What is Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs?

IICA full form is Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India, established the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. This institute provides training, research and support services to stakeholders in corporate governance, compliance and business regulation. It plays an important role in promoting ethical business practices, increasing corporate responsibility and strengthening regulatory frameworks within India.

What is IICA?

IICA full form is Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. IICA, the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, was established in 2008. On September 12 2008, it was officially registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The Government of India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs oversees the institute. IICA is a think tank that backs the Ministry's efforts on all corporate affairs-related issues. Public policy advisory roles, capacity-building and training programs, induction and in-service training for Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) officers, public outreach, and stakeholder consultations through forums, conferences, and seminars are some of the main activities that IICA conducts.

Some of the more recent, well-known initiatives led by the institute include anticipating corporate needs for better ease of doing business, reviewing corporate laws to meet the challenges of a constantly changing business environment, investigating new paradigms like investor education, and periodically reviewing corporate governance norms and best practices.

Schools & Centres of IICA

IICA provides instruction and training through a wide network of schools and centers.:

• Schools: School of Corporate Governance & Public Policy (SoCGPP); School of Competition Law & Market Regulation (SoCLMR); School of Corporate Law (SoCL) & School of Finance (SoF).

• Centres: Centre for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME); Centre for Business Innovation, Incubation & Skill Development (BIISD); Centre for Institutional Partnerships and Corporate Communications (IPCC), Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CESD), Centre for Insolvency and Bankruptcy, Centre for Independent Directors & National Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility (NFCSR).

Courses Offered by IICA

IICA offers the following courses:

• Startup Board Certification Program

• Capacity Building Program

• IICA Certified Mediator Program

• IICA Director's Certificate Course in Corporate Governance

• Certificate Course in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Laws & Procedures

• National Capacity Building Mission for - Banks, NBFCs and Financial Institutions in Financing SME - Corporate & Emerging Sectors Enterprises

• Capacity Building Program - Navigating Procurement via Government e Marketplace (GeM), Strategic Contracts in Procurement - Negotiation, Enforcement & Dispute Resolution

• Advanced Professional Course in Competition Law & Market Regulations

Mission and Objectives of IICA

Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) has the following mission and objectives:

• Serve as a Government Think Tank: Provide comprehensive, forward-looking advice to the Government on all matters related to corporate affairs, including legislation, policy, governance, regulation, and coordination across disciplines, keeping in mind current trends and future developments.

• Create a Collaborative Platform: Establish a proactive space for dialogue and joint action among the Government, industry leaders, academic institutions, professionals, investors, civil society, and other stakeholders to improve corporate governance and guide businesses in tackling present challenges and future opportunities.

• Build Human Capital: Function as the training hub for Indian Company Law Service officers and enhance the capabilities of MCA personnel, corporate professionals, and other stakeholders to better contribute to India’s corporate and economic development.

• Introduce ‘Corporate Affairs’ as a Discipline: Develop and institutionalize a multidisciplinary academic field called 'Corporate Affairs' covering law, management, finance, taxation, CSR, technology, and sustainability. Offer educational programs to nurture future corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, regulators, and policymakers equipped to handle complex global challenges.

• Pioneer a 21st-Century Corporate Institute: Transform IICA into a cutting-edge institute capable of anticipating future trends, innovating educational approaches, and prioritizing self-directed learning over traditional teaching models to shape the business and regulatory environment of tomorrow.

• Ensure Financial Independence: Adopt strategies to achieve complete financial self-sufficiency, thereby enhancing operational autonomy and maintaining objective decision-making.

• Promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Encourage and support innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation especially within small and medium enterprises by offering resources such as opportunity mapping, venture capital facilitation, incubation support, capacity building, and international collaborations for mutual strengths.

• Offer Research and Consultancy Services: Provide high-quality research, consultancy, and information services to stakeholders, including central and state governments, corporations, professionals, investors, and company directors.

• Develop an Advanced Knowledge Management System: Build a dynamic and evolving system to collect, manage, and disseminate data and knowledge on corporate affairs, both Indian and global, for easy and fast access by stakeholders.

• Establish a Global Intellectual Network: Set up virtual and physical networks with top global institutions, experts, and think tanks to synergize cutting-edge ideas and support corporate innovation and leadership through IICA centres in India and abroad.

• Foster Ethical and Inclusive Business Practices: Promote ethical governance, inclusive business practices, and entrepreneurial excellence. Support socially responsible enterprises and offer frameworks for investor education, protection, and grievance redressal.

• Support E-Governance Initiatives: Assist government efforts in advancing e-governance to improve regulatory structures, service delivery, data security, and implementation of digital registries and systems under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

Conclusion

IICA is an educational institution under the leadership of MCA. It was founded in 2018, and is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It provides certification courses to  professionals, students and corporate executives in areas like corporate governance, competition law, insolvency and financial/business laws. Some IICA courses are Startup Board Certification Program, Capacity Building Program, IICA Certified Mediator Program, IICA Director's Certificate Course in Corporate Governance and Certificate Course in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Laws & Procedure.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is IICA meaning?

A. IICA stands for Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. This institute is an autonomous organization under the MCA of the Indian govt. It provides training, research and support in areas related to corporate regulation as well as governance and compliance. 

Q2. When did the Indian Government establish IICA?

A. The Indian Government established IICA on 12 September 2008

Q3. Who is the Director General and CEO of IICA?

A. As of 7 May 2025, Mr. Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh is the Director General and CEO of IICA.

Q4. Who is the DG Secretariat of IICA?

A. Lokesh Kumar and Sundeep Kumar are the DG Secretariats of IICA.

Q5. Who appoints Director General of IICA?

A.  The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), a high-level committee within the Government of India, appoints IICA Director General.

Q6. IICA’s establishment was done under which Act?

A. IICA was established under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

Q7. Does IICA offer courses for directors?

A. Yes, IICA offers “Director’s Certification Program in Corporate Governance” for the directors.

Q8. What is the IICA Certified Mediator Program?

A. IICA Certified Mediator Program is a course curated by IICA to create the future mediation professionals who can deliver at the global level.

Author: Manish Kumar

I’m Manish Kumar, a content management specialist. I simplify complex financial and regulatory topics into clear, insightful content. As a regular contributor to the Registrationwala portal, I provide updates on finance, Tax, government schemes, compliance, and other incorporation information. My goal is to keep you informed about key industry developments and their impact.