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CA Mayur Agrawal
Chairman - EIRC
Dear Professional Colleagues,
As the 70th Chairman of the Eastern India Regional Council, I feel deeply honoured to address you through this Newsletter for the first time. I extend my sincere gratitude to my colleagues, Team EIRC and to all members for reposing their trust and confidence in me.
The world around us is not gradually changing — it is transforming at unprecedented speed. Artificial Intelligence, automation, data analytics, regulatory complexity, digital governance, and global integration are redefining the expectations from a Chartered Accountant.
So the question before us is not “What will the future look like?”
The real question is — “What are we doing about it?”
And the answer is — NOW.
This year will not be about long monologues.
It will be about workshops, simulations, hands-on capacity building, AI in action and practical competence.
We step into this new year with the theme “NOW”. It is not just a theme—it is a mindset. It is a call for readiness, relevance, and responsibility. Empowering youth, strengthening members, and preparing the profession for Viksit Bharat of 2047 and beyond.
For 75 years, we built a strong foundation. This year is about transition. From discussion to execution. From awareness to application. From preparation to performance. The future of the profession is not tomorrow. It is being shaped — NOW.
In this context, a timeless wisdom guides us:
“न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते”
(There is nothing as pure as knowledge — Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 38)
This profound thought reflects the very foundation of our profession. As Chartered Accountants, knowledge is not merely an asset—it is our identity, our strength, and our responsibility. In an era of constant change, it is continuous learning, upskilling, and the right application of knowledge that will keep us relevant and respected.
In this journey, our focus will be on capacity building through practical exposure and simulation-based learning. The profession today demands not only knowledge but the ability to apply that knowledge in real-time scenarios. Through initiatives such as Audit Labs, Boot Camps, Mock Tribunals, and Practice ki Pathshala we aim to create an ecosystem where members don’t just learn—they experience, engage, and excel.
I take this moment to express my sincere gratitude to CA Charanjot Singh Nanda, Immediate Past President of ICAI for his dedicated efforts and valuable contributions towards strengthening the profession and our fraternity.
I am confident that the profession is poised for significant progress in the year 2026–27 under the leadership of CA Prasanna Kumar D, President of ICAI, and CA Mangesh Pandurang Kinare, Vice President of ICAI. On behalf of EIRC, I extend my best wishes to them and assure our full commitment in achieving their vision for the Institute.
I also extend my congratulations to my Regional Council colleagues — CA Hari Ram Agarwal, CA Aditya Kumar Maheshwari, and CA Bisworanjan Sutar — on their being elected as Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer of EIRC for the year 2026–27. I also convey my appreciation to CA Vishnu K. Tulsyan, Immediate Past Chairman of EIRC, for his successful tenure. CA Hari Ram Agarwal has also been nominated as the Chairman of the Eastern India Chartered Accountants Students’ Association (EICASA) of EIRC of ICAI. I am confident that, with the active support and guidance of this team, we will elevate EIRC and EICASA to new heights.
EIRC Awards 2025
The EIRC Awards 2025 ceremony was held on 19th February 2026, where we recognised the exceptional achievements of our students in the CA Examinations held in 2025 by awarding medals for their meritorious performance. In addition, Branch Awards and Students’ Association Awards were presented, and the contributions of various Study Circles, Chapters, Groups, and MIIs were duly acknowledged. We also recognised members who contributed to various initiatives of EIRC of ICAI throughout the year.
Award for Best Branch of EIRC of ICAI for the Year 2025 | |
Medium & Small | Guwahati |
Micro | Sambalpur |
Micro (Highly Commandable) | Dibrugarh |
Award for Best Branch of Students Association (EICASA) EIRC of ICAI for the Year 2025 | |
Large | Guwahati |
Small | Siliguri |
Small (Highly Commandable) | Durgapur |
Micro | Sambalpur |
Micro (Highly Commandable) | Tinsukia |
I extend my appreciation to the Managing Committee Members of every Branch for their dedicated efforts in serving members and students.
Key Programmes
The CA Rahul Roy Memorial Lecture was held on 21st February 2026 at Zone by The Park, graced by eminent speakers CA (Dr.) Debashis Mitra, Past President, ICAI, CA Manoj Fadnis, Past President, ICAI, CA P. R. Ramesh and CA Abhijit Bandyopadhyay. The session offered deep insights into the evolving professional landscape, inspiring members with thought leadership and practical perspectives on contemporary challenges.
