To ensure good Corporate Governance SEBI has issued a rule that there would be a statutory requirement for the companies to have specified number of Independent Directors (one third) on their Board from January 2006.

For the mere sake of compliance a company may appoint Independent Directors but whether they are really independent in their thinking, approach and actions is a debatable issue.

This course is open to chartered accountants, solicitors, advocates or management consultants. It will contribute in helping them achieving a balance of knowledge, skills, attitudes and other directorial resources. The course briefs the candidates on corporate laws, rules, guidelines, ethics and study of balance sheets. It also trains them on what kind of questions to ask in board meetings during mergers and acquisitions or hostile takeovers.

SPJIMR conducted the following programmes on Independent Directors :

SPJIMR and BCAS jointly offered the first modular public programme for aspiring and accomplished independent directors from 30th November, 2004 to 6th November, 2004. Twenty aspiring professionals attended the programme. The programme was well received.

The second modular public programme was conducted from 27th August, 2005 to 14th October, 2005. The programme attracted 35 participants. Some of them were Independent Directors and executive directors on the boards of companies, others who assisted the board, and a few budding entrepreneurs, professionals and some from sectors other than corporate participated in the programme. The programme was much appreciated and received considerable media attention.