CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ESG PRACTICES TOWARD SUMMIT 2047 GOALS: ALIGNING ETHICS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND PERFORMANCE IN INDIAN ENTERPRISES
Keywords:
Corporate Governance, ESG, Sustainability, Ethical Leadership, Viksit Bharat 2047Abstract
Corporate governance (CG) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices have become essential pillars for achieving India's Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047 vision of sustainable, transparent, and inclusive economic growth. As regulatory expectations, investor priorities, and stakeholder demands increasingly emphasize accountability and responsible business conduct, Indian enterprises are integrating ESG principles into their governance frameworks and long-term strategies. This study examines the relationship between corporate governance quality and ESG performance in Indian enterprises through a mixed-method approach combining a review of ESG disclosures of NIFTY-listed companies with insights from expert interviews. The findings indicate that strong board independence, gender diversity, transparent governance, and ethical leadership significantly enhance ESG performance. Improved ESG practices strengthen corporate reputation, increase investor confidence, improve regulatory compliance, and contribute to long-term financial resilience and sustainable value creation. The study concludes that effective corporate governance extends beyond regulatory compliance, serving as a strategic driver of ethical business practices, sustainable competitiveness, and inclusive economic development aligned with India's Vision 2047.
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