SGPA successfully hosted IMPACTx 2025 from 17–19 December 2025, a three-day business and policy conclave that brought together academicians, industry leaders, policy professionals, and students to deliberate on the evolving relationship between business and public policy in shaping India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat. The event served as an important platform for dialogue, reflection, and knowledge exchange on contemporary governance challenges and collaborative solutions.
Over the three days, the conclave featured a series of panel discussions, expert talks, and interactive sessions led by distinguished professionals from industry, consulting, and the public policy domain. The discussions focused on outcome-oriented policymaking, the implementation gap in public policy, ethical standards in governance, and the role of industry in supporting national development goals. Speakers shared practical insights drawn from their experiences in public policy consulting, corporate governance, digital transformation, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and large-scale infrastructure and industrial operations.
Day 1 featured the inaugural address by Fr. Antony Raj, S.J., Registrar, XIM University, who emphasized ethical leadership, institutional values, and social responsibility. Ms. Sayantani Chatterjee- Public Affairs Lead-India, Global PA team, Inter IKEA shared her perspective on public policy as an outcome-driven process, emphasizing that policies must remain flexible, ethical, and responsive to feedback in order to remain relevant. Complementing this discussion, Dr. Srikanta Kumar Mohapatra- Delivery Head, Cloud Infrastructure Unit, TCS-Bhubaneswar spoke on the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, linking it to India’s digital infrastructure, demographic dividend, and the shared responsibility of government, industry, and citizens in achieving inclusive growth.
Day 2 featured sessions that highlighted the interface between industry expertise and public policymaking. Mr. Mitrabhanu Choudhury, Partner, Strategy & Transactions, Government and Public Sector, EY India offered a practitioner’s perspective on how consulting firms work alongside governments to shape policies, design regulatory frameworks, and align diverse stakeholder interests. His session helped demystify policymaking as a dynamic ecosystem shaped by evidence, negotiation, and innovation. Alongside this, Mr. Khurram Naayaab- General Manager, CSR for Vedanta Group and Head- Governance for Anil Agarwal Foundation, shared his experiences from Project Nand Ghar, illustrating how CSR in India has evolved from a compliance-driven approach to a transformative model that delivers measurable impact in early childhood development, women’s entrepreneurship, and community resilience.
On Day 3, Ms. Ananya Seth- Manager, Primus Partners – Policy Consulting, New Delhi shared insights from her work in public policy, government consulting, and G20 engagements across India and South-East Asia. Mr. Anshul Gupta- Assistant Vice President, Hindalco Industries Ltd., Mumbai discussed enterprise risk management, crisis preparedness, and resilience-building, drawing from over 15 years of professional experience and award-winning leadership in risk management. Mr. USR Raju- Executive Director – Odisha Operations, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd. reflected on his 31-year career in mining and industrial operations, including his role in commissioning India’s longest slurry pipelines and large-scale pellet plants.
A key highlight of IMPACTx 2025 was its strong emphasis on collaboration between government, industry, and communities. The sessions explored how consulting firms support governments in policy design and implementation, how CSR initiatives can drive transformative social outcomes, and how industry capabilities can complement public sector vision in achieving inclusive and sustainable development. Interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions enabled meaningful engagement between speakers and participants, enriching the learning experience for students and young professionals.
The concluding sessions reinforced the importance of policy–industry synergy, ethical leadership, and institutional collaboration in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. IMPACTx 2025 reaffirmed SGPA’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, policy-relevant scholarship, and experiential learning, concluding with a shared recognition that India’s development trajectory will be shaped by collaborative governance, responsible business practices, and informed, action-oriented public policy.
