ASDC Appoints Prasanna Pahade as Chief Executive Officer

The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) has appointed Prasanna Pahade as its Chief Executive Officer, effective August 3, 2026.

Pahade, who brings over 25 years of experience across the automotive, manufacturing, logistics, and engineering sectors, succeeds Arindam Lahiri, who held the executive position since 2019. Pahade previously held executive positions at Mahindra Logistics, Tata Strategic Management Group, and Voltas, and co-founded the startup Making Champs. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the College of Engineering, Pune, and a postgraduate diploma in management from IIM Calcutta.

ASDC Chairperson Vinkesh Gulati stated that Pahade's appointment comes as the automotive sector faces structural transitions toward automation, digital integration, and electric mobility. In his new role, Pahade will oversee industry-led training standards, academic partnerships, and skill certification initiatives aligned with the national Skill India Mission.