The Holi Get-Together with dhap & dhamal was organised on 4th March 2026 at Myrah Banquets, bringing together present and past leaders of EIRC of ICAI, along with leaders of various Study Circles. The event was musical and entertaining, fostering camaraderie, strengthening professional bonds, and providing a platform for informal interaction within the fraternity.
The 2 Days National Conference on Direct Taxes, held on 5th & 6th March 2026 at Mahajati Sadan Auditorium, witnessed the esteemed presence of CA Vinod Gupta, CA Sanjay Bhattacharya, CA Vivek Jalan, CA Aditya Kumar Maheshwari, Secretary, EIRC, CA Manish Dafaria, and CA Asim Prakash. The conference deliberated on key developments, emerging issues, and practical aspects of direct taxation, adding significant value to participants.
A Celebration of International Women’s Day was done on 7th March 2026 at ICAI COE, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, with the esteemed presence of Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, the first female Rafale pilot of the Indian Air Force, and other eminent speakers. The programme also featured insightful sessions and activities for women professionals and concluded with an engaging Zumba session, promoting both professional and personal well-being.
A Two Day Conclave - Nuts and Bolts of Real Estate was held on 13th and 14th March 2026 at EIRC Auditorium, Russel Street, Kolkata. Statutes applicable to Real Estate Business along with Project Planning & Finance, Land Acquisitions and Vastu were discusses by CA Jittendra Mittal, CA Sarfraj Alam, CA Binod Agarwal, CA Vinay Tyagraj, CA Arun Agarwal, CA S S Gupta, CA Vivek Newatia, Mr. Vijay Jain and Adv. Boudhyan Bhattacharjee.
The “Norms of Working Papers – Audit Boot Camp”, a 4-day intensive programme held from 17th to 20th March 2026 at ICAI COE, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, provided hands-on practical exposure in audit. The sessions, various experienced experts, focused on strengthening practical audit skills and enhancing professional competence.
The Felicitation Programme of the Torch Bearers of ICAI, honouring the President and Vice President of ICAI, was held on 20th March 2026 at Hotel The Park, Kolkata, in the esteemed presence of present and past leaders of EIRC. The event served as a platform to acknowledge leadership and reinforce collective commitment towards the Institute’s vision.
The MCMM 2026 (Managing Committee Members Meet) was conducted on 21st & 22nd March 2026 at Taj Ganga Kutir. The meet was thoughtfully designed to foster meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and collectively strengthen the functioning, coordination, and vision of various branches of EIRC.
The Seminar on Bank Branch Audit was held on 28th March 2026 at EIRC Auditorium, Russel Street, Kolkata. The speakers were CA Lokesh Gupta, CA Nilesh Joshi, CA Biman Dutta and CA Vivek Agarwal. The various sessions were focussed on the various nuances of conducting Bank Branch Audit including the advent of AI in CBS environment.
We had the privilege of organising a Leaders Meet on 28th April 2026, bringing together the stalwarts who have shaped the journey of EIRC over the years. The interaction provided a valuable platform to seek their guidance, insights, and suggestions on the future course of action for the Regional Council. Their vast experience, institutional wisdom, and deep-rooted commitment to the profession continue to inspire and guide us.
We also conducted seminars on new professional opportunities viz. Labour Codes & Trade Mark, new technology upgradation and new regulatory changes viz. NBFC Changes & Transitional Provisions of Income Tax Act, 2025.
Key Initiatives
We have introduced “Fix It Friday”, a Virtual Grievance Redressal Platform, enabling members to directly interact with Regional Council Members and address their concerns. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, responsiveness, and member engagement. The programme will be held every fortnight (on alternate Fridays), unless informed otherwise, providing a convenient platform for members to share their concerns.
Members can fill this Google Form if you have any issue or grievances: https://forms.gle/srWrHAAtJNhhxyE48
Further, “Wisdom Wednesday: Back to Basics”, a Virtual Seminar Series, is being organised on Wednesday at 4 PM to guide members revisit fundamental concepts and stay aligned with evolving professional practices, thereby reinforcing strong technical foundations. This initiative has been specially designed keeping in mind members who are re-entering the profession after a break, as well as newly qualified members. Recognising that a strong grasp of basics is essential for long-term professional confidence and competence, these sessions aim to simplify core concepts across various domains and provide a comfortable learning platform to rebuild, refresh, and strengthen their foundational knowledge.
