
Unlock the essential knowledge, skills, and experience required to excel as a high-performing board director. Earn your Certified Corporate Director credential and lead with confidence and integrity.
View more detailsBecome a Certified ESG Professional through this comprehensive 4-day training programme designed for directors and senior executives. Gain the expertise to drive sustainable governance and create long-term value.
View more detailsA focused 2-day programme tailored for executive, non-executive, independent, and aspiring directors. Build your financial acumen to make informed decisions and enhance your boardroom effectiveness.
View more detailsEquip yourself with the insights and understanding needed to navigate emerging technologies. This programme is exclusively designed for directors and senior executives aiming to future-proof their governance approach.
View more detailsAs updated in August 2026
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Batches
Open-House Masterclass for Directors
0
Batches
In-House Masterclass for Directors
0
Batches
Orientation Programme for ID’s Proficiency Test
0
Batches
Masterclass for Startup Professionals
0
Batches
Masterclass for Directors on ESG
0
Batches
Boards Preparedness Towards Emerging Technologies
Total - 558 Batches
1
Step 1 Acquire Domain Knowledge
IOD Masterclass for Directors → Certified Corporate Director
Your critical step toward board readiness — where intention becomes competence
Key Points:
2
Step 2 Ace the ID Proficiency Test
3
Step 3 Register on Key Databanks
Strengthen your board readiness by enrolling in recognised Independent Director databanks and platforms essential for visibility, compliance, and nomination consideration.
4
Step 4 Networking & Visibility
Joining governance circles and increasing visibility among organisations seeking qualified directors.
5
Prepare for First-Time Board Service
Stepping into a board role for the first time requires clarity, confidence, and a strong understanding of governance expectations.
Key Focus Areas:
6
Step 6 Ongoing Learning & Regulatory Updates
Board readiness is not a one-time milestone—it requires continuous learning and staying aligned with evolving governance standards, regulations, and best practices.
Key Priorities:
5000+
Hours of Boardroom Brilliance
250+
India’s top Boardroom trainers
500+
Batches & Counting...
10,000+
Board members trained
20+
Nations with participant presence
The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) anticipates 250 to 300 new listings annually, across its mainboard and SME platform, NSE Emerge. This projection is based on favourable market indicators and an increase in number of companies seeking to raise capital across various sectors.
In FY2024, there were 7,547 companies listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.
By 2030, the country’s requirement for independent directors is expected to double from the current estimate of 30,000. This rising demand highlights the importance of cultivating a skilled and diverse talent pool.
More than 185,000 companies were registered in the country last fiscal, higher than the count recorded in the year-ago period,
Over the next decade, NSE expects the total number of listed companies to double to 6,000.
Build the essential skills and competencies required to lead, influence, and add value in the boardroom.
With an IOD qualification or training programme, you can demonstrate your aptitude to make a meaningful difference on issues that matter—to you and to your organization.
Become a Certified Corporate Director through IOD’s highly acclaimed and globally recognized 3-Day Masterclass for Directors – Certification Programme.
According to SEBI rules:
Every listed company must have at least one-third of its board made up of Independent Directors.
If the company’s Chairperson is also a promoter (or related to one), the requirement goes up to at least half the board.
The top 1,000 listed companies must also have at least one woman as an Independent Director.
According to Companies Act, 2013: Every public company must appoint at least 2 Independent Directors if they meet the prescribed threshold limit.
In short: Whether you are a listed company or a large public company, the law requires you to include Independent Directors on your board.
These rules are designed to ensure that corporate boards are diverse, balanced, and include independent voices who can protect the interests of all shareholders, especially minority investors and the public.
This ensures that major decisions are not taken by insiders alone, and that independent voices are present at the table.
Certified by the Global Boardroom Community
Internationally validated credentials
Strong focus on Directors’ skill development
Comprehensive coverage of boardroom subjects
Emphasis on a global perspective
Cultivation of core competencies required of Board Directors
Continuously evolving curriculum addressing emerging boardroom topics
Masterclass delivered by state-of-the-art empanelled faculty
Comprehensive assessment and Proficiency Test for Independent Directors
Extensive IOD support
Opportunity to join a prestigious global network of Directors
According to SEBI rules:
Every listed company must have at least one-third of its board made up of Independent Directors.
