The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), in partnership with the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Ministry of Defence, concluded the fourth batch of the Directors' Certification in Corporate Governance for Defence Officers on 20 March 2026 at the IICA campus in Manesar, Gurugram. The two-week certification programme included 30 senior officers from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces. Since its inception in August 2024 the programme has trained 120 officers across four batches.

The programme aimed to equip officers to transfer military leadership skills to the corporate domain and familiarise them with legal and regulatory frameworks governing companies, the responsibilities of Independent Directors, financial oversight, risk management, environmental, social and governance principles, and fiduciary duties. Interactions with practitioners and serving Independent Directors were organised to provide practical insight into corporate leadership. The curriculum combined theoretical modules with case discussions to support governance transitions.

The certificate ceremony on 19 March 2026 was attended by Sukriti Likhi, Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), as chief guest, and was chaired by Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. Dr Niraj Gupta, Head of the School of Corporate Governance and Public Policy at IICA and programme director, set the thematic context at the outset. Dr Anindita Chakrabarti, Principal Research Associate, led the proceedings during the course.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of IICA said the programme provided technical knowledge and the opportunity to build a professional network of corporate leaders, practitioners and peers to support transitions into corporate roles. The Secretary of DESW commended the collaboration between IICA and DGR in creating post-retirement pathways and praised IICA's academic leadership in preparing officers for governance responsibilities. She placed the initiative within the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and emphasised that the movement of military leaders into corporate governance represented a continuation of national service. The contribution of disciplined strategic thinking and commitment to integrity by these officers was expected to strengthen organisations and institutions.