Canara Bank names Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia interim MD and CEO from Jan 2026

Canara Bank has appointed Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis, effective January 1, 2026, following the superannuation of incumbent MD and CEO K. Satyanarayana Raju.

The appointment was made through a notification issued by the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance on December 30, 2025, the bank said in a regulatory disclosure.

Ahluwalia, who currently serves as Executive Director at Canara Bank, will hold additional charge of the top role for a period of three months, until March 31, 2026, or until a regular incumbent is appointed, whichever is earlier.

A career banker with more than three decades of experience, Ahluwalia has handled assignments across business verticals and regions. His background spans credit, operations, risk management and strategic leadership, with overseas exposure that includes stints in international banking operations in Hong Kong.

The interim arrangement is intended to ensure continuity at the helm of the state-owned lender during the leadership transition. Canara Bank is among India’s largest public sector banks, with a nationwide footprint and a growing focus on retail lending, digital banking and asset quality improvement.

The leadership change comes at a time when public sector banks are navigating tighter regulatory scrutiny, rising competition from private lenders and fintechs, and increasing expectations around technology-led efficiency.

The government is expected to initiate the process of appointing a full-time MD and CEO in the coming months. Until then, Ahluwalia will steer the bank through the transition as it continues to pursue its growth and transformation priorities.