IIT Kanpur Executive Certificate • Batch 4
Professional Certificate in
ESG & Business Sustainability
Live Online Executive Program with IIT Kanpur Campus Immersion. Equip yourself with practical ESG frameworks, GHG carbon accounting, Climate risk strategies, and Governance standards.
Program dates
Duration & format
Program fee
Application fee
Admissions helpdesk
Alumni Network
Alumni Rating
Included
Credentials
Institutional Overview
About the Program
Bridging environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance for strategic decision-makers.
Strategic ESG Imperative
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have evolved from voluntary compliance into core business strategies. Regulatory mandates (BRSR, TCFD, EU taxonomy) and investor expectations demand qualified leaders who can measure, report, and drive sustainable transformations.
IIT Kanpur Academic Rigour
Offered by the Office of Outreach Activities (OOA), IIT Kanpur, this program combines rigorous academic grounding with practical executive tools. Participants gain hands-on expertise in GHG inventories (Scope 1, 2, 3), decarbonization roadmaps, and stakeholder alignment.
Executive Networking & Immersion
Connect with industry peers across corporate sustainability, EHS, finance, and consulting. Experience interactive live weekend modules including engaging hands-on practical session at IIT Kanpur.
Core Architectural Framework
The Three Pillars of ESG & Sustainability
Interactive breakdown of Environmental Stewardship, Social Equity, and Governance Integrity.
Pillar
Environmental
Decarbonization, resource efficiency, and climate adaptation strategies.
- Scope 1, 2 & 3 GHG inventories & carbon accounting
- Net-zero transition roadmaps & renewable energy
- Circular economy & climate risk (TCFD framework)
Pillar
Social
Human capital, workplace equity, and stakeholder community impact.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- Labor rights, supply chain ethics & human rights
- Community engagement & CSR alignment
- POSH - Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace
Pillar
Governance
Board oversight, corporate ethics, and regulatory compliance disclosures.
- Ethics, anti-corruption & whistle-blower mechanisms
- Board diversity & executive compensation structures
- Regulatory disclosures (BRSR, GRI, SASB compliance)
Target Audience
Who Should Attend
Designed for professionals seeking to lead ESG integration and drive organizational sustainability.
ESG & EHS Practitioners
Sustainability managers, EHS officers, and compliance leads aiming to upgrade carbon accounting and BRSR disclosure skills.
Career Transitioners
Working executives from operations, legal, marketing, or HR moving into specialized ESG strategy and advisory roles.
Consultants & Advisory
Management consultants, auditors, and financial analysts advising clients on ESG risk, ratings, and green finance.
Freshers & Graduates
Recent graduates and early-career professionals seeking foundational certification from IIT Kanpur to launch an ESG career.
Admissions Standards
Eligibility Criteria
Ensuring a cohort of committed executive participants and qualified graduates.
Freshers & Graduates
- Bachelor’s / Graduation degree from a recognized university
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks in graduation
- Strong interest in corporate sustainability & ESG frameworks
Working Professionals
- Bachelor’s / Graduation degree from a recognized university
- Minimum 45% aggregate marks in graduation
- Minimum 2+ years of relevant work experience
Academic Structure
Curriculum Modules
6 comprehensive modules combining theoretical foundations with real-world executive applications.
Introduction to ESG and Business Sustainability
Foundations of ESG, global climate commitments, UN SDGs, regulatory evolution, and business case for sustainability.
Environmental Pillar of ESG
GHG accounting (Scope 1, 2, 3), net-zero roadmaps, water stewardship, waste management, circular economy, and TCFD risk reporting.
Social Pillar of ESG
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), human rights in supply chains, occupational health & safety, and community impact alignment, POSH.
Governance Pillar of ESG
Corporate ethics, anti-corruption systems, board diversity, executive compensation, whistle-blower protection, and transparency.
ESG Investing and Finance
Green investing, green bonds, sustainable finance, carbon markets, and ESG integration in portfolio management.
