IICA Launches 11th Batch of CSR Professional Programme
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, marked a significant milestone on August 21, 2026, with the inauguration of the 11th Batch of its Certified CSR Professional Programme. This virtual event attracted 45 participants from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), corporate sectors, government institutions, academia, and civil society, all eager to enhance their skills in corporate social responsibility.
The session commenced with a Welcome Address from Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General and CEO of IICA. He emphasized the critical shift CSR needs, moving from mere expenditure to creating genuine impacts and adding value to communities. Citing statistics presented in Parliament, he highlighted that CSR spending in India reached ₹34,908.75 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24, resulting in a total spend exceeding ₹1,44,159 crore over the past five years. He urged a stronger focus on underutilized areas like women’s empowerment, innovation, and the arts, while noting the importance of technology in enhancing transparency between corporations and the communities they serve.
Importance of Community-Centric CSR
Smt. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Coal, shared insights from the coal sector, stressing that effective CSR begins with understanding community needs. She advocated for solid project design, effective partners, and consistent monitoring to gauge real community benefits. Smt. Brar called for enhancing the capabilities of implementing agencies and better social auditing frameworks to ensure CSR efforts yield substantive results. She also acknowledged IICA’s collaboration with the Ministry of Coal to establish a comprehensive CSR framework focusing on measurable outcomes.
Strategic Direction for CPSEs
Shri Lucas L. Kamsuan, Joint Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises, pointed out the vital role CPSEs play in social development through their CSR initiatives. He outlined DPE’s strategies for guiding these enterprises in aligning CSR activities with national priorities and fostering collaboration across various sectors. According to him, CPSEs are now adopting thematic approaches, ensuring their CSR initiatives resonate with broader sustainability goals and can serve as examples for the larger ecosystem.
Innovative Learning in CSR
Dr. Garima Dadhich, Head of the School of Business Environment at IICA, detailed the structure of the nine-month certification program. The course will feature weekly sessions facilitated by a diverse group of faculty from academia and industry, covering essential aspects of CSR, including its legal framework, governance, project planning, and impact assessment, along with contemporary topics like ESG and the Social Stock Exchange.
The inauguration of the ICPCSR Batch 11 illustrates IICA’s commitment to cultivating a proficient community of CSR professionals. These efforts are designed to support a transparent, accountable, and effective CSR landscape, ultimately benefiting various communities across India.
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