New Delhi: The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), set up by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen corporate governance, ESG frameworks and capital markets in India.
According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the MoU, signed in Mumbai on May 19, 2026, aims to enhance capacity building, research, policy development and training across securities markets and corporate regulation, with a focus on building a stronger and more transparent financial ecosystem.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will jointly design certification courses, executive education modules and training programmes, including specialised programmes for SEBI officials and other regulatory and financial sector professionals.
The collaboration also seeks to support MSME access to capital markets, improve sustainability disclosures, strengthen investor education and promote evidence-based regulatory research in emerging areas.
The initiative comes amid growing focus on corporate governance standards, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting and responsible business practices, which are becoming increasingly important for India's financial markets and global investment flows.
"The focus is to build a performance-driven corporate governance ecosystem that enables MSME access to capital markets, strengthens sustainability disclosures and promotes evidence-based research in emerging regulatory domains," said Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman, SEBI.
The MoU also covers areas such as insolvency frameworks, valuation standards, board governance, responsible investing, sustainable finance, market integrity and emerging regulatory challenges.
It was signed by representatives of both institutions in the presence of senior officials, including NISM Director Sashi Krishnan, and marks a long-term partnership between SEBI, NISM and IICA.
According to the institutions, the collaboration will include joint research studies, curriculum development, policy support initiatives, faculty exchange programmes and the organisation of conferences to share best practices.
According to the ministry, the partnership is aimed at creating a more inclusive, well-regulated and knowledge-driven financial ecosystem that supports India's growing capital markets and strengthens investor confidence.
This report was published from a syndicated wire feed. Apart from the headline, the EdexLive Desk has not edited the copy.
