IICA and DGR Conclude Second Certification Program, Empowering Senior Defence Officers for Corporate Leadership
In a strong move toward bridging military experience with corporate governance, the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), in collaboration with the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), successfully concluded the second edition of its certification program on Independent Directorship. The program, held from May 5 to May 16, 2025, at the IICA campus in Manesar, Gurugram, was tailored for senior officers of the Indian Armed Forces transitioning to civilian roles.
A total of 30 senior defence officers from across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force participated in the two-week intensive training. The attendees included high-ranking officials such as Air Marshals, Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, Air Vice Marshals, Major Generals, Brigadiers, Colonels, and Group Captains, reflecting the calibre and leadership experience brought into the program.
The valedictory session was graced by Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General and CEO of IICA, who emphasized the significant role veterans can play in India’s evolving corporate ecosystem. He underscored the high levels of efficiency, strategic thinking, and discipline honed in military service, stating that these traits are directly translatable to the corporate governance landscape. Singh also encouraged the participants to explore entrepreneurship and leadership roles, particularly within India’s growing MSME sector, which plays a crucial role in employment generation and economic development.
Lt. Gen. SBK Singh, SM, Director General of DGR, and Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan also addressed the gathering. They drew meaningful parallels between military service and corporate leadership, highlighting that core values such as ethics, integrity, and accountability, which are cornerstones of good governance in corporate environments, are already deeply embedded in the armed forces’ ethos.
The program aimed not only to prepare veterans for board-level roles but also to position them as changemakers in India’s corporate and economic transformation. By leveraging their diverse operational experiences and leadership acumen, the course envisioned empowering these officers to contribute meaningfully to Viksit Bharat—a vision for a developed and self-reliant India.
This initiative reaffirms the commitment of both IICA and DGR to support defence personnel in their post-retirement journeys, offering structured pathways to transition into impactful civilian careers. With continued focus on capacity building, governance, and entrepreneurship, the program stands as a testament to the potential of India’s veterans to shape the future of business and governance in the country.
