ICSI President Flags SME IPO Opportunity as Key Growth Lever at Nagpur Conference

Nagpur, March 22, 2026: Highlighting the growing relevance of capital markets for emerging businesses, CS Pawan G. Chandak, President of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), emphasized that SME IPOs are set to play a pivotal role in India’s next phase of economic expansion.

Speaking at a one-day conference hosted by the Nagpur Chapter of WIRC of ICSI on “SME IPOs: Opportunities & Critical Compliance under the Companies Act, 2013,” CS Pawan G Chandak noted that Company Secretaries are increasingly transitioning from compliance managers to strategic advisors in the evolving corporate landscape.

“India’s growth trajectory will be anchored in strong governance and capital market access for SMEs. Company Secretaries are at the forefront of this transformation, enabling businesses to scale responsibly while maintaining regulatory integrity,” CS Pawan Chandak said.

The conference, held at Hotel Tuli Imperial, Nagpur, brought together policymakers, tax authorities, capital market experts, and professionals to deliberate on opportunities and compliance challenges in SME listings.

The event was attended by Shri. Vishwas Pathak, Independent Director, MSEB Holding Company Ltd., as Chief Guest, and Sandip Kumar Salunke, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Admin & TPS), Nagpur, as Special Guest. CS Ashish Karodia, Central Council Member, ICSI, was also present.

A key highlight was a panel discussion on “Identifying Opportunities in SME Listings,” featuring representatives from the National Stock Exchange, registrars, and investment banking professionals. The deliberations focused on enhancing access to capital, streamlining listing processes, and strengthening compliance frameworks.

In parallel engagements, CS Pawan G. Chandak also interacted with CS students who have cleared their CS Executive & CS Professional examinations, in December,2025 from the jurisdiction of Nagpur Chapter. The President, the ICSI as well interacted with former Chairmen of the Nagpur Chapter, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, institutional continuity, and knowledge sharing in strengthening the profession.

CS Mohit Batra, Chairman, Nagpur Chapter of WIRC of ICSI, said the initiative reflects the Chapter’s commitment to bridging industry, academia, and regulatory perspectives.

“By creating platforms for dialogue between regulators, industry leaders, and professionals, we aim to position Nagpur as a key centre for professional excellence and capital market discourse,” he said.

The event was successfully organized with the active support of the Chapter’s Managing Committee, including CS Harshal Killedar (Vice-Chairman), CS Monica Bhattad (Secretary), CS Vikas Gupta (Treasurer), and Members CS Bhavesh Thadani, CS Khushal Bajaj, and CS Sarrah Katawala. CS Deepti Joshi, Regional Council Member, WIRC of ICSI, was also present on the occasion.

The conference witnessed participation from over 150 members and students across the Vidarbha region, reflecting strong regional interest in SME capital markets and regulatory developments.