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4th National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct 2026 in New Delhi

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

PolityEconomyIR

Why in news

The 4th edition of NCRBC 2026 was inaugurated in New Delhi, emphasizing ESG-led transformation as a driver of India's economic competitiveness on the path to Viksit Bharat. The conference highlights India's progress in sustainability reporting and the need for quality, reliability, and decision-usefulness of such information.

Background

India's responsible business framework has evolved from voluntary CSR guidelines in 2009 to mandatory Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) in 2021. The Companies Act, 2013, Section 166(2) embedded the principle of 'stakeholder primacy' in corporate law. The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, organizes NCRBC annually.

Key facts

in5points

  1. NCRBC 2026 is the 4th edition, held in New Delhi, themed 'ESG-led Transformation for Viksit Bharat'.

  2. Organized by IICA's School of Big Environment (SBE); IICA is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

  3. NFRA Chairman Shri Nitin Gupta stated that responsible business conduct is essential for Viksit Bharat vision and competitive companies.

  4. He emphasized that sustainability information must be consistent, comparable, evidence-based, and verifiable, with robust methodologies and internal controls.

  5. Sustainability reporting should be scrutinized with the same discipline as financial reporting and audit.

  6. Principles of documentation, traceability, matching, control ownership, evidence preservation, professional skepticism, and independent verification are key for credibility.

  7. IICA Director General Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh noted India's goal of a $30 trillion economy by 2047 requires ESG principles to be integral to economic growth.

  8. India's journey: from voluntary CSR guidelines (2009) to mandatory BRSR (2021).

  9. Companies Act, 2013, Section 166(2) introduced stakeholder primacy before global recognition.

  10. Shift from 'ESG 1.0' (compliance) to 'ESG 2.0' (enhancing reputation, risk management, business resilience).

Prelims pointers

  • NCRBC: National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct
  • IICA: Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (under Ministry of Corporate Affairs)
  • NFRA: National Financial Reporting Authority
  • BRSR: Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (mandatory from 2021)
  • Companies Act, 2013, Section 166(2): stakeholder primacy
  • Viksit Bharat: India's vision for developed nation by 2047
  • ESG: Environmental, Social, Governance
  • SBE: School of Big Environment (under IICA)

Mains angles

  • GS2: Role of regulatory bodies (IICA, NFRA) in promoting corporate governance and responsible business conduct.
  • GS3: ESG as a driver of economic competitiveness and sustainable development; link to Viksit Bharat.
  • GS3: Corporate governance reforms in India – from voluntary CSR to mandatory BRSR; effectiveness and challenges.
  • GS3: Importance of credible sustainability reporting for investment decisions and market trust.
  • GS4: Ethical business conduct and stakeholder primacy in corporate law.