Guided by Integrity, Fueled by a Passion for Justice
Sanjayu Nair
Vice President (Legal)
National Stock Exchange of India Limited
The path to success is often filled with unexpected twists, but sometimes, it’s the unplanned decisions that lead to the most rewarding outcomes. For Sanjayu Nair, Vice President (Legal) at the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), a casual suggestion to explore law led to a rewarding career. Coming from a musically inclined family in Alleppey, Kerala, law wasn’t his initial ambition. However, his career evolved through key roles at financial institutions like Kotak Securities, Motilal Oswal, and ICICI Bank, where he honed his expertise in regulatory compliance, litigation, acquisitions, and corporate governance. Before joining NSE, Sanjayu served as Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Legal at Kotak Securities, where he took on the additional responsibility of managing regulatory compliance. Today, Sanjayu holds a critical role at the National Stock Exchange, where his legal expertise directly influences the institution’s stability and credibility. As the backbone of legal strategy, he navigates complex regulatory frameworks and legal intricacies, ensuring the NSE’s operations align with stringent financial laws and compliance standards. In this exclusive interview with TradeFlock, he spoke about his unconventional journey, shared valuable insights into his leadership, discussed the challenges of modern regulatory frameworks, and outlined his vision for the future of the legal profession in the financial sector.
How has your journey shaped you as a leader in the legal industry? What key milestones stand out for you?
My journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with unexpected turns and invaluable lessons. Like many children, I was fascinated by courtroom dramas in movies, but becoming a lawyer wasn’t on the radar. After completing 12th grade, while many friends went into engineering, medicine, or accounting, I found myself unsure of my career path. However, I decided to pursue law at the suggestion of my father’s friends in the legal industry. It was an unplanned choice, but soon I realised that —
“The path to excellence isn’t always planned, but it’s driven by curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a desire to push beyond your comfort zone.”
In 1997, I enrolled as a lawyer and learned everything from civil to criminal disputes. After seven years of learning under senior lawyers, I began my independent practice in 2004. I still remember how humbly it all started—just a few clients who were more like friends than cases. One of the critical milestones was when I cleared a national-level exam for a Law Officer at the Federal Bank, a move that gave me my first taste of corporate law. Later, joining ICICI Bank and leading their legal team in Gujarat opened up a world of possibilities. Handling a large team and being the key decision-maker for legal matters across the region was a tremendous responsibility. That role taught me how to combine legal expertise with people management and strategic thinking. These moments laid the foundation for where I stand today at NSE.
How do you ensure that the legal frameworks keep up with the technological advancements in the financial sector?
Technology is reshaping every industry, and the financial sector is no exception. At NSE, we are using cutting-edge technologies like AI to streamline operations, but we are careful to implement them ethically and within the framework of the law. One thing that keeps me grounded is the realisation that technology is a tool; it doesn’t have a mind of its own. It’s up to us to create clear, precise rules to ensure that they are used correctly. In this rapidly evolving sector, my approach is simple—create strong legal frameworks first, then introduce the technology. It’s the only way to ensure that as technology advances, it doesn’t outpace the law. Every rule we implement must be clear about what is acceptable and what isn’t so that technology doesn’t create more grey areas.
What challenges do you face in your current role at NSE, and how do you tackle them?
One of the greatest challenges I face at NSE is simplifying the complex legal frameworks that exist today. The language of the law has historically been dense, often creating confusion for those who are not legal professionals. I believe that laws should be written in a way that the common man can understand. In my role, I’m constantly working to make legal frameworks more accessible and relatable. I often ask myself, why should laws be so complex? The simpler we make it, the easier it becomes to follow. This is something I’ve been passionate about—breaking down these barriers so everyone, from financial institutions to individual investors, can have a clearer understanding of what’s required. It’s about making compliance a shared responsibility rather than a burden.
What are some of your most important lessons throughout your career?
My most valuable lesson is the importance of integrity and fairness. It’s easy to get caught up in defending your side, but a good lawyer must recognise when the opposition is right. Even if your organisation has a strong case, it’s crucial to acknowledge when they are in the wrong. For me, the job is not just about winning—it’s about ensuring justice. I’ve always believed that our role as legal professionals extends beyond our clients; it’s about contributing to the larger good of society. One of the milestones that really shaped my perspective was at ICICI Bank, where I had the unique experience of working closely with customers in rural Gujarat. It wasn’t just about legal work—it was about understanding their struggles and stepping outside the traditional corporate role to help them. There, I learned that –
“A good lawyer doesn’t just fight to win, he fights to uphold what’s right.”
It taught me that the human side of law is just as important as the technical side. This belief has guided me in every role I’ve held since.
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