If the company’s Chairperson is also a promoter (or related to one), the requirement goes up to at least half the board.
The top 1,000 listed companies must also have at least one woman as an Independent Director.
According to Companies Act, 2013: Every public company must appoint at least 2 Independent Directors if they meet the prescribed threshold limit.
In short: Whether you are a listed company or a large public company, the law requires you to include Independent Directors on your board.
These rules are designed to ensure that corporate boards are diverse, balanced, and include independent voices who can protect the interests of all shareholders, especially minority investors and the public.
This ensures that major decisions are not taken by insiders alone, and that independent voices are present at the table.
Yes and it's mandatory by law.
Under SEBI’s corporate governance regulations, every company must arrange ongoing training for its Independent Directors. These programs are designed to help them:
Understand the company’s business, finances, and risks
Stay updated on changing laws and industry trends
Know their legal responsibilities on the board
Under Companies Act, 2013
Under Section 149(8) of the Companies Act and Schedule IV (the Code for Independent Directors), companies are required to ensure that Independent Directors are properly oriented and updated.
This isn’t optional, as Indian Regulators wants Independent Directors to be well-informed, responsible, and confident in asking tough questions and making independent decisions.
Our programmes are carefully crafted to meet the unique requirements of each board/individual, offering a personalised learning and growth experience. Backed by our expert faculty, we provide deep governance insights, strategic guidance, and practical tools to strengthen board effectiveness and leadership impact.
Institute of Directors (IOD) India’s faculty comprises seasoned facilitators and corporate governance specialists with extensive boardroom experience across diverse sectors — including multinationals, SMEs, PSUs, private firms, and not-for-profit organisations.
We equip boards with practical tools and proven governance frameworks that drive impactful decision-making and sustainable success. Our solutions are designed to support boards in navigating complex challenges with clarity and confidence.
Institute of Directors (IOD) India’s board development offerings are delivered with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism. From initial engagement to post-programme support, we ensure a secure, trusted environment that respects the integrity of each board’s journey.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015
MCA Report of Expert Committee
BRSR Core - Framework for Assurance and ESG Disclosures for Value Chain
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting by Listed Entities
Guidance Note on Independent Directors
Secretarial Standards on Meetings of Board of Directors (SS-1)
Secretarial Standards on General Meetings (SS-2)
Building Cyber Resilience in Boardrooms
Growth through Boardroom Leadership and Governance
The Intersection of Justice, Ethics, and Climate Responsibility
Corporate News
Master Circular for ESG Rating Providers (ERPs)
ICSI Guiding Principles on Stewardship
IOD is constantly looking out for experts having the required passion, knowledge and expertise to provide training programmes to directors and senior executives. Our faculty of course leaders and executive coaches are all expert practitioners in the fields of Board legal aspects, Governance, Strategy, Leadership and Finance and have been recruited in recognition of their wide directorial experience, detailed subject matter expertise and excellent facilitation skills.
Every course leader brings a unique wealth of insights from within the boardroom and wider business community to the programmes they deliver and the Institute of Directors gives exclusive access to their expertise.
We lookout for such expert practitioners for the subjects mentioned below, whom can join the pool of our state of art faculty members:
IOD's ‘Masterclass for Directors’ leading to “Certified Corporate Director” - is an exclusive qualification which has been designed to address the challenges of the future board by upskilling the aspiring Directors. It trains & certifies Directors and aspiring Directors as “Certified Corporate Director”, which offers great insight on Board Processes, Board Strategic Involvement and also growing focus on the role of Independent Directors, changing regulations - Listing Obligations & Disclosure Requirements (LODR), Companies Act, etc., including a Board simulation exercise to validate & enhance preparedness for the future. It also helps Directors hone their boardroom skills, ESG knowledge as part of business strategy & performance and enables effective corporate governance in an increasingly fast-changing world.
