ICSI Extends 5th Business Responsibility and Sustainability Awards Deadline to August 31, 2026

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India has extended the last date for submissions to the 5th ICSI Business Responsibility and Sustainability Awards to 31 August 2026. The extension gives eligible organisations additional time to complete and submit their entries for the 2026 awards cycle.

According to the official ICSI award flyer, the programme is open to listed entities and unlisted companies. ICSI has also stated that there is no participation fee for the awards.

Who can participate

The 5th ICSI Business Responsibility and Sustainability Awards recognise corporate performance in business responsibility and sustainability. The official flyer identifies two broad eligibility groups: listed entities and unlisted companies.

The award structure shown by ICSI includes one award each for the best corporate in two segments: Service and Non-Service, with the latter covering areas such as manufacturing and mining.

Revised deadline: August 31

The most important update for prospective applicants is the revised submission timeline. ICSI has expressly stated that the last date for submission has been extended to 31 August 2026. Organisations that were preparing an entry but had not completed the process now have the benefit of the extended window.

Because award applications can require coordination across secretarial, sustainability, finance, legal and governance teams, companies should use the remaining time to verify supporting information, internal approvals and the accuracy of disclosures before filing.

Where to find the official application information

ICSI has a dedicated 2026 corporate-governance awards portal covering multiple award programmes, including the 5th Business Responsibility and Sustainability Awards. The portal provides sections for the award overview, categories, previous awardees, the application route, the submission deadline and contact information.

Applicants should use the official ICSI portal and the latest award flyer for the final submission process rather than relying on third-party summaries, particularly because the deadline has now been revised.

Why the extension matters for governance and sustainability teams

The award is relevant not only to company secretaries but also to teams responsible for sustainability reporting, governance, board reporting and corporate disclosures. For listed entities in particular, business responsibility and sustainability reporting has become an important part of the broader disclosure and governance environment.

The extension therefore provides a short additional preparation window for organisations that want their submission to accurately reflect governance processes, sustainability initiatives and supporting evidence.

Eligible listed entities and unlisted companies intending to participate in the 5th ICSI Business Responsibility and Sustainability Awards should treat 31 August 2026 as the revised submission deadline and verify the latest application instructions on ICSI's official awards portal before filing. The official flyer states that participation is free.

Useful official links

5th ICSI Business Responsibility and Sustainability Awards - Official Flyer

Key takeaway

The live deadline extension creates immediate action-oriented value for listed entities, unlisted companies, company secretaries and sustainability/compliance teams preparing award submissions.