The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), the apex body responsible for driving skill development in India’s automotive sector, has announced two key leadership appointments aimed at strengthening the country’s workforce readiness for next-generation mobility. Mr. Prabhu Nagaraj, Operating Head – Corporate Affairs at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), has been appointed Vice Chairperson, while Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey, Former CEO of Tata Green Batteries and a Governing Council Member of ASDC, has taken charge as Treasurer.
Strengthening Leadership for a Transforming Mobility Sector
The appointments come at a critical juncture as India’s automotive industry undergoes rapid transformation driven by electrification, digitalisation, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing technologies. ASDC plays a pivotal role in aligning industry requirements with skill development initiatives, and the induction of two seasoned industry leaders is expected to further accelerate this mission.
Prabhu Nagaraj Brings Nearly 35 Years of Automotive Expertise
With close to 35 years of experience in the automotive industry, Mr. Prabhu Nagaraj has made significant contributions across customer service, brand and corporate strategy, motorsports, road safety, and public policy advocacy. In his current role at HMSI, he has been actively involved in industry representation and policy engagement.
Mr. Nagaraj also serves as Co-Chair of the SIAM Skilling Group and is a core group member under the Ministry of Heavy Industry for key national initiatives such as the Automotive Mission Plan III and the Augmenting Tool Rooms for the Auto Sector program. His appointment as Vice Chairperson is expected to strengthen ASDC’s strategic direction as the mobility ecosystem shifts toward electric vehicles, connected technologies, and greener solutions.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Nagaraj said skilling would remain central to India’s mobility transition. “As the automotive sector undergoes unprecedented change, building future-ready competencies will be critical. I look forward to working closely with industry, government, and training partners to support India’s mobility transformation,” he said.
Rama Shankar Pandey to Steer Financial and Strategic Direction
Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey brings over 28 years of leadership experience spanning the automotive and auto-component sectors. Formerly the CEO of Tata Green Batteries, he has been a strong advocate for technician empowerment, road safety, and customer rights. His contributions through leading industry bodies such as FICCI, CII, and ACMA have been instrumental in advancing industry best practices.
As Treasurer, Mr. Pandey’s financial and strategic expertise is expected to reinforce ASDC’s governance framework and support the expansion of skilling initiatives aligned with green mobility, emerging technologies, and industry-led certification programs.
Reflecting on his appointment, Mr. Pandey emphasized the need to make skills aspirational in India. “We must move beyond an obsession with degrees and designations and instead celebrate skills, dignity of purpose, and hands-on expertise as the true identity of our workforce,” he said during ASDC’s first Governing Council meeting.
ASDC Chairperson Welcomes New Appointments
Welcoming the new leadership, Mr. Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson, ASDC, said the inclusion of two senior industry professionals would significantly strengthen the Council’s mission. “Their combined experience across manufacturing, sustainability, road safety, skilling, and industry policy will play a crucial role in shaping a future-ready automotive workforce for India,” he said.
Driving India’s Automotive Skilling Ecosystem Forward
With these strategic appointments, ASDC aims to further enhance its role as a key enabler of India’s automotive skilling ecosystem. The Council continues to focus on preparing a skilled workforce capable of supporting the nation’s ambitions in electric mobility, advanced automotive technologies, and sustainable transportation, reinforcing India’s position as a global automotive manufacturing and innovation hub.
Click Here to get the latest EV news and exclusive updates from EV Mechanica on WhatsApp!