Karnataka Bank has announced the resignation of Niranjan Kumar, its chief human resources officer, who stepped down effective close of business hours on 25 May, 2026. The development marks a significant leadership change within the bank’s senior management team.
According to the bank’s regulatory filing, Kumar resigned on personal grounds through a letter dated 14 May, 2026. Following completion of internal formalities, he will cease to be part of the bank’s senior management structure.
Kumar joined Karnataka Bank in June 2024 as CHRO and spent close to two years leading the people function. During his tenure, he briefly held additional charge as head-branch banking in late 2025, reflecting a broader leadership mandate within the organisation.
Before joining Karnataka Bank, he spent over 17 years with HDFC Bank, where he progressed through multiple leadership positions. His most recent assignments included head HRBP and lead corporate HRBP roles, overseeing HR strategy for businesses such as wealth, virtual banking, NRI and overseas operations. Earlier, as regional H
Head HR for South and East, he led several HR portfolios across a long tenure spanning more than 15 years.
Earlier in his career, he worked with Apollo Global Projects Consultancy, where he handled HR responsibilities and helped commission business units across Asia and the Middle East.
A Harvard Business School alumnus, Niranjkumar completed the Senior Executive Leadership Programme in Organisational Leadership and also holds a Master of Social Work degree from PSG College.
His exit comes at a time when banks continue investing heavily in HR transformation, leadership capability and talent systems amid changing workforce expectations.