The ‘Masterclass for Directors’ Programme is offered in two formats:
OPEN FORMAT (For aspiring & serving directors):
The training Programme is conducted in most major metro cities. The participants can choose their venue and dates, as convenient to them.
IN-HOUSE FORMAT (For corporates):
The training Programme is delivered in half or full day format, covering one or more topics in much greater detail. The Programme is designed as per the needs of the company. The Programme can be delivered in Offline and Online modes.
Over the past twenty years, IOD has conducted over 470 such training sessions and trained over 10,000 as its Trained Alumni, joining its IOD India Global Network.
For Offline: It will be a 3 day condensed weekend certification Programme.
For Virtual: It will be a 4 day (two consecutive weekends) condensed weekend certification Programme
The training course offers flexibility in accessing information on a range of training modules relevant to Directors and Senior Executives. The course undergoes continuous enhancements to keep it updated, with the latest regulatory requirements, global trends and practices. The following are the normal set of modules, which are subject to change.
Companies Act, 2013 & Other Corporate laws: An Overview, The Board’s legal Environment: Duties, Responsibilities and Liabilities of a Director, Corporate Governance: Enhancing Stakeholder Value, Independent Directors: Improving Corporate Credibility and Governance Standards, Board Committees: Enhancing Effectiveness and Accountability, Strategic Leadership of Corporate Boards: Maximizing Effectiveness and Accountability, Financial Literacy for Directors, Driving Financial Performance etc.
Company Chairman/Chairperson, Directors, Presidents, CEOs, CFOs, Bankers, Fund Managers, Company Secretaries, Senior Government Officials, Senior Executives of NGOs, Investors, Brokers, Chartered Accountants, Management Analysts, Financial Consultant & Academicians and aspiring Independent Directors.
The course will update your understanding of boardroom practices, helping you to:
Please refer to the web-link below to access the calendar for the upcoming batches of IOD’s ‘Masterclass for Directors’ Programme. You may opt for your location & dates as per your convenience and availability.
https://iodglobal.com/masterclass-for-directors
The registration fee for ‘Masterclass for Directors’ Programme, entitles you to one year complimentary membership of IOD. However, if you enrol for annual membership in advance, you will be entitled to get 15% discount as IOD Annual Member and 30 % discount as Life Member, on the Masterclass Programme. Complimentary membership of one year is applicable for Non IOD members only.
Here are the detailed steps one needs to follow as per the process and procedure to enrol:
Step-1: Head over to (https://iodglobal.com/masterclass/registration_form) and complete the registration or send us your query at info@iodglobal.com and we will reach out to you.
Step-2: The payment can follow: online or through post with a DD/ Cheque, via the link https://iodglobal.com/pay_online.php
Step-3: When the Registration form and the specified fee is received, an official confirmation will be sent via email, outlining the Programme specifics.
Step-4: The Programme, followed by a submission of a Project Study Report & its approval, will lead to the award of "Certified Corporate Director” certificate.
IOD’s ‘Masterclass for Directors’ is a certification programme leading to the prestigious “Certified Corporate Director” Certificate followed by the submission of a Project Study Report.
The “Certified Corporate Director” certificate comes with a life time validity. However, we urge IOD Certified Alumni to enhance their knowledge in every 3 years to remain vigilant with the Regulatory amendments from time to time and evolving boardroom trends.
With a rich legacy of over three decades “Certified Corporate Director” certification from IOD offers esteemed recognition, acknowledging significant professional achievements in consistently meeting and upholding the highest standards of knowledge, experience, and integrity.
The Institute of Directors (IOD) being a globally recognized association of Directors, its objective is to provide its members and Certified Director Alumni with a comprehensive understanding of Indian Company Law and the legal framework governing boards, with a specific emphasis on the duties and responsibilities of Directors operating within India. However, it's important to note that since Indian corporate law draws influence from foreign jurisdictions, the certification from the Institute of Directors carries significant recognition both within India and internationally.
