GURGRAM. The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), in collaboration with the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Ministry of Defence, inaugurated its fourth “Directors’ Certification in Corporate Governance” for senior and recently retired Armed Forces officers on March 9, 2026. Held at the IICA Manesar campus, the two-week program is designed to transition military leaders into corporate roles, specifically preparing them for effective board memberships and independent director positions in both public and private sector companies.
During the ceremony, Air Marshal B. Manikantan (PVSM, AVSM, VM) highlighted the unique value—such as high-stakes decision-making and integrity—that veteran officers bring to the corporate world. Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General & CEO of IICA, emphasized the institute’s role in advancing India’s ESG standards and trust-based regulation. He noted the strong alignment between military values and the expectations of “India Inc.,” encouraging greater representation of defence professionals on corporate boards.
Expert insights were also shared by Ms. Monica Agrawal, Chairperson & Country Head of Sheffield Haworth, who provided a roadmap for officers to position themselves for board appointments. The academic foundation for the session was set by Dr Niraj Gupta, Head of the School of Corporate Governance & Public Policy, while Dr. Anindita Chakrabarti, Principal Research Associate at IICA, coordinated the proceedings. The program aims to leverage the vast experience of the services in fields like cyber security and project management for corporate excellence.
