The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is preparing to introduce a certification course for independent directors, according to a report by ETCFO.com.
The proposed programme has already been approved by the ICAI Council and is likely to be launched by the end of October 2026.
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Work on the background material for the course is currently under way, the report said.
The material will be placed before the relevant committee for consideration and approval before the programme is rolled out.
The course is being designed to help independent directors better understand their statutory responsibilities.
This includes their duty to question management and promoters, along with the consequences that may follow if those responsibilities are not properly discharged.
The proposed curriculum is also expected to cover the practical role of independent directors under the Companies Act. That would include their participation in board and committee deliberations, as well as the scope of their role in those discussions.
A senior ICAI official said: “All listed companies require independent directors to be appointed, and precisely the audit committee chairman should be expert in finance, accounting and law. Of course, it does not necessarily need to be a chartered accountant [CA], but in the majority of companies today, in around 75% of listed companies, audit committee chairmen and independent directors are CAs.
“The ICAI Council has approved to come with a certified course to train independent directors.”
The ICAI is now preparing the supporting material for the certification programme ahead of the next level of internal review.
Once cleared, the programme is expected to offer a structured certification route for independent directors through the accounting body.
