- MSME and Startup Conclave 2025 was organized on June 26-27 in Mumbai, inaugurated and graced by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Union Minister of MSME along with CA. Suresh Prabhu, Chancellor Rishihood University & Former Union Minister. The conclave brought together over 3,000 stakeholders from MSMEs, startups, investors, and policymakers to foster innovation, build capacity, and support India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- ICAI MSME Mahotsav 2025, a nationwide initiative, was organized on the theme “Ek Din MSME ke Sath – CA’s Karenge Pragati ki Baat”, across all our branches on 27th June 2025. The Mahotsav provided free Udyam registration support, walk-in consultations, helpdesks from SIDBI, NSIC, DICs, and banks, and on-the spot grievance redressal. Many MSMEs participated and benefited from the expert advisory on finance, compliance, credit, and government schemes, making CAs essential partners in the MSME growth journey.
MoU with NSIC to Empower MSMEs Nationwide
In a significant step toward strengthening India’s MSME and entrepreneurial ecosystem, the ICAI has entered into an MoU to collaborate with the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) on 27th June, 2025. The MoU with NSIC focuses on capacity building of MSMEs, entrepreneurship development, and integrated support services including marketing, technology, finance, and global outreach through acceleration programs and events.
Strengthening Public Financial Management Through Capacity Building Initiative
Pursuant to the MoU signed between the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India on 21st April 2025, the first batch of a 32-day Residential Capacity Building Programme was successfully conducted for 50 C&AG officers at ICAI’s Centre of Excellence, Hyderabad, from 5th May to 5th June 2025.
ICAI continues to play a vital role in the capacity building of finance and accounts/ treasury officials of various tiers of Governments in India. Recently, ICAI extended faculty support to the Panchayati Raj Department, Bihar; Metropolitan Transport Corporation Limited, Chennai; and Treasuries and Accounts Department, Government of Tamil (GoTN), further enhancing its contribution to public financial management.
ICAI ARF Supports Indian Railways in Accounting Reforms
Since 2014, the ICAI Accounting Research Foundation (ICAI ARF) has served as the technical partner in the Indian Railways’ Accounting Reforms initiative, contributing significantly to this transformation journey. ICAI ARF has successfully prepared Accrual-Based Financial Statements for the years 2017-18 to 2022-23. Recently a meeting was held on June 17, 2025, with Ms. Nirupama Kumar, CAO/ AR, Northern Railways, at ICAI to discuss the way forward, including the preparation of financial statements for 2023-24 and 2024-25 and Indian Railways’ efforts towards achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
ICAI Augments Global Presence
Augmenting the global presence in the United States, the Institute launched two more chapters, namely Los Angeles and Atlanta. Distinguished guests included Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, Hon’ble Consul General of India, San Francisco (Virtually) & Mr. Scott Hanson, Director, Policy & Global engagement at IFAC (Virtually) for the launch of the Los Angeles Chapter and Shri. Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan, Hon’ble Consul General of India, Atlanta for the launch of the Atlanta Chapter. With this, ICAI’s global network now includes 54 Chapters and 31 Representative Offices across 47 countries and 85 cities.
During interaction with Hon’ble Consul Generals of India of San Francisco and Atlanta fruitful discussions were held for fostering strong professional ties leading to enhanced investment and business opportunities. I also engaged with Stanford University representatives to explore global collaboration and knowledge partnership.
Regional Engagement: Asean Federation of Accountants (AFA) Council Meet
Recently, I represented ICAI at the 140th AFA Council Meeting, reinforcing India’s commitment to regional cooperation and policy dialogue within the ASEAN accountancy community on 31st May 2025. Earlier on 30th May, 2025, I met Mr. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, Hon’ble Ambassador of India to Cambodia, and discussions were held on expanding professional avenues for Indian Chartered Accountants in Southeast Asia.
Empowering Self-Help Groups for Financial Independence
With the aim of reaching the unreached, the ICAI conducted a 2-day financial literacy awareness program, “Empowering Self Help Groups for Financial Independence and Security” for the self-help groups of the Garo and Khasi regions of Meghalaya. The program was conducted in association with the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society, under the Ministry of Rural Development. In addition to this, the Directorate hosted an engaging event, “Building Financial Roots in Tribal Meghalaya”, for the tribal population in the Mawlai Mawtawar village, Shillong.
Strengthen India’s Global Leadership in Financial Services – GCC Summit Series
India is home to over 1,800 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), employing more than 1.9 million professionals which positions the country as a global hub for finance, innovation, and strategic business services. In alignment with the national vision, ICAI has established a dedicated group ‘Group to promote India as Accounting GCC’ to promote India as a preferred destination for finance and accounting centric GCCs. This initiative seeks to enhance the role of Chartered Accountants in global financial leadership and leverage India’s skilled talent to build a GCC-ready workforce. To further this vision, ICAI has launched a Nationwide GCC Summit Series across key cities of New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, in collaboration with MEA, MeitY, IFSCA, SEPC, Invest India, NSDC, and IIM Sambalpur. The first summit was held in New Delhi on June 27-28, 2025, inaugurated by CA. Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary, MEA and witnessed participation from about 500 professionals, fostering strategic partnerships and dialogue on innovation and evolving trends in the GCC space.
