The School of Corporate Governance and Public Policy, has extensively worked and developed a digital & policy level initiative in the name of Independent Directors’ Databank with the regulatory changes in the Companies Act, 2013 through the support of MCA. The Databank is a Central Repository of all Independent Directors of the country with an aim to serve as apex platform for the capacity building of the Independent Directors for having enhanced Corporate Governance standard of the Boards. The Databank has about 22,000 directors including 6,000 plus women directors and also 2,700 plus companies.

In order to serve such big universe of Independent Directors, by way of capacity building and research based interventions, a Centre for Independent Directors has been established by IICA under the mandate given by the Companies Act to set up, operate and maintain the databank of independent directors. The Centre has experienced professionals providing the following solutions:

   -E-learning modules

   -E-learning case studies

   -Monthly E-Newsletter “The Hub”

   -Fortnightly webinars and Power Talks

   -Corporate Search for shortlisting suitable profiles

   -Online Proficiency Self-Assessment Test

   -Knowledge resources

   -Conducting research on contemporary topics

The centre regularly organize the familiarization programs and master class for the capacity building of the Independent Directors. For further information and assistance on this, niraj.gupta@gov.in be contacted.

However, there are 3000+ companies which are registered with the databank and continuously searching profiles for appointment of Independent Directors, nevertheless the the Centre plans to engage with the Independent Directors and other stakeholders in a more intensive manner by way of:

   Advocacy campaigns with corporates, in partnership with RoCs of MCA to have more companies on board for providing better opportunities to the aspiring directors.

   Advocacy for enhanced enforcement of provisions relating to Independent Directors

   Policy level interventions in Companies Act, 2013 for seeking necessary amendments for companies to provide reference to databank while appointing Independent Directors

   Offering capacity building formats helping aspiring directors to learn from experienced directors

   Developing a capacity index of professionals for serving as Independent Directors