The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), backed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has launched a structured initiative to define the evolving role of public policy professionals and strengthen capacity-building frameworks at the intersection of business and government, according to an official statement released on Saturday, 14 November 2026. The move follows a stakeholder consultation convened in New Delhi that brought together more than 50 senior representatives from across industry, academia, and government.

Who Was in the Room

The consultation drew senior government officials, corporate executives, policy experts, academics, and industry representatives from listed and multinational companies, consulting firms, think tanks, industry associations, civil society organisations, and government departments. The breadth of participation signals that the initiative is intended to carry cross-sectoral weight, not merely reflect IICA's institutional interests.

IICA Director General and Chief Executive Officer Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of sustained engagement between governments and businesses. He said stronger institutional capacity can support more informed policy dialogue and decision-making.

Key Findings from the Consultation

Former senior bureaucrats and corporate leaders at the consultation called for closer collaboration between regulators and industry, greater predictability in policymaking, and the development of professionals capable of bridging the public and private sectors. Participants observed that public policy functions within organisations are shifting away from traditional government liaison roles toward becoming strategic advisory functions — helping companies assess regulatory developments, manage stakeholder relationships, and contribute meaningfully to policy discussions.

The consultation mapped a range of competencies identified as essential for policy professionals: an understanding of government decision-making processes, economic analysis, data-driven reasoning, risk assessment, and stakeholder management. Experts also highlighted the need to balance corporate objectives with broader public interest considerations.

What Training Models Were Recommended

On the education and skill development front, participants recommended multidisciplinary and case-based training programmes, flexible learning models designed for working professionals, and internship opportunities within government institutions to build practical, on-the-ground experience. The emphasis on flexible delivery reflects the reality that most potential beneficiaries of such programmes are mid-career professionals who cannot step away from full-time roles.

Roadmap and What Comes Next

According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the deliberations concluded with a roadmap for collaboration between IICA, industry bodies, and academic institutions to support the professionalisation of public policy and corporate affairs roles. The roadmap reflects the growing recognition that these functions are no longer peripheral to corporate strategy — they are increasingly central to how organisations navigate regulatory environments and contribute to national development goals. Detailed implementation timelines for the proposed training pathways and institutional partnerships have not yet been announced publicly.