The ‘Masterclass for Directors’ Programme is followed by submission of a Project Study Report within 45 days of completing the Masterclass programme.
Each participant is required to prepare a project study in the form of a Project Study Report. The project topic can be chosen amongst any of the areas covered during the Masterclass. It serves as an opportunity for showcasing the application of acquired knowledge and demonstrating participants' competence in translating theoretical insights into practical skills.
The certificate is issued once the Project Study Report is approved by the Committee.
The Masterclass is open to all senior executives, with over 5 years’ experience at senior management level in Public or Private sector corporations/organizations and Government departments. If a participant needs any guidance or assistance to decide his/her eligibility to pursue this Masterclass, he/she can share his/her updated resume with us and we would be happy to assist further and support in mapping the eligibility of the participant.
Please note: IOD reserves the rights to give admission on its sole discretion.
You may apply at any time for the Masterclass. However, the reservation of seat & payment can be made well in advance since it is subject to the availability of seats as the batch size is limited, to ensure quality standards and is purely based on a first come, first serve basis.
The available discounts as per the policy are as follows:
Maximum discount permissible for Individuals is 30% & for Group is 25%.
Over the last 30 years, IOD has a legacy of bringing seasoned faculty members & experts and the-state-of-the-art board members who do not only share extensive skills but possess boardroom experience as well, across the dynamic spectrum of organizations—from multinational corporations and various public and private sector entities. This guarantees that our programme objectives are surely achieved with qualitative design, content and delivery respectively. The participants are benefitted from direct and relevant experience which is recognizable and useful to them in their daily professional goals and aspirations.
For more details, please visit the following link: https://iodglobal.com/masterclass-for-directors#faculty-profile
IOD has recently launched its freshly revised and revamped portal IOD Directors Databank - A Platform for Directors, A Gateway for Companies, to fulfil the need of Directorship positions in various Boards at the same time supporting our ever evolving Boardroom Community. As India is marching towards a larger and booming economy, this “IOD Directors Databank” surely will play a pivotal role in bringing the world together.
More details about IOD Directors Databank can be viewed at: https://iodglobal.com/directorsdatabank/
Yes, the empanelment on the IOD Directors Databank is open to all individuals nationally and globally. However, IOD members and certified alumni enjoy special privilege of getting publicised and projected through various channels like social media platforms, IOD website and the monthly publications.
Yes, IOD maintains IOD Directors Databank which also acts as a gateway for companies. It not only maintains a distinguished panel of Directors, both male and female, who possess the requisite qualifications, experience, and enthusiasm to serve as Directors across a spectrum of major industries but also aids in offering comprehensive assistance to companies in fulfilling their Board Recruitment needs. It serves as a vital link, seamlessly connecting Corporates with the aspiring Directors.
IOD is predominantly dedicated to providing essential insights to public limited companies seeking both Executive and Non-Executive Directors. Our IOD Directors Databank functions as a dynamic gateway, seamlessly connecting corporates with aspiring professionals. While the Masterclass equips individuals with foundational skills, the role of Executive and Non-Executive Directors demands additional traits, including visibility and networking, which extend beyond the Masterclass curriculum.
Recognizing this, we position the Masterclass as a valuable step in this journey. Our focus lies in cultivating a larger pool of Board-ready professionals, emphasizing the holistic preparation required for effective placements in corporate leadership roles.
IOD's mission is to impart the essential skills and knowledge necessary for effective corporate governance and to cultivate a pool of qualified, eligible, and willing individuals. While it would not be fair to put a percentage of individuals who have acquired Board-level positions after completing our Masterclass, we are proud to have witnessed an enviable number of success stories within our community.
Potential employers consider the holistic background of candidates, and completion of our Masterclass can act as an additional qualification for leadership roles. Many of our participants have successfully secured positions in various corporations, while others have advanced in executive leadership roles.
We highly recommend our participants to consider showcasing their profiles on other relevant social portals to maximize visibility.
