The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES) on January 15, 2026. The collaboration aims to create new professional opportunities for Practicing Company Secretary (PCS) firms by positioning them as authorized external assessment agencies for implementing IAGES accreditation standards across the gold industry. IAGES, a self-regulatory organization supported by leading gold sector associations and the World Gold Council, has developed an accreditation framework to ensure transparency, trust, and sustainability in the gold ecosystem. Under the MoU, PCS firms will receive complimentary empanelment, annual assessment mandates, and opportunities to diversify services across refiners, bullion traders, manufacturers, hallmarking agencies, retailers, and digital gold platforms. Eligible firms must have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹1 crore over the last three years, at least two partners, and five years of existence.
THE INSTITUTE OF
Company Secretaries of India
IN PURSUIT OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Statutory body under an Act of Parliament
(Under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Corporate Affairs)
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICING
COMPANY SECRETARIES
The ICSI entered into an MoU with the Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES) on January 15, 2026. This strategic partnership aims to create unique opportunities for Firms of Company Secretaries in Practice (PCS firms) positioning them as key facilitators in the implementation of IAGES accreditation standards. This collaboration offers a significant growth avenue for PCS firms looking to diversify their professional service portfolios within the evolving gold industry.
IAGES
Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES) is a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) created by the Indian gold industry, supported by prominent gold sector industry associations and World Gold Council. IAGES stands as an independent body revolutionizing the gold industry in India. Modeled on the principles of leading sectoral associations in India, IAGES brings a pioneering framework to ensure transparency, trust and sustainability in the gold sector. To enable this, IAGES has developed an accreditation framework which sets out how the IAGES members should assess their organization’s conformance with the established Code of Conduct.
| BENEFITS OF MOU |
| COMPLIMENTARY EMPANELMENT Provides free empanelment for ICSI members to assess gold industry partners across India. |
| ASSESSMENT MANDATES Positions PCS firms as authorized external assessment agencies for nationwide industry compliance annual assessment. |
| INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATIONPCS firms can expand services across the gold value chain, from Refiners, Bullion Traders, Manufacturers, Hallmarking Assaying Agencies, Retailers and Digital Gold Platforms. |
| ENHANCED MARKET CREDIBILITY Fosters trust, institutional compliance and professional capability growth within the gold ecosystem. |
ELIGIBILITY
The PCS Firm-
- should have minimum average annual financial turnover of ₹ 1 crore (Rupees One Crore only) during the last three consecutive financial years.
- must have minimum two partners.
- is in existence for a minimum period of 5 years.