Case Studies and Best Practices Related to ESG
Real-world Indian & global corporate case studies, BRSR framework application, hands-on capstone project, and executive presentation.
Rigorous Evaluation
Assessment & Evaluation
Practice-based evaluation designed to ensure real-world executive mastery — no traditional written exams.
Quizzes & Assignments
Faculty-led module quizzes and practical case study assignments testing theoretical concepts.
Case Discussions
Interactive group discussions analyzing real-world corporate ESG challenges and solutions.
Practical Capstone Project
Comprehensive ESG disclosure or strategy project applied to a real corporate environment.
Note: Specific assignment scoring thresholds and mandatory attendance percentages for the Certificate of Completion are subject to final program office confirmation.
IIT Kanpur Certification
Credentials Awarded
Recognizing full program completion and formal approved exit options.
Primary Credential
Certificate of Completion
Awarded by the Office of Outreach Activities, IIT Kanpur, upon successful completion of the full 4-month program and capstone requirements. This credential carries significant institutional weight and is directly issued by one of India's premier technical institutions.
- Dual Format: Official digital e-certificate + physical hard copy certificate
- Institutional Verification: Verifiable credential issued directly by OOA, IIT Kanpur
- Career Value: Recognized by employers, investors, and regulatory bodies for ESG expertise
- Executive Status: Includes campus immersion recognition and capstone designation
Approved Exit Credential
Certificate of Participation
Issued to participants who opt for an approved halfway exit following formal written notice by 10 February, 2027. This is a digital e-certificate only, confirming completion of introductory modules. No refund applies to the voluntary halfway exit option under any circumstance.
- Format: Official digital e-certificate only (no hard copy)
- Halfway Exit Point: 3 February, 2027 (written notice required by 10 Feb, 2027)
- No Refund: Voluntary halfway exit carries no financial refund of any kind
Investment & Enrollment
Program Fee & Installments
Transparent, institutional fee structure inclusive of executive campus immersion.
Full Program
Program Fee
- Includes executive campus immersion at IIT Kanpur
- Covers all 6 modules, live lectures & capstone grading
- Certificate of Completion (e-certificate + hard copy)
One-Time Registration
Application Fee
- Payable once at time of application submitting
- Non-refundable & non-transferable under all circumstances
- Validates document verification & admissions processing
Flexible 3-Installment Payment Option
The program fee (Rs. 98,000/- + 18% GST) can be paid in 3 easy installments. Applies strictly to the program fee, not the application fee.
International Payments
International participants pay fixed USD rates for enrollment. Key terms for international participants include:
- Program Fee: USD 1400 (fixed rate — does not fluctuate with daily currency conversion)
- Application Fee: USD 20 (fixed rate, non-refundable as with domestic applicants)
- No Installment Option: International participants must pay the full program fee in a single payment (this remains unchanged).
- Early Cancellation Refund: If applicable within the standard cancellation 30 Nov 2026, a fixed USD 200 administrative deduction applies,(subject to currency conversion and market rate.)
- Cancellation by 15 Dec, 2026: 20% deduction of program fees.(subject to currency conversion and market rate.)
Confirmed Discount Framework
Discounts apply strictly to the program fee (Rs. 98,000 base) and not to the application fee.
- 10% for groups of 4
- 15% for groups of 5 or more
- Valid until 30 Nov, 2026
Institutional Policy
Cancellation, Refund & Exit Policy
Clear and transparent guidelines governing withdrawals, refunds, and exit options.
Cancellation Before Commencement
Written cancellation notice received before program commencement (30 Nov, 2026):
- 100% Program Fee Refunded: if full/partial program fee is paid prior to course commencement.
- No refund request accepted after 30 November, 2026.
Early Cancellation Window (5–13 Dec, 2026)
Covers the first two weekends / four live classes. Written cancellation notice must be submitted by 15 December, 2026.
- 20% of program fee deducted as administrative & academic charges.
- 80% of program fee refunded to source bank account.
