By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News | New Delhi
Manesar (Delhi NCR, Bharat): The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with WNS Global Services, has launched the IICA–WNS Ybrant CSR, ESG & Sustainability Programme, aimed at nurturing a new generation of socially responsible and sustainability-driven leaders.
The programme was formally inaugurated on Tuesday in the presence of Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General & CEO, IICA, and Mr. Gopal Agarwal, Head CSR, WNS Global Services. The launch witnessed participation from over 250 students representing leading academic institutions, including IIM Shillong, CHRIST University Bengaluru, Banasthali Vidyapeeth (Rajasthan), Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Pune, and St. Aloysius (Deemed University) Mangalore.
Speaking at the event, Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh emphasized that the Ybrant initiative represents a significant step toward integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, and sustainability into mainstream management education.
“Through the IICA–WNS Ybrant Programme, we aim to prepare students for leadership roles that align business performance with positive social impact. The objective is to nurture responsible leaders who view business not merely as a vehicle for profit but as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive development,” he said.
Highlighting the rapid growth of India’s CSR landscape, Shri Singh noted that corporate CSR expenditure has increased from ₹10,065.93 crore in FY 2014–15 to ₹34,908.75 crore in FY 2023–24, with over ₹2.2 lakh crore spent on CSR initiatives in the last decade. He underscored the need for professionals who understand the balance between profitability and responsible business conduct in the evolving CSR ecosystem.
Mr. Gopal Agarwal, Head CSR at WNS Global Services, described the Ybrant Programme as a strategic collaboration between the government, industry, and academia.
“The idea is to catch them young, so that future CEOs and business leaders embrace sustainability as a core part of their learning and leadership journey. The blended learning model combines academic rigour with industry insights and practical exposure,” he said.
The six-month-long programme will include 22.5 hours of academic sessions and 18 hours of fieldwork, covering 15 comprehensive modules ranging from CSR fundamentals and global sustainability trends to ESG reporting, impact assessment, and corporate governance. Learners will engage in weekly live sessions with IICA faculty and industry experts, supported by IICA’s digital learning platform. Participants will also receive verifiable digital credentials through QR code, DigiLocker, and LinkedIn integration.
Welcoming the participants, Mr. Mukesh Kumar, Head – Centre for Excellence in CSR & Corporate Citizenship, IICA, highlighted the programme’s commitment to bridging academia and industry for impactful social learning.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ankita Sharma, Senior Research Associate, IICA, and was moderated by Ms. Sana Farid, Research Associate, IICA.
