A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Central Council has announced a decision to resign from the council, stating that the move is intended to enable an independent pursuit of professional, reform-oriented and member-focused objectives.
The decision follows an extended period during which concerns were raised on matters relating to institutional governance, ethical practices, student welfare and decision-making processes. According to the statement, more than 50 communications were submitted over a period of around 18 months to bring these issues to the institution’s attention, with limited progress reported on several matters.
The resignation has been described as a strategic transition rather than a withdrawal from the Chartered Accountancy profession. The stated intention is to continue addressing issues concerning Chartered Accountants, students and young professionals while operating outside the institutional constraints associated with council-level processes.
The former council member has also indicated plans to remain involved in professional mentoring, ethical leadership and capacity-building initiatives. The proposed areas of continued engagement include artificial intelligence (AI), environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, cybersecurity and emerging professional skills relevant to the future of the profession.
The statement also raises concerns over institutional inertia, majority-driven decision-making and delays in implementing student-centric reforms. It suggests that operating independently of the council could provide greater flexibility to pursue advocacy, education and professional development initiatives.
The resignation has been positioned as a change in the method of pursuing reform rather than a disengagement from the Chartered Accountancy profession. The stated view is that professional values, reform commitments and support for students and members can continue irrespective of holding an institutional position.
The development marks a shift from pursuing reforms from within the ICAI Central Council to continuing professional advocacy, mentoring and capacity-building efforts through an independent platform. CA Sansaar