The collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing regulatory capacity and governance standards within India’s International Financial Services Centre. IFSCA functions as the unified regulator of the IFSC ecosystem and oversees a growing number of financial institutions operating under the Companies Act, 2013, administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Entities operating within GIFT IFSC benefit from specific regulatory exemptions, but they remain aligned with India’s broader legal and corporate governance architecture. The new partnership aims to reinforce these standards through structured institutional cooperation.
IICA’s Role in Capacity Building
IICA, functioning under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is recognized as a premier think tank in corporate governance and policy advisory. Under the MoU, it will provide institutional support to IFSCA in capacity building, policy research and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The institute will design and conduct customized training programmes for IFSCA officers and IFSC-registered entities. These programmes will focus on Corporate and Allied Laws, Corporate Governance frameworks, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, as well as Cross-Border Transactions and Corporate Restructuring.
Online certificate courses, induction sessions and specialized leadership development initiatives will also be rolled out. The objective is to ensure that officers and regulated entities remain aligned with evolving global governance practices.
Standardizing Governance at GIFT IFSC
Speaking at the event, Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh emphasized that the partnership seeks to create a standardized corporate governance ecosystem at GIFT IFSC. He highlighted immediate priorities such as customized capacity-building modules, structured induction programmes and policy research support.
Shri K. Rajaraman appreciated IICA’s initiatives and underlined the need to operationalize the collaboration without delay. He proposed jointly delivered corporate governance programmes at GIFT City on an annual basis, including specialized courses for newly incorporated companies within the IFSC jurisdiction.
The initiative is expected to enhance regulatory effectiveness, improve compliance mechanisms and strengthen investor confidence in India’s international financial services ecosystem.
Boost to GIFT City’s Global Positioning
GIFT IFSC, located in Gujarat, has emerged as India’s gateway to global financial services. The structured governance framework envisioned under the MoU is expected to align IFSC entities more closely with international best practices.
By focusing on policy advisory and regulatory capacity building, the partnership seeks to ensure that India’s IFSC continues to evolve as a competitive, transparent and well-regulated financial hub.