Bhubaneswar, September 5, 2026: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) inaugurated its 54th National Convention of Company Secretaries in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Saturday, with the theme “NextGen CS – Catalyst of Growth & Guardian of Governance.”
The three-day annual convention brings together Company Secretaries, regulators, industry leaders, professionals, senior government officials and other stakeholders for meaningful dialogue and deliberations on emerging opportunities and challenges in corporate governance, compliance and the evolving role of Company Secretaries.
The convention also witnessed the release of several important publications and the announcement of a range of professional and academic initiatives. These include the ICSI Bi-annual Progress Report 2026, Souvenir, constitution of the ICSI Students’ Benevolent Fund (SBF), the first Youth Board Meeting (YBM), and a publication on Mastering International Valuation Standards (IVS).
The ICSI also unveiled courses covering PMLA & AML, NBFC, CS to CEO, the DPDP Act and Cyber Laws, along with a study on IFSC Settlement Mechanisms with recommendations for GIFT IFSC. Other key publications include handbooks on Environmental Laws, Labour Codes and Mining Laws, the revised Guidance Note on Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT), an ESG Framework for Institutions, Carbon Markets: The Net Zero Navigator, and the Exposure Draft of the proposed Syllabus 2027.
The revised edition of the ICSI Auditing Standards (CSAS 1 to CSAS 4) was also released during the convention.
The ICSI further signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with FICCI and PaperLite, strengthening its institutional and professional collaborations. It also announced a series of webinars focusing on contemporary governance and compliance issues, including Navigating Governance: MSME Transformation Week, Start-ups Laws and Governance Week, and AI-Powered Company Secretary: Transforming Secretarial Practice, Governance & Compliance.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Inderdeep Singh Dhariwal, Additional Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (Retd.), described the convention as a unique confluence of the past and the future. He said the thoughtfully curated sessions would help build a strong foundational belief system capable of shaping the leadership of the next generation.
CS Pawan G. Chandak, President, ICSI, underlined the importance of integrity, trust and accountability in the profession. He said the ICSI’s value system is anchored in these principles and that Company Secretaries have an important role in providing ethical guidance, strengthening governance, supporting boards and regulators, and contributing to nation-building.
Around 1,500 Company Secretaries, professionals, directors, senior government officers and other stakeholders are attending the convention physically, while approximately 3,000 delegates are participating virtually.
CS Dwarakanath Chennur, Vice President, ICSI; CS Venkata Ramana R, Council Member and Chairman, Professional Development Committee; CS Sandip Kumar Kejriwal, Council Member and Programme Director; and CS Bishal Harlalka, Chairman, EIRC, ICSI, also addressed the gathering.
The inaugural programme was attended by Srimanta Baboo, Chairman, Bhubaneswar Chapter, ICSI, among other dignitaries.
CS Asish Mohan, Secretary, ICSI, proposed the vote of thanks.
The three-day convention is expected to provide a significant platform for professionals and stakeholders to examine the changing corporate landscape, emerging technologies and regulatory developments while exploring how the Company Secretary of the future can become both a catalyst of growth and a guardian of governance.