International Yoga Day – Path to Productivity & Happiness
Through practice comes Yoga, through Yoga comes knowledge, through knowledge love, and through love bliss.
– Swami Vivekananda
In a demanding profession like ours, yoga serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder to pause, breathe, and realign. It nurtures both body and mind, supporting better focus, emotional balance, and sustainable productivity. Embracing this ancient practice to integrate wellness into our daily lives, ICAI celebrated the spirit of holistic well-being through Yoga across its 5 Regional Councils, 179 Branches, 54 Overseas Chapters, and 31 Representative Offices, on the International Yoga Day on 21st June 2025, promoting health and mindfulness among professionals. A grand event was organized at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, with participation from over 2000 Chartered Accountants and students. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Shri Vijender Gupta, Hon’ble Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly and Guests of Honour Shri Raja Iqbal Singh, Hon’ble Mayor, MCD, Delhi and Shri Sandeep Kapoor, Hon’ble Councillor & Ex-Chairman, Standing Committee
Embracing LiFE for a Sustainable Future – Survey
Over the years, our profession has evolved as trusted partners in growth. Now it’s time to foster environmental consciousness and lead the sustainability movement. The LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment initiative, calls upon each of us to adopt mindful consumption and sustainable living. In alignment with this vision, ICAI is conducting a focused survey to assess the awareness, attitudes, and behaviours of our members and students toward eco-friendly practices. The survey is available in the journal, and I urge you to share your inputs. This initiative will enable us to design impactful initiatives for a greener future.
ICAI and UNGCNI Unite to Mainstream Biodiversity in Business
Sustainability is no longer a choice; it’s an imperative. Building on ICAI’s growing efforts in promoting sustainability, ICAI marked the International Day for Biological Diversity by partnering with the United Nations Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI) and hosted an event on “Biodiversity & Business in Harmony” in New Delhi on 24th May, 2025. The event was graced by Shri C. Achalender Reddy, IFS (Retd.), Chairperson, National Biodiversity Authority, CA. Anand Mohan Bajaj, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (Commercial) and Shri Amarjeet Singh, Whole Time Member, SEBI with participation from over 200 stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and CAs. The event was aimed at integrating biodiversity into corporate sustainability practices and highlighted the growing responsibility of finance professionals in this critical space.
Honouring Legacy, Envisioning Tomorrow
As India accelerates its journey toward Viksit Bharat, ICAI gets ready for the future, inspired by its rich legacy. With the vision and mindset to build a profession for tomorrow, the Past Presidents’ Meet was held on 11th June 2025, which brought together the 25 stalwarts of the profession who have shaped ICAI’s identity over the decades. The wisdom of our past Presidents remains our guiding compass for the Institute. The discussions focused on aligning the ICAI’s vision to build the blueprint for tomorrow’s profession for building a new India guided by the principles of innovation, integrity, inclusiveness, and impact.
Tribute to Past President CA. V. Rajaraman
We deeply mourn the passing of CA. V. Rajaraman, Past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (1980-1981), passed to the heavenly abode at the age of 95. A humble leader and dedicated professional, he played a pivotal role in shaping the profession during his tenure. His contributions to the Institute and the accounting community will always be remembered with great respect and admiration. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Conclusion
India’s emergence as the 4th largest economy is not by chance, it is the result of collective determination, resilience, and persistent effort by every Indian. As professionals, let us honour the trust society places in us and rise to meet the responsibility it entails.
I humbly salute the esteemed Institute that has empowered each one of us with a platform to actively contribute as pillars for nation-building. This illustrious institution always stands with the nation as a beacon of excellence, ethical leadership, and global credibility. It is a moment to reflect with pride on the journey of ICAI, as an institution that has empowered generations of professionals, instilled a culture of integrity, and strengthened the foundation of our economy.
As rightly mentioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in the 123rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, that on 1st July, we honour two important professions, the Doctors who are protectors (Rakshak) of our health, and the Chartered Accountants who are the guides (Margdarshak) of our economic life. Inspired by these words, let’s continue to shoulder the vital responsibility of guiding India’s economic journey with integrity and excellence, as financial sentinels of the nation. On this day, my best wishes to all the financial doctors (Chartered Accountants) for their service and commitment to society.
Let us continue to shape a New India, a globally respected and trusted India. I like to conclude with a couplet-
” काम करो ऐसा कि एक पहचान बन जाए,
हर कदम ऐसा चलो कि निशान बन जाए,
यहां जिंदगी तो हर कोई काट लेता है,
जिंदगी जियो इस कदर कि मिसाल बन जाए। “
CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda
President, ICAI
New Delhi, 30th June, 2025