Participation Link: https://icai-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ymt57w6ATsu3w6XqCYwmjA
Meeting ID: 872 5414 2773
We participated in GST SAMVAD 4.0 organised by the Directorate General of GST (DGGST), Eastern Zonal Unit, Kolkata, as part of its ongoing commitment towards regulatory engagement. A Google Form was circulated among members to capture practical challenges relating to GST return filing, portal issues, and compliance bottlenecks. The responses were collated and effectively represented at the forum. I, along with Vice Chairman CA. Hari Ram Agarwal and Secretary CA. Aditya Kumar Maheshwari, presented the concerns of the fraternity in a structured and solution-oriented manner. This initiative reflects our continuous efforts to strengthen stakeholder dialogue and contribute towards a more efficient and responsive GST ecosystem. We also plan to conduct similar Samvad with other regulators
We are committed to introducing various AI-driven tools for the benefit of our members. In this direction, on 20th February, we launched our first tool “PDF Management Utility”. This tool enables members to seamlessly perform functions such as merging, splitting, compressing, flattening PDFs, and converting PDF files into Word and PowerPoint formats. This initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on open online platforms for handling sensitive documents, thereby helping members safeguard confidential data and avoid potential violations under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. It is a step towards promoting secure, efficient, and technology-enabled professional practices.
We are pleased to launch the Annual Membership Scheme (AMS) 2026–27, a member-centric initiative offering a convenient and cost-effective way to access multiple CPE programmes through a one-time registration. The scheme aims to ensure hassle-free CPE compliance while enhancing learning, networking, and overall professional development for our members.
AMS Registration Link: https://eirc-icai.org/ams-registration
Forthcoming Events (Details given in separate page)
We have scheduled a series of seminars in the month of April to keep members abreast of key developments and emerging opportunities across the profession. The sessions will cover critical areas including Valuations, Career Opportunities in the Insolvency Ecosystem, the Companies (Amendment) Bill, GSTAT Case Filings, and the Income Tax Act, 2025.
In addition to the above, a series of focused workshops will be conducted to strengthen practical understanding and application. These will include workshop on common errors in Accounting Standards, Standards on Auditing, and Financial Statements, along with a dedicated workshop on Artificial Intelligence to equip members with cutting-edge tools and techniques. Further, an intensive Capital Market workshop is being planned to deliver advanced, hands-on knowledge, including conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and practical exposure to building and deploying financial tools and applications.
The Virtual Seminar Series – Wisdom Wednesday: Back to Basics will continue to help members revisit fundamental concepts and strengthen their core understanding.
A comprehensive 3-Day Refresher Course on Accounting Standards is being organised, covering applicable Accounting Standards in a structured and practical manner. The programme will feature eminent dignitaries and domain experts, focusing on conceptual clarity, recent developments, and real-life application to strengthen members’ technical proficiency and confidence in financial reporting.
The 3-Day Residential Refresher Course on GST at the Centre of Excellence, ICAI Jaipur, is designed as an immersive and highly interactive learning experience. With a strong emphasis on group discussions and case study based learning, the programme will encourage active participation, practical problem-solving, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, enabling members to gain deeper insights and return with enhanced clarity and professional confidence.
Concluding Remarks
I remain deeply committed to serving the needs of our esteemed members and students, and I am mindful of the evolving challenges faced by the profession. I assure you of my sincere efforts in addressing these challenges and creating meaningful opportunities for growth.
As we move forward, I invite each one of you to actively participate, engage, and contribute to this collective journey. The strength of EIRC lies in its members, and it is through your ideas, involvement, and commitment that we can build a more vibrant and progressive professional ecosystem. Together, let us transform challenges into opportunities and aspirations into achievements.
This year is not about incremental change—it is about meaningful action. It is about stepping out of comfort zones, embracing technology, strengthening our fundamentals, and delivering excellence in every sphere of our professional work. Each initiative we undertake is a step towards making our fraternity more relevant and future ready.
Let us not wait for change, let us lead it. Because the future of the profession is being shaped today, and the time to act, to evolve, and to excel is not tomorrow—it is NOW.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
CA Mayur Agrawal,
Chairman
EIRC of ICAI