+
NCRBC 2025 Opens, Calls For Indigenous ESG Frameworks
ECONOMY & POLICY

NCRBC 2025 Opens, Calls For Indigenous ESG Frameworks

The third National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC 2025) began on 2 July at New Delhi’s Taj Palace, convened by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs under the theme “Integrating ESG for Viksit Bharat”. Inaugurating the two day meeting, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways Harsh Malhotra told more than 300 senior corporate leaders, ESG professionals and international delegates that India is moving from “regulatory prosecution to trust based governance”, with responsible conduct now central to business strategy.

Malhotra highlighted milestones such as the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct, mandatory Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting, and the rollout of MCA21 Version 3.0. He urged companies—from start ups to listed entities—to embed conscience alongside compliance.

Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, warned against importing “subjective” foreign ESG metrics, arguing for context specific indicators aligned with Indian priorities. UNICEF India representative Cynthia McCaffrey said ESG frameworks must protect children and families, calling them “the youngest and most vulnerable stakeholders”.

IICA Director General Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh emphasised the need for home grown frameworks, while Prof Garima Dadhich, head of IICA’s School of Business Environment, noted that NCRBC has evolved “from awareness to action”.

Day 1 featured four panels examining ESG in boardrooms, sustainable finance, EU due diligence rules and the future workforce. Regulators and industry leaders from bodies such as SEBI, NABARD, India INX and the Competition Commission of India discussed fiduciary duties, green finance and skills for low carbon jobs.

Day 2 will delve into decarbonising industry, sector specific ESG adoption, aligning BRSR with global standards and building resilient supply chains. Ambassadors from key partner countries will join a diplomatic panel on multilateral co operation. 

Supported by UNICEF, ICAI, ACCA, ILO and others, the conference positions responsible business conduct as vital to India’s ambition of becoming a developed, inclusive and ethically grounded nation by 2047.

The third National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC 2025) began on 2 July at New Delhi’s Taj Palace, convened by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs under the theme “Integrating ESG for Viksit Bharat”. Inaugurating the two day meeting, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways Harsh Malhotra told more than 300 senior corporate leaders, ESG professionals and international delegates that India is moving from “regulatory prosecution to trust based governance”, with responsible conduct now central to business strategy.Malhotra highlighted milestones such as the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct, mandatory Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting, and the rollout of MCA21 Version 3.0. He urged companies—from start ups to listed entities—to embed conscience alongside compliance.Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, warned against importing “subjective” foreign ESG metrics, arguing for context specific indicators aligned with Indian priorities. UNICEF India representative Cynthia McCaffrey said ESG frameworks must protect children and families, calling them “the youngest and most vulnerable stakeholders”.IICA Director General Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh emphasised the need for home grown frameworks, while Prof Garima Dadhich, head of IICA’s School of Business Environment, noted that NCRBC has evolved “from awareness to action”.Day 1 featured four panels examining ESG in boardrooms, sustainable finance, EU due diligence rules and the future workforce. Regulators and industry leaders from bodies such as SEBI, NABARD, India INX and the Competition Commission of India discussed fiduciary duties, green finance and skills for low carbon jobs.Day 2 will delve into decarbonising industry, sector specific ESG adoption, aligning BRSR with global standards and building resilient supply chains. Ambassadors from key partner countries will join a diplomatic panel on multilateral co operation. Supported by UNICEF, ICAI, ACCA, ILO and others, the conference positions responsible business conduct as vital to India’s ambition of becoming a developed, inclusive and ethically grounded nation by 2047.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Indian Railways Sanctions 237 Projects Worth Rs 1.9 Trn

The Indian Railways has sanctioned 237 projects (including 40 new lines, 17 gauge conversions, and 180 doubling schemes) totalling 9,703 km at an estimated Rs 1.90 trillion since FY23, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Parliament.Additionally, 892 route surveys covering 61,462 km have been sanctioned during this period. The pace of track commissioning has increased, with 34,428 km added from 2014–2025, compared to 7,599 km from 2009–2014.This acceleration is credited to the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which has improved project coordination and reduced costs through better survey met..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Kernex Wins Rs 21 Crore Kavach Safety Upgrade Contract

Kernex Microsystems (India) Ltd has secured a Rs 21.03 crore order from South Central Railways to upgrade the Kavach automatic train protection (ATP) system on the Bidar–Parli Vaijnath section.The contract, awarded to the Kernex–VRRC JV, involves upgrading Kavach from Version 3.2 to 4.0 along the route between Sadashivpet Road and Parbhani. The stations themselves are excluded from the scope.The project is expected to be completed within 24 months. Kavach is India’s indigenous ATP system aimed at enhancing train safety by preventing collisions and signal-passing incidents. ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

MAHSR Corridor from Maha to Sabarmati to Complete by 2029

The entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor is expected to be operational by December 2029, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha. The Gujarat segment from Vapi to Sabarmati is slated for completion by December 2027.Covering 508 km and passing through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, the project includes 12 stations. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81% (Rs 88,000 crore) of the total Rs 1,08,000 crore cost, with the rest shared by the Railways and the two state governments.As of June 30, a cumulative Rs 78,839 crore..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?