The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has organised a specialised training programme on the Companies Act, Competition Law, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) for officers of the Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Trade Service (ITS). The five-day programme is being held from February 2 to February 6, 2026, at the IICA campus in IMT Manesar.
Focus on Core Corporate and Economic Laws
The training programme seeks to sensitise officers to key areas such as the Companies Act, Competition Law, corporate finance, and insolvency law. By integrating legal concepts with economic and policy perspectives, the programme provides participants with practical exposure to the governance of corporate affairs.
Officials said the curriculum has been carefully structured to enhance regulatory awareness and decision-making skills, enabling officers to better navigate complex corporate and economic issues in their official roles.
Comprehensive Coverage of IBC and Competition Law
Through a series of technical and interactive sessions, participants are gaining insights into the management of company affairs, regulatory governance, and data-driven decision-making. The programme covers the powers and investigation procedures of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, and the evolution of competition law in India.
Special emphasis is being placed on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code as an evolving economic law. Sessions cover debt and default, the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, and the roles of the National Company Law Tribunal and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.
Distinguished Experts Lead Sessions
The programme features an extensive panel of eminent experts from the fields of corporate law, insolvency, competition regulation, and finance. Key resource persons include former IBBI Chairperson Dr. M. S. Sahoo, former CCI Chairperson Shri Dhanendra Kumar, former Law Secretary Shri Alok Srivastava, and senior legal practitioners from leading law firms.
Academicians and professionals from IICA, including experts in corporate law, competition law, finance, and management, are also contributing to the sessions, offering participants a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge and practical insights.
Inaugural Address Highlights Regulatory Architecture
The programme was formally inaugurated by Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General and CEO of IICA. In his address, he highlighted that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs oversees one of the largest regulatory architectures in the country, encompassing institutions such as the IBBI, CCI, NFRA, ICAI, ICSI, and CMA.
Emphasising the concept of trust-based regulation, he encouraged officers to explore specialised areas within corporate affairs and undertake focused project work during the programme to deepen their understanding.
Ease of Doing Business and Legal Framework
At the commencement of the programme, Shri Sudhaker Shukla, former Member of IBBI and Head of the Centre for Insolvency and Bankruptcy at IICA, underscored three critical pillars of Ease of Doing Business in India freedom of entry, freedom to operate, and freedom to exit.
He linked these pillars to the Companies Act, 2013, the Competition Act, 2002, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, stressing their collective role in ensuring corporate sustainability and economic efficiency.
Insights from Senior Policymakers and Practitioners
Former IAS officer and first Chairperson of the CCI, Shri Dhanendra Kumar, traced the evolution of India’s competition law framework from the MRTP Act to the present-day regime. Drawing from his administrative experience, he shared insights on institution-building and regulatory maturity.
Subsequent sessions by leading legal experts provided participants with real-world perspectives on corporate governance, directors’ responsibilities, and landmark competition law cases, making the discussions practical and engaging.
Strengthening Policy and Regulatory Capacity
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Pyla Narayana Rao of IICA, who emphasised the importance of continuous capacity building for officers engaged in economic governance. The initiative reflects the government’s broader focus on strengthening regulatory competence and policy effectiveness.
