The Institute of Company Secretaries of India announced a series of significant decisions taken by its Council in the meeting held on 11 January 2026, aimed at long-term institutional strengthening and stakeholder-centric reforms. The Council adopted the Strategic Action Plan 2026–2030, focusing on organisational restructuring, consolidation of committees, revised governance guidelines, an updated Code of Conduct, decentralisation of activities, and stronger regional outreach. In-principle approvals were granted for rationalising internal guidelines, amending service and financial delegation rules, liberalising the regulatory framework for practicing professionals, framing an ESG policy, and redefining eligibility norms for committee co-option. Key decisions also included limiting national-level programmes to three flagship events, operationalising ICSI International ADR Centres in India and abroad in phased stages, reviewing board tenures, advancing curriculum reforms, launching student-centric initiatives such as “Knowledge on Demand,” amending Chapter Management Guidelines, approving a special drive for the Benevolent Fund, and granting in-principle approval for constituting a new Chapter at Hisar.
Institute of Company Secretaries of India
18 January 2026
List of Important Decisions taken in the Meeting of the Council dated 11th January 2026
1. The Council adopted the Strategic Action Plan (2026-2030) of the Institute, as recommended by the Strategic Group- ICSI Ascend which includes the internal organisational re-structuring and re-alignment of the Institute, for better service delivery to stakeholders.
2. The Council accorded its approval for the following, as recommended by the Strategic Group-ICSI Ascend:
i. Revised Organizational Structure of various Directorates at ICSI.
ii. Consolidation of Committees of the Council based on functional domains in alignment with the ICSI Guidelines and Directorates.
iii. Revised Guidelines for Good Council Practices.
iv. Revised ICSI Code of Conduct and Ethics for Council Members and Senior Management of the Institute.
v. Strengthening of Regional Offices and Chapters of the Institute and de-centralization of activities at ICSI Headquarters for better stakeholder engagement.
3. The Council accorded its in-principle approval for the following proposals, as recommended by the Strategic Group- ICSI Ascend:
i. Consolidation of various Guidelines of the Institute for administrative convenience.
ii. Rationalisation of Role and Functions of Infrastructure Committee to streamline the process of acquisition, construction and disposal of Institute’s premises.
iii. Amendments in the Delegation of Financial Powers of the Institute.
iv. Liberalisation of the Regulatory Framework for Company Secretaries in Practice.
v. Amendments to the ICSI Service Rules, 1979.
4. The Council accorded its in-principle approval for framing of ESG Policy of the Institute as recommended by the Strategic Group- ICSI Ascend.
5. The Council accorded its in-principle approval to define the eligibility criteria of Members for co-option to the Committees of the Council.
6. The Council accorded its approval to review the Terms of Reference and tenure of certain Boards of the Institute, stipulating that the tenure of Boards constituted by the Council shall be co-terminus with the term of the Council along with rotation of Members every year.
7. The Council decided that the (i) National Convention of Company Secretaries, (ii) National Conference of Practicing Company Secretaries and (iii) ICSI National Awards for Excellence on Corporate Governance, shall be the only National Programmes of the Institute.
8. The Council accorded its approval for modifications in the modalities of organising Foundation Day Events.
9. The Council approved the recommendation of the Strategic Group- ICSI Ascend to make ICSI International ADR Centre at Noida, fully functional and thereafter, the ICSI International ADR Centres to operate as follows:
| Dedicated Centres | Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai | Stage II |
| Regional Centres | Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata | |
| Global Centres | Dubai, Singapore, Hongkong, London | Stage III |
10. The Council considered the proposals of the Strategic Group- ICSI Ascend on the Curriculum, Course Structure and Training Structure of the Company Secretaryship Course and referred the same to the ‘Academic Board of ICSI’ for detailed analysis and to make suitable recommendations to the Council of ICSI.
11. The Council accorded its approval for launching “Knowledge on Demand” for students as recommended by the Training and Educational Facilities Committee.
12. The Council accorded its approval for dispatching the study materials to students registering for Executive Programme, upon receipt of the registration fee, irrespective of non-completion of verification of documents, or non-eligibility of the candidate, ensuring maximum early delivery of study materials.
13. The Council accorded its approval for launching a special drive for Company Secretaries Benevolent Fund (CSBF).
14. The Council approved the amendments in the ICSI Chapter Management Guidelines, 2024, as recommended by the Chapter Development & Coordination Committee, inter-alia, the amendments in cl. 15.1 (vi) of the said Guidelines, [viz- Election to Managing Committee of Chapters] extending the clause to Gold Grade Chapters also, wherein the Members who have previously occupied the position of Chairman therein shall, after completion of a cooling period of one Council tenure (i.e., four years), be eligible to contest or be nominated as Members of the Managing Committee of such Chapter and may also hold office-bearer positions, subject to the condition that the Grade of the said Chapter remains unchanged.
15. The Council accorded in principle approval for constitution of Chapter at Hisar.
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