The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), in partnership with the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Ministry of Defence, inaugurated the Fifth Batch of its Directors' Certification in Corporate Governance for Defence Officers on 13th July 2026 at the IICA Campus in Manesar, Gurugram. The two-week certification program brings together 30 senior officers representing all three services of the Indian Armed Forces, specifically designed to orient participants with conceptual and regulatory frameworks of corporate governance to prepare them for leadership and Independent Director roles on corporate boards.
Lt Gen Sanjay Sethi highlighted the significance of the transition from military to corporate service, emphasizing the unique value defence officers bring through their experience in high-stakes decision-making, institutional leadership, and integrity. He noted that defence personnel bring a deeply ingrained sense of ethics, strict accountability for outcomes, and a rigorous approach to risk management developed in high-pressure environments.
Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General & CEO of IICA, reported that since its inception in August 2024, the program has successfully trained 120 defence officers over four batches, with the current batch bringing the total to 150 officers. He emphasized that modern boards are expected to look beyond regulatory compliance and adopt an active, questioning approach toward organizational strategies, noting that governance failures often result from ordinary questions not being asked.
Shri Singh highlighted recent Ministry of Corporate Affairs reforms including the establishment of the Central Registration Centre (CRC) and Central Processing Centre (CPC) for centralized processing of corporate filings, integration of incorporation forms into single filing, simplified name-reservation rules, operationalization of the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) for faster voluntary closure of companies, and extended lighter compliance requirements for start-ups and MSMEs alongside continued decriminalization of procedural offenses under the Companies Act.
On emerging priorities, the DG & CEO identified Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations as critical, noting that SEBI's Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework makes non-financial reporting mandatory for regulated entities. He also identified cyberspace and technology-related risks as other critical areas demanding increased board attention. Gp Capt Susanta Biswas, VSM, representing the Directorate of Training-DGR, emphasized the strong continuing association between DGR and IICA in building corporate capacity for transitioning officers.