Manesar, Gurugram | May 16, 2025 — The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), in collaboration with the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), successfully concluded the second edition of its flagship Certification Program on Independent Directorship for senior defence officers. The program was held from May 5 to May 16, 2025, at the IICA Campus in Manesar, Gurugram.
The two-week intensive training program was attended by 30 senior officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including high-ranking officials such as Air Marshals, Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, Air Vice Marshals, Major Generals, Brigadiers, Colonels, and Group Captains.
Valedictory Session Highlights
The valedictory session was chaired by Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General and CEO of IICA, with special addresses by Lt. Gen. SBK Singh, SM, Director General, DGR, and Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan.
The speakers highlighted the synergy between armed forces leadership and corporate governance, emphasizing that values such as ethics, discipline, and integrity—core to military service—are also fundamental to corporate governance and boardroom leadership. They reiterated that such programs empower veterans to become changemakers in India’s evolving corporate landscape.
Role of Veterans in Corporate Governance
Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh emphasized the critical role that ex-servicemen can play in India’s corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystems, drawing attention to the potential for veterans to drive efficiency, productivity, and nation-building initiatives, particularly in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat. He also underlined the importance of engaging veterans in MSME development and entrepreneurship, fostering employment and sustainable growth.
Academic Contributions and Curriculum
Dr. Niraj Gupta, Head of the School of Corporate Governance and Public Policy at IICA, addressed the participants, acknowledging their commitment despite operational responsibilities. He explained that the program aimed to:
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Provide conceptual and regulatory grounding in corporate governance
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Clarify the roles and responsibilities of Independent Directors
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Enable meaningful contribution to corporate boards and governance structures
The certification ceremony and program coordination were conducted by Dr. Anindita Chakrabarti, Principal Research Associate, and CS Asheesh Kumar, Senior Research Associate at IICA.
A Continuing Commitment to Good Governance
IICA continues to serve as a center of excellence and knowledge partner in corporate affairs, acting as a bridge between regulators, corporates, government bodies, and civil society. This program reaffirms IICA’s commitment to promoting responsible business practices and inclusive governance in India.