IICA, established under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, organised a stakeholder consultation on "Public Policy and Corporate Affairs: Changing Roles and Professional Development" at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
In the opening session, Mr. Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director‑General and CEO of IICA, emphasised the need for dialogue between the public and private sectors.
The opening also featured speeches by retired senior administrative officers and corporate leaders. Mr. Amarjit Sinha, IAS (retired), former Secretary of the Government of India, stressed the need for collaborative governance and predictable policies. Dr. Anup K. Pujara, former Secretary of the Government of India, highlighted capacity building for mid‑ and senior‑level professionals. Mr. Arun Goyal, former Secretary of the Government of India, noted the growing role of the private sector in the functioning and development of regulatory bodies.
The discussion was divided into three main themes: (i) the role of public policy and corporate affairs, (ii) the evolving role of professionals in the field, and (iii) their education and professional development.
Participants discussed the dual responsibility of public policy work and the division of responsibilities with legal, compliance and professional teams.
The consultation outlined the essential professional competencies for public policy professionals in the country. These include a practical understanding of the decision‑making process by governments and regulators, economic and data‑driven reasoning, risk and stakeholder management, and the ability to balance institutional priorities with public interest.
Recommendations were made for multidisciplinary, case‑based curricula, flexible learning arrangements for working professionals, and prioritising internships in government institutions.
The consultation saw participation from more than 50 senior representatives, including listed companies and multinational corporations, consulting and advisory firms, think tanks, industry associations, academics and civil society representatives, as well as senior government officials and policy researchers.
Dr. Neeraj Gupta, Head of the Corporate Governance and Public Policy School, presented the background of the consultation and highlighted IICA’s efforts to institutionalise this emerging profession.
The consultation was coordinated by Mr. Manoj Singh, IICA’s Chief Programme Officer. At the conclusion of the meeting, a roadmap was drafted, under which IICA will work with industry bodies and academic institutions to equip public policy professionals with the necessary capabilities.