Institute of Cost Accountants of India issued the Exposure Draft of the Council Guidelines for Advertisement, 2025 for Members in Practice, following approval at its 364th Council meeting held on 8 and 17 December 2025. The initiative responds to ongoing governmental discussions on enabling Multi-Disciplinary Partnerships (MDPs) and the need for Indian professionals to compete effectively with global firms. The proposed guidelines seek to permit advertising and promotional activities by Cost and Management Accountants (CMAs) while ensuring adherence to ethical standards prescribed under the Cost Accountants Act, 1959. Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments and suggestions within 15 days of release, in a prescribed format, to help refine the framework. The Institute emphasized that the final guidelines will be issued after due consideration of feedback received. The move signals a calibrated shift towards modernizing professional conduct norms, balancing market competitiveness with professional integrity and accountability.
ICMAI
THE INSTITUTE OF
COST ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA
Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament
(under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Corporate Affairs)
COUNCIL GUIDELINES FOR ADVERTISEMENT, 2025
FOR THE MEMBERS IN PRACTICE
(Issued pursuant to clause [7] part I of the First Schedule to The Cost Accountants Act, 1959)
The Government is currently engaging in discussions aimed at building a broader consensus on the evolving concept of Multi-Disciplinary Partnerships (MDPs). As part of this initiative, it is being considered that Indian professionals should be permitted to undertake advertising and promotional activities to effectively compete with global firms.
In this context, the Council of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India has developed the Guidelines for Advertisement for Members in Practice. These proposed guidelines are intended to ensure that Cost and Management Accountants (CMAs) have a fair opportunity to compete with international firms, while remaining within the framework of established ethical standards.
The Council, in its 364th meeting held on 8th and 17th December 2025, has approved the release of the Exposure Draft of the Guidelines for Advertisement, 2025 for Members in Practice for public comments and suggestions. Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback within 15 days from the date of release of the Exposure Draft.
The final Guidelines will be formulated after considering all suggestions and comments received within the stipulated period.
Kindly submit your suggestions or comments on the proposed Guidelines for Advertisement for Members in Practice via email at technical@icmai.in , strictly in the format provided below:
| Sl. | Clause Number | Sub-Clause Number | Suggestion | Justification |
Your valuable feedback and suggestions are crucial in helping the Institute strengthen the professional framework and align it with global best practices.
Exposure Draft of Guidelines for Advertisement for the Members in Practice can be downloaded from LINK
CMA (Dr) D.P. Nandy
Secretary (Officiating), ICMAI
18th December, 2025
