New Delhi: The first batch of the Corporate Mitra course began with 2,879 learners registered, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs said. The programme aims to build a trained pool of certified paraprofessionals for MSMEs.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India launched the course under MCA guidance.
The launch of the Corporate Mitra Learning Management System marked the start of structured learning and capability development. The programme seeks to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises manage business and regulatory compliance.
The Government of India announced the Corporate Mitra initiative in the Union Budget 2026-27. It aims to create trained and certified paraprofessionals who can provide compliance support to MSMEs.
The initiative combines the professional expertise of ICAI, ICSI and ICoAI. It also uses technology and academic support from IIT Madras, IIT Madras Pravartak and SWAYAM Plus.
The course was launched at an event at the ICAI Head Office in New Delhi. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs Anita Shah Akella attended the programme.
Director-PI of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs Mahendra Kumar also attended the event. ICAI President CA. Prasanna Kumar D, Vice-President CA. Mangesh P. Kinare and Secretary CA. (Dr.) Jai Kumar Batra were present.
Corporate Mitra course sets out two-stage training
The Corporate Mitra course will run for 12 months in two stages. The first six months will include about 150 hours of structured academic learning through recorded video lectures.
After that, learners will undergo six months of on-the-job training. Professional firms of ICAI, ICSI and ICoAI members will provide the workplace training.
The programme aims to create a skilled cadre of certified paraprofessionals. They will provide affordable professional support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
According to the ministry, the initiative will support ease of doing business and employment generation. It will also promote inclusive economic growth by improving access to professional support.
Speaking at the event, Joint Secretary Anita Shah Akella said, “Corporate Mitra seeks to make compliance less intimidating and knowledge more accessible for entrepreneurs.”
She emphasised that the initiative sought to change compliance from a burden into an enabler. She linked the programme with trust, transparency, accountability and orderly growth.
The academic component provides learners with a broad understanding of MSME operations. It also covers the support needs that businesses may face during their growth and formalisation.
The digital learning system will offer expert-led recorded lectures and reference material. In addition, learners will receive assessments, announcements, FAQs and access to discussion forums.
The event was also attended by President of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India CMA Chittaranjan Chattopadhyay. Vice-President CMA Manoj Kumar Anand and other senior officials also participated.
Representatives from all three professional institutes attended the launch. Their participation reflected the joint role of the professional bodies in delivering the programme.
The commencement of the Corporate Mitra course marked a step towards developing skilled paraprofessionals. The programme is expected to support the formalisation and growth of India’s MSME ecosystem.
