NEW DELHI- April 4, 2026- The School of Law and Legal Studies (VSLLS), Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies - Technical Campus (VIPS-TC), held the inaugural ceremony for its 30-Hour Value-Added Course, “ESG 2.0: Law, Policy and Practice,” on March 30, 2026. The virtual event focused on the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks within the Indian legal profession.

The inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Shardul S. Shroff, Founder and Executive Chairman of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. Dr. Shroff discussed the transition of ESG from a voluntary framework to a core component of corporate strategy and legal compliance.

“ESG is no longer about avoiding negative impacts alone. It is about creating long-term value… building businesses that are not just profitable but resilient, credible, future ready,” Dr. Shroff stated during the session. He further noted that “Those who understand this shift early are not just complying with the expectations — they are positioning themselves ahead of the curve.”

The 30-hour course is structured to provide both technical depth and practical understanding of ESG, covering international legal frameworks, social and human rights considerations, and the role of technology in reporting. To ensure a cross-disciplinary perspective, expert contributors include Ms. Umang Pathak (Trilegal), Mr. Rajib Kumar Debnath (Nangia Global), and Dr. Deborshi Barat (S&R Associates). Insights from the corporate sector are being provided by leaders such as Ms. Shrutee Ganguly (Net Zero & Sustainability) and Ms. Vidhi Thukral (Axis Max Life Insurance).

The Academic perspectives are equally robust, featuring Dr. Vijay K. Singh of SRM University, Dr. Vidhi Madaan Chadda and Dr. Mohit Gupta from the University of Delhi, and Dr. M.P. Chengappa of WBNUJS, Kolkata. Legal experts Mr. Abraham Joseph (AALCO), Mr. Pranav Rajput, and senior associates Komal Karnik and Ramisha Jain from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas further round out the faculty.

Internal faculty contributors include Prof. (Dr.) Rashmi Salpekar, Mr. Aaditya V. Sharma and Dr. Honey Sharma from VSLLS, VIPS-TC.

The inaugural session was attended by 350 participants, including law students, alumni, faculty members, and legal professionals. Prof. (Dr.) Rashmi Salpekar, Dean of VSLLS, VIPS-TC, emphasized the requirement for law students to develop a cross-disciplinary understanding of regulatory frameworks. In addition, Dr. Honey Sharma, Course Convener, stated that the program’s application-oriented approach, supported by these industry experts, aims to prepare participants for emerging challenges in the global regulatory landscape.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Prof. (Dr.) TV Subba Rao, Chairperson, VSLLS, VIPS-TC, reinforcing the importance of academic engagement with ethical governance.