Participant Experiences
Hear from Our Achievers
Rated 4.75/5 — hear directly from executives and professionals who have completed IIT Kanpur OOA certificate courses.
“The IIT Kanpur ESG and Sustainability Program was a well-structured and insightful learning experience. The curriculum covered a broad range of ESG concepts, sustainability frameworks, governance practices, and practical business applications clearly. The faculty brought valuable perspectives.”
“The ESG program helps in the practical calculation of Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions and provides detailed knowledge of ESG reporting. It helps me understand how ESG principles relate to my daily work activities and responsibilities.”
“It was a great live class session, and I learned a lot of new things about ESG. The faculty members truly lived up to the high standards of IITK.”
“Grateful to IIT Kanpur for an insightful ESG and sustainability course. The program provided practical knowledge, expert guidance, and valuable perspectives to support sustainable decision-making in my consulting business.”
“Great experience, especially with Rajiv Sir. Extremely useful knowledge on non-financial disclosures.”
“I enrolled in the ESG Certification program to broaden my perspective beyond traditional EHS practices. The program provided practical knowledge on sustainability and governance with real-world insights.”
“This program at IIT Kanpur helped me develop a solid foundation by connecting sustainability concepts, frameworks, reporting standards, and calculations in a structured way.”
“The program was very intense and exhaustive - a great learning experience. The faculty were exceptional both in terms of the material shared as well as the engaging style of presenting the data. I have learnt a lot from this program, and this will help me pivot into this field. The curriculum and its delivery ensured that it covered the wide domain of the subject and still managed to explore in detailed depth the essential parts of the program. The cohort mates were also very enthusiastic and the faculty responded in a very professional manner, which was quite impressive. The overall management kept the course well organized and on schedule. The assignments offered a great learning opportunity and provided insights into the practical implementation of the concepts. The resources and reference materials shared were very useful and provided a rich collection of information in the field.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Program FAQs
The program follows a weekend format (10:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Saturday / Sunday live sessions). Exact session start and end times have not yet been confirmed by the program office and will be communicated to enrolled participants ahead of the program commencement date (5 December, 2026). This page will be updated as soon as confirmed timings are received.
No. Full program fee is payable in a single payment — no installment option is available for international participants. Key payment terms for international applicants include:
- Program Fee: USD 1400 (fixed rate — does not fluctuate with daily currency conversion)
- Application Fee: USD 20 (fixed rate, non-refundable as with domestic applicants)
- Early Cancellation Refund: If applicable within the standard cancellation window, a fixed USD 200 administrative deduction applies, rather than a live-converted percentage — remaining amount refunded to source account.
All discounts apply strictly to the base program fee (Rs. 98,000) — not to the application fee:
- 10% Early Bird — valid 1–30 Sep, 2026, for full one-shot payment
- 10% Bulk Corporate — valid until 30 Nov, 2026, for groups of 4 participants
- 15% Bulk Corporate — valid until 30 Nov, 2026, for groups of 5 or more participants
- 8% Institutional — valid until 30 Nov, 2026, for IITK alumni, faculty, regular/project staff, students, and govt. officials
Discounts cannot be combined. Contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
There are two cancellation windows:
- Full program fee refund: If written application received before 30 Nov. 2027 full program fee will be refunded. Application fee non-refundable.
- Early Cancellation Window (5–13 Dec, 2026): If written application is received by 15 Dec 2026. 20% administration fee will be deducted; 80% of program fee refunded to source account. No refunds accepted after 15 December , 2026.
The application fee (Rs. 1,180) is non-refundable under all circumstances.
For all admissions, fee, and eligibility queries, contact the OOA admissions office directly:
- Email: ocp_admissions@iitk.ac.in
- Office Phone: +91-512-259-4240
- Admissions Helpdesk: +91-8869922052 • +91-8853369434
- Address: Office of Outreach Activities, IIT Kanpur, Kalyanpur, Kanpur, UP – 208016
- Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM IST
You can also use the Contact Us form for a written enquiry.