The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), in partnership with the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Ministry of Defence, inaugurated the fourth batch of its Directors' Certification in Corporate Governance for defence officers on nine March 2026 at the IICA campus in Manesar, Gurugram. The two-week programme brings together senior officers, both serving and recently superannuated, from the three services of the Indian Armed Forces. It aims to familiarise participants with corporate governance fundamentals and to prepare them for board roles in public and private sector companies.

The programme is designed to develop an understanding of the conceptual and regulatory framework that governs board responsibilities, compliance and oversight. Participants are equipped with knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of an Independent Director, enabling them to contribute to corporate boards by drawing on military experience in leadership, strategy, information technology, cyber security and project management. Sessions include case studies, interactive discussions and practical guidance on governance practice and stakeholder engagement.

Air Marshal B. Manikantan emphasised the significance of the transition from military to corporate service and the distinctive value that senior defence officers bring to boardrooms through experience in high-stakes decision-making, institutional leadership and integrity. The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of IICA outlined the directions of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to advance corporate disclosure frameworks, align domestic norms with global environmental, social and governance standards and provide recommendations on board-level ESG oversight. He reiterated IICA's commitment to supporting trust-based regulation and measures to reduce undue compliance burden while promoting good governance.

A special address by Monica Agrawal reflected on evolving board expectations, selection criteria and practical pathways for senior defence officers to position themselves for independent directorship roles. Dr Niraj Gupta provided the welcome and thematic exposition on the landscape of corporate governance and its intersections with public and military governance. Dr Anindita Chakrabarti steered the proceedings.