As per the strategic approach, we urge all our members and the Director alumni to enhance their chances of boardroom induction by actively participating in various conferences and seminars to showcase their talents. Networking with key individuals is a proven method to gain visibility and attract opportunities.
IOD India provides numerous opportunities for networking through its national and international conferences, presenting valuable opportunities to connect with influential figures in the corporate landscape.
You can view a compilation of past participants from earlier batches of Masterclass Training Programme by clicking on the link provided below;
https://iodglobal.com/masterclass-for-directors#previous-participations
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has provided a platform to develop a databank of Independent Directors by way of empanelment of existing Independent Directors as well as the aspiring professionals. Effective from 01st March, 2020, upon successful registration in the databank, every individual shall pass an online proficiency self-assessment test within a period of 2 years from the date of inclusion of his/her name in the databank.
IOD is an independent apex professional association for Directors and Senior Executives which conducts its flagship training programme ‘Masterclass for Directors’ leading to “Certified Corporate Director” – which is exclusively designed to assist you to pass the online test and address the challenges of the future board by up-skilling the aspiring Directors. It trains & certifies the existing Directors’ and aspiring Directors’ as “Certified Corporate Director”. It offers valuable and crucial insights on Board Processes and Board Strategic Involvement with a focus on the role of Independent Directors, Changing Statutory Regulations (LODR, Companies Act, MCA etc.,) including Board simulation exercise to validate & enhance the preparedness for the future roles and needs.
The objective is to develop a prominent databank of qualified Independent Directors by way of empanelment of all existing Independent Directors as well as the professionals aspiring to become Independent Directors.
Every Individual who intends to get appointed as an Independent Director in a company may register his/her name in the databank and apply for the Online Proficiency Self-Assessment test.
Any individual may voluntarily apply for the inclusion of his/her name in the databank. For detailed information on the application process for DIN, please refer to the following link: https://www.mca.gov.in/MinistryV2/applyfordin.html
The Online Proficiency Self-Assessment test comprises a total of 50 MCQ questions, divided into 25 direct questions and 25 scenario-based questions, each carrying two marks. The entire test is designed to be completed within a 75-minute time frame, giving an average of 1.5 minutes for each question.
Passing the Online Proficiency Self-Assessment test requires an individual to score at least fifty percent in aggregate.
Yes, there are few exemptions for the online proficiency test and those are given on the link https://www.independentdirectorsdatabank.in/self_assessment for your reference.
Yes. The certificate is generated online after passing/clearing of the online proficiency test. However, no printed certificate (hard copy) would be provided.
Presently, MCA has not notified any duration for the validity of the certificate. However, it shall be subject to any change in the said rules at the discretion of MCA.
IOD’s ‘Masterclass for Directors’ programme include exclusive sessions on the Mock Test followed by a detailed discussion on Mock Test giving a comprehensive overview to prepare individuals about the actual test.
If an individual fails to clear the online test in 1st attempt, the next slot can only be booked after 1 day from the previously booked slot date and time. There is no limit on the number of attempts an individual may take for passing the Online Proficiency Self-Assessment test.
Yes. The registration is required to be renewed based on the subscription plan selected. The databank would maintain the inclusion of the name for the said duration of subscription only. In order to keep the name included in the databank in compliance to the rules, the subscription is required to be renewed if not opted for lifetime.
(Empowering professionals to transition into Directorships)
“As India sets its sights on becoming the world’s 3rd-largest economy, the corporate sector is evolving rapidly and strong, independent leadership is more crucial than ever.”
Rising Demand: India’s corporate sector needs over 1,000 Independent Directors each year, driven by stricter governance norms and regulatory expectations.
Opportunity for Experts: Companies are actively looking for capable candidates such as Retired and senior professionals are well-positioned to contribute as Independent Directors, bringing strategic insight, experience, and mature judgment.
Public Sector Gap: 86% of Independent Director Positions in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are currently vacant, with 208 new appointments underway.
Corporate Trend: Over 53% of board members in NSE-200 companies are now Independent Directors, highlighting their growing role in corporate leadership.
(Empowering professionals to transition into Directorships)
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