Gandhinagar | February 21, 2026: In a significant step toward strengthening India’s international financial ecosystem, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalize a standardized corporate governance ecosystem at GIFT-IFSC.

The MoU was formally signed on February 20, 2026, at the IFSCA headquarters in **GIFT City, Gujarat, by IICA Director General & CEO Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh and IFSCA Chairperson K. Rajaraman, in the presence of senior officials and dignitaries.

Strengthening India’s International Financial Services Framework

As the unified regulator of India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), IFSCA operates within the legal framework of the Companies Act, 2013, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Entities operating within IFSC are granted specific regulatory exemptions to promote global competitiveness.

IICA, functioning under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is a leading think tank in corporate governance, regulatory capacity building, and policy advisory services.

The new MoU establishes a structured framework for collaboration in:

• Capacity building

• Policy research

• Knowledge sharing

• Governance standard enhancement

The objective is to enhance regulatory effectiveness and reinforce corporate governance standards within GIFT-IFSC.

Focus Areas of Collaboration

Under the agreement, IICA will provide:

• Online certificate training programs

• Induction and specialized training for IFSCA officials

• Policy advisory support

• Leadership development initiatives

Training modules will cover areas such as:

• Corporate and allied laws

• Corporate governance best practices

• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks

• Cross-border transactions

• Corporate restructuring

Leadership Statements

Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh stated that IICA is committed to working closely with IFSCA to promote a standardized corporate governance system and launch customized capacity-building programs.

IFSCA Chairperson K. Rajaraman emphasized the need for a time-bound action plan and highlighted the importance of jointly organizing annual corporate governance programs, including specialized courses for companies incorporated under IFSCA’s jurisdiction in GIFT City.

Boost to India’s Global Financial Ambitions

The strategic collaboration is expected to:

• Enhance regulatory credibility

• Align governance practices with global standards

• Strengthen investor confidence

• Position GIFT-IFSC as a competitive global financial hub

The initiative marks another milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a leading international financial services destination.