Good governance is 'invisible infrastructure' sustaining investor trust: VP Radhakrishnan at ICSI foundation day
Synopsis
At ICSI’s 58th Foundation Day in New Delhi, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan reframed good governance not as a regulatory checkbox but as ‘invisible infrastructure’ — as essential to India’s growth story as roads and broadband. His call for Company Secretaries to hold the line on integrity in an AI-driven era adds a pointed dimension to the profession’s evolving role.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan addressed the ICSI 58th Foundation Day at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 4 October 2026 .
He described good governance as the ‘invisible infrastructure’ sustaining investor confidence and public trust.
Company Secretaries were called the ‘guardians of governance’ and the nucleus of India Inc’s trust architecture.
Radhakrishnan launched the MSME Compliance Calendar 2027 and appreciated the ICSI MSME and Start-up Catalyst initiative.
He stressed that while AI transforms decision-making, integrity and accountability remain ‘human’ responsibilities.
He called for strong institutions as essential as physical infrastructure to realise Viksit Bharat @2047 .
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday, 4 October 2026, described good governance as the “invisible infrastructure” that underpins investor confidence and public trust, speaking at the 58th Foundation Day celebrations of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Addressing the ICSI fraternity, he characterised Company Secretaries as the “guardians of governance” and the nucleus of India Inc’s trust architecture.
Governance as the Bedrock of Public Confidence
Radhakrishnan stressed that when citizens pay taxes, they expect responsible governance in return, and when investors commit capital, they expect companies to safeguard their interests through sound corporate governance practices. He credited the ICSI for evolving well beyond traditional regulatory compliance to become a substantive institution in advancing good governance across the country.
Technology and the Enduring Importance of Human Integrity
The Vice-President called upon Company Secretaries to uphold the legal, strategic, and ethical foundations of India Inc, particularly as Artificial Intelligence, advanced data analytics, and rapidly evolving business models reshape the corporate landscape. “Technology may transform the manner in which information is generated and decisions are supported, but integrity, accountability, transparency and responsibility remain human,” he said. The remark underscored a key concern among governance professionals globally: that automation can optimise processes but cannot substitute for ethical judgment.
Key Launches and Institutional Contributions
At the event, Radhakrishnan launched the MSME Compliance Calendar 2027 and commended the ICSI’s targeted initiatives for MSMEs and start-ups, including the ICSI MSME and Start-up Catalyst programme. He also acknowledged the institute’s contributions to the National Defence Fund under the Shaheed Ki Beti initiative and the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund of the Ministry of Defence, saying, “When the intention is good, everything will be good.”
Vision for a Viksit Bharat
Radhakrishnan argued that strong institutions and sound governance will be as critical as physical and digital infrastructure in realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He called upon the ICSI to continue upholding the trust reposed in the profession and contribute towards building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. On India’s economic ambitions, he said the country should aspire to become the world’s largest economy — not to impose its will, but “so that no one can dictate unwanted terms to us.” This comes amid an intensifying national conversation about governance quality as a driver of foreign direct investment and long-term economic credibility.
Point of View
Yet Company Secretaries continue to operate within a corporate culture where regulatory box-ticking often wins over genuine accountability. The AI caveat — that machines cannot replace human integrity — is timely, but it sidesteps the harder challenge: building incentive structures that actually reward ethical conduct. The Viksit Bharat framing risks becoming ceremonial unless governance benchmarks are made measurable and publicly auditable.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vice-President Radhakrishnan say at the ICSI Foundation Day 2026?
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan described good governance as the ‘invisible infrastructure’ sustaining investor confidence and public trust at the ICSI 58th Foundation Day on 4 October 2026. He called Company Secretaries the ‘guardians of governance’ and urged them to uphold legal, ethical, and strategic standards in an AI-driven era.
What is the ICSI 58th Foundation Day?
The ICSI 58th Foundation Day marks 58 years since the founding of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, a premier professional body regulating the Company Secretary profession in India. The 2026 celebrations were held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 4 October.
What is the MSME Compliance Calendar 2027 launched at the event?
The MSME Compliance Calendar 2027 is an ICSI initiative designed to help micro, small, and medium enterprises track regulatory compliance deadlines across the year. It was launched by Vice-President Radhakrishnan at the ICSI Foundation Day event on 4 October 2026.
Why does Radhakrishnan say integrity remains human despite AI?
Radhakrishnan argued that while AI can transform how information is generated and decisions are supported, the core values of integrity, accountability, transparency, and responsibility require human judgment and cannot be automated. He made this point to underscore the continuing relevance of the Company Secretary profession.
How does the ICSI connect to the Viksit Bharat vision?
Radhakrishnan called on the ICSI to contribute towards building a strong, Aatmanirbhar, and Viksit Bharat by 2047, arguing that sound governance and strong institutions are as vital as physical and digital infrastructure for India’s long-term economic ambitions.
