New Delhi, July 04, 2025: The third edition of the National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC) was inaugurated by Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, on July 2 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi. Organized by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), the two-day flagship conference is themed “Integrating ESG for Viksit Bharat.”
Addressing an audience of over 300 corporate leaders, ESG professionals, policymakers, and international delegates, Shri Malhotra emphasized India’s shift from regulatory prosecution to trust-based corporate governance.
“India is no longer catching up, India is ready to lead.” He added, “Responsible business conduct is no longer peripheral to business strategy, but foundational.” Referring to the Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, he noted that India’s ESG approach is “not merely climate-first but climate-plus”—integrating environmental sustainability with social inclusion, ethical governance, and intergenerational equity.
He highlighted reforms such as the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC), Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), the MCA21 Version 3.0 platform, and decriminalization of over 180 statutory provisions under the Jan Vishwas Act.
Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, cautioned against uncritical adoption of ESG metrics influenced by developed countries. He advocated for “robust, context-specific and just indicators that reflect India’s developmental priorities.” He added that India’s civilizational legacy, as seen in Kautilya’s Arthashastra, already upholds values akin to modern ESG principles.
Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative to India, stressed the social dimension of ESG, stating: “ESG is incomplete without healthy children and families.” She urged businesses to align their governance and social strategies with child rights, nutrition, education, and resilience.
Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General and CEO of IICA, underlined the need for India-specific ESG models, saying: “Imported templates are inadequate to address India’s diverse business ecosystem.” He reiterated IICA’s commitment to evidence-based policy, regulatory innovation, and capacity building.
Prof. Garima Dadhich, Head of the School of Business Environment at IICA, highlighted NCRBC’s progression from awareness to actionable integration, stating: “This year marks a shift from awareness to action, from commitment to convergence.”
Day one of the conference featured four panel discussions on topics including ESG integration in corporate governance, sustainable finance, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and workforce transformation. Upcoming sessions on Day two will address decarbonization, BRSR alignment, sectoral ESG adoption, and resilient supply chains. A diplomatic panel with ambassadors from key partner countries will also deliberate on global cooperation for equitable economic systems.
NCRBC 2025 is supported by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and partner organizations including UNICEF India, Partners-in-Change, ICAI, ACCA, GAIN, ATNi, ILO, and the Responsible Business Alliance.
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