India's premier boardroom certification — equipping directors and senior executives with governance frameworks, strategic leadership skills, and the confidence to lead high-performing boards.
Brochure
Boardroom leadership demands more than experience—it requires precise governance expertise. Our condensed weekend certification masterclass equips ambitious Directors and Executives with critical governance frameworks, fiduciary roles, and boardroom dynamics to excel in the boardroom. Whether you are aiming for your first seat or maximizing your current effectiveness, shape the future of your directorship here.
IOD through Masterclass for Directors works towards raising the standards of India's boardroom functioning. The programme is specifically designed around professional competencies and delivered by directors, for directors.
The course is under continuous watch to keep it updated with the latest regulatory changes, global trends and practices — offering a suite of governance training to equip you at each stage of your development as a director.
For over three decades, IOD has been empowering business leaders by conducting hundreds of Masterclass for Directors batches across the country, helping directors, boards, and organisations strengthen governance, improve decision-making, and achieve sustainable growth.
The ever-changing quality of the marketplace today requires that boards continually evolve and grow. Whether you're a newly appointed director, aspiring to a position on the board, or looking to improve your performance — this programme equips you with the crucial knowledge and skill-set to fulfil your role successfully.
As per SEBI (LODR) Regulation 25(7)(c), listed entities shall familiarise independent directors through training programmes about roles, rights and responsibilities.
Additionally, regulatory mandates on board diversity have accelerated the need for experienced and competent women directors. As per SEBI requirements, the top 1,000 listed companies are required to appoint at least one Woman Independent Director on their boards
Earn a globally recognised certification on successful completion and project submission.
Prepare with us for the mandatory online proficiency self-assessment test for Independent Directors.
3-day offline weekend sessions or 4-day virtual programmes across two weekends.
Learn from Experienced Industry Leaders
Min. experience
5 yrs
Senior management
IOD offers training programme in open format where participants from various sectors, geographies and rich experience participate in training programme conducted over a period of 3-4 days based on your mode of attending. The programme can be joined in two different modes.
Virtual
This is offered over a period of 4 days for two consecutive weekends. This allows the participant to access learning through technology at their convenience.
Offline
This is offered over a period of 3 days and is conducted in major metro cities at premium venues. This allows the participant to choose the venue and dates as per their convenience.
IOD's Boardroom training programmes are delivered in a variety of formats to best suit the company's needs. This programme is delivered in two formats, covering topics/ modules in much greater details.
Virtual
Virtual Class: Under this format, the course is delivered virtually spread over 4 days (3 modules of 90 -120 min each per day), with special focus on business sectors and customised modules with relevant business examples.
Offline
Offline Class: Under this format, the course is delivered physically at the premises of client or a neutral venue as finalized, spread over 3 full days (4 modules of 90 -120 min each per day) with special focus on business sectors and customised modules with relevant business examples. This is generally planned when all the board members are present at one place for a particular period.
All batches are limited in size to ensure quality interaction. Reserve your seat early.
| Batch | Format | City | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #Batch No. 409 | Offline | Bengaluru | November 20, 21 & 22, 2026 | Register |
| #Batch No. 410 | Offline | Delhi | December 04, 05 & 06, 2026 | Register |
| #Batch No. 411 | Offline | Gandhinagar (Gujarat) | December 11, 12 & 13, 2026 | Register |
| #Batch No. 412 | Offline | Chennai | December 11, 12 & 13, 2026 | Register |
| #Batch No. 413 | Online | All India | Dec. 12-13 & 19-20, 2026 | Register |
| #Batch No. 414 | Offline | Mumbai | Jan. 08, 09 & 10, 2027 | Register |
| #Batch No. 415 | Offline | Pune | January 15, 16 & 17, 2027 | Register |
| #Batch No. 416 | Offline | Hyderabad | Feb. 19, 20 & 21, 2027 | Register |
Upon completion of this programme you will be equipped to lead with confidence, govern with integrity, and deliver exceptional value at the board level.
Apply decision making skills and implement strategies for your board.
Identify the fiduciary and compliance responsibilities of directors.
Improve your knowledge of the governance and ethical expectations of board members.
Outline what risk is and how to implement risk management techniques.
Enhance your value and reputation to the board.
Strengthen your ability to secure directorship opportunities.
On successful completion of the Masterclass for Directors programme and submission of the Project Study Report, participants are awarded the prestigious 'Certified Corporate Director' certification by the Institute of Directors, India — nationally and internationally recognised.
Enjoy a 1 year complimentary membership of IOD
End-to-end support for empanelment on IOD Directors Databank
Exclusive Handbooks, practical guide and reading materials included
Enhance your visibility and join a distinguished network of governance professionals
Sharing relevant knowledge is the best aspect of this course
One of the best and relevant training program.
Balanced Scorecard, Finance for Non Finance Directors, Duties & Liabilities and Corporate Transformation are the best aspects.
