Good corporate governance central to India's growth: Dr Jitendra Singh
Synopsis
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh put corporate governance at the centre of India's development agenda in a high-level meeting with ICSI, calling on Company Secretaries to go beyond compliance and actively shape ethical, accountable institutions — from boardrooms to panchayats.
Key Takeaways
Dr Jitendra Singh met a delegation from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) in New Delhi on 28 August .
He declared that 'good corporate governance is central to India's development' and urged greater contribution from Company Secretaries .
The minister appreciated ICSI 's initiatives in panchayat governance , local-body governance , and multilingual training materials.
He praised the institute's digitalisation efforts, including electronic voting and a preferential voting system for its elections.
The interaction covered ICSI 's secretarial standards, professional standards, and its Lifetime Achievement Award for corporate governance excellence.
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday, 28 August asserted that 'good corporate governance is central to India's development,' calling on Company Secretaries to deepen their contribution to the country's economic growth. The remarks came during a structured interaction with a delegation from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) in New Delhi.
Key Developments
Dr Singh stressed that the professional expertise of Company Secretaries can play a decisive role in strengthening governance practices across India's corporate and economic ecosystem, according to a ministry statement. He underscored the expanding responsibilities of the profession at a time when institutional accountability is under sharper public scrutiny.
The minister also highlighted the critical importance of building a stronger culture of ethical entrepreneurship and sound governance, noting that professional bodies such as the ICSI are well-positioned to raise governance standards and drive institutional excellence.
ICSI Initiatives Recognised
Dr Singh specifically appreciated the ICSI's outreach beyond the corporate sector, including its initiatives in panchayat governance and local-body governance. He commended the institute's efforts to prepare manuals and training materials in multiple languages — a step he described as essential for inclusive governance capacity-building at the grassroots level.
The minister also praised the institute's push towards digitalisation of institutional processes, including the adoption of electronic voting and a preferential voting system for its internal elections — moves he said reflect the kind of procedural modernisation professional bodies must embrace.
On Professional Excellence and Accountability
Dr Singh emphasised that professionals in the corporate sector carry a significant responsibility in promoting responsible governance, ethical practices, and institutional accountability. He called on professional bodies to continuously evolve their standards in response to changing regulatory and economic requirements.
The minister also underscored the importance of formally recognising and encouraging organisations and individuals that demonstrate excellence in corporate governance — signalling support for award and certification frameworks that incentivise best practices.
Broader Agenda Discussed
The interaction covered a range of ICSI programmes, including its work on professional standards, secretarial standards, and corporate governance frameworks. The institute's Lifetime Achievement Award for Translating Excellence in Corporate Governance into Reality was also discussed during the meeting.
As India accelerates regulatory reforms and pushes for greater ease of doing business, the role of Company Secretaries in bridging compliance, governance, and ethical practice is expected to grow further in the coming years.
Point of View
However, remains to be seen. India's governance deficits are most acute below the district level, and professional bodies have historically struggled to sustain engagement in that space beyond pilot programmes.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Dr Jitendra Singh say about corporate governance in India?
Dr Jitendra Singh stated that 'good corporate governance is central to India's development' during a meeting with an ICSI delegation on 28 August in New Delhi. He called on Company Secretaries to strengthen governance practices across India's corporate and economic ecosystem.
What is the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)?
The ICSI is India's apex professional body for Company Secretaries, responsible for setting secretarial and corporate governance standards. It also undertakes initiatives in areas such as panchayat governance, digitalisation of institutional processes, and multilingual training.
Why did Dr Jitendra Singh praise ICSI's panchayat governance work?
The minister highlighted ICSI's efforts in panchayat and local-body governance as an example of professional bodies extending their impact beyond the corporate sector. He appreciated the preparation of manuals and training materials in multiple languages as essential for grassroots governance capacity-building.
What digitalisation steps has ICSI taken that the minister appreciated?
Dr Singh praised ICSI's adoption of electronic voting and a preferential voting system for its internal elections, describing these as the kind of procedural modernisation that professional institutions must embrace.
What is the ICSI Lifetime Achievement Award discussed at the meeting?
The ICSI Lifetime Achievement Award for Translating Excellence in Corporate Governance into Reality recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to corporate governance standards. It was among the topics discussed during the minister's interaction with the ICSI delegation.