Excellent Training Program for Corporate Directors
A very useful course.
This is quite comprehensive, all about the Company Law & the Director responsibilities. A very well organized course.
I cleared my IOD accreditation during 2014 Nov batch from Mumbai and thereafter my life has moved on a different leadership trajectory. I am extremely fortunate to be able to guide a few Non-profit Organisations as well as a couple of family business as a Board Member. I do these all on honorary basis due to my personal passion. Money has never been a consideration since then, it is all about giving back to society/supply chain fraternity.
Foundational and practical understanding of the corporate legal framework in India. Highlighting it’s relevance and application in Boardroom.
Essential understanding of the role, duties and legal responsibilities and liabilities of Directors and the working environment of a Board.
Principles and tenets of corporate governance, international codes, frameworks, practices and key requirements for stakeholder-centric governance.
Role, functions, rights and liabilities of Independent Directors; Schedule IV of Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
Best practices of effective Boards including leadership, composition, skills-mix, board reviews and how boards can add greater strategic value.
Financial literacy as a key director skill: statutory provisions, financial terms, financial statements, accounting standards, sources of finance and budgeting.
Evaluating organisational health, liquidity, solvency, key aspects of M&A, decision-making, control and identifying early warning signs of financial failure.
Strategy setting as an important board role, encompassing globalisation, digitisation, emerging technologies, sustainability and the new workforce dimension.
Identifying, evaluating and managing risks including social, ethical, environmental, reputational, fraud and cybersecurity risks; ERM process and frameworks.
Building a sustainable business — environmental responsibility, supply chain transformation and ESG strategy aligned with BRSR reporting frameworks.
Mandatory Board Committees under Company law and SEBI Regulations with sharper focus on the Audit Committee and its statutory significance.
Real-time simulation of a Quarterly Boardroom meeting — applying regulatory and governance knowledge in a live practice environment.
Board meeting processes, agenda setting, minutes, recording dissent, managing conflict of interest and collaborative working within the Board.
Exponential technology developments — AI governance, changing business models, digital disruption and the board's role in strategic technology decisions.
Role of internal audit in protecting and enhancing organisational value under the Companies Act, 2013; modern internal auditing practices.
Personal liability provisions for directors facing insolvency or bankruptcy; key aspects directors must keep in mind under the IBC.
Key provisions of the Competition Act, its relevance to the company board and safeguards companies need for adequate regulatory compliance.
Structured discussion on mock test papers for the mandatory online Independent Directors Proficiency Test — preparatory session.
Comprehensive pre-reading materials provided before the programme, covering background references across all training modules to maximise in-session learning.
Each participant prepares a project study on any subject covered in the programme. Sample report and guidelines provided post completion of the Masterclass. For further information, kindly write to training@iodglobal.com
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):
IN-HOUSE FORMAT (For corporates):
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 vis-à-vis Liabilities, 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 Chairperson, Directors, Presidents, CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, 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-directorsThe 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 enroll:
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.
Each masterclass participant is required to submit a Project Study Report within 45 days from the completion of this Masterclass. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the insights and learnings you have gained from the programme.
You may draw from scenarios from your own organization—without naming the company (you may refer to it as “ABC Company”)—or you may choose well-known case studies. The report should be between 15 to 25 pages and can be based on any topic from the modules covered during the Masterclass.
To assist you, we will email a sample report and guidelines on how to write the report post completion of masterclass for clarity. 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 past 3 decades, IOD has a legacy of engaging 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
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-participationsThe 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. IOD conducts its flagship training programme “Masterclass for Directors” leading to “Certified Corporate Director” exclusively designed to assist you to pass the online test and address the challenges of the future board by up-skilling the aspiring Directors.
“Masterclass for Directors” help participants prepare systematically for the Online Proficiency Self-Assessment Test by combining structured learning, expert guidance, relevant study material, mock test and practical boardroom insights—enabling them to approach the assessment with greater clarity and preparedness.
The IOD Directors Databank aims to create a credible and structured platform that connects qualified and competent professionals aspiring to serve on company boards with organisations seeking suitable Board Directors.
Although, we are not a placement agency but considering our long-standing relationship in the industry, the IOD Directors Databank serves as a bridge between Board-ready professionals and organisations looking for suitable candidates for Board positions, while contributing to stronger corporate governance practices.
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. You can apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN) through the MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) portal by filling the required online form and submitting your identity and address proof.
If you are becoming a Director of a new company, DIN can be applied for as part of the company incorporation process.
https://www.mca.gov.in/content/mca/global/en/mca/e-filing/din-related-forms.htmlThe 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.
On the last day of IOD’s ‘Masterclass for Directors’ programme, there is a Mock Test on Independent Directors Proficiency Test followed by its detailed discussion giving a comprehensive overview to prepare individuals for 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.