Rajesh Batra brings over 30+ years of progressive experience across Government of India enterprises and national autonomous
bodies — specializing in MSME ecosystem development, international trade promotion, startup incubation, industrial policy
advocacy, institutional governance and development finance. Currently serving as Head – Centre for MSME and former Chief
Administrative Officer at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Ministry of Corporate Affairs and previously as Deputy General Manager at NSIC, Ministry of MSME with earlier leadership roles at Hindustan Insecticides Limited and NEPA Limited. Recipient of the National Award for Excellence in Public Services (2020) for 'MSMEs Taking India Global'. Shortlisted by a Supreme Court of India-led Expert Panel for
Chairperson, Competition Commission of India. Certified Independent Director (MCA). Outstanding Author Award — Emerald Publishing.
He possesses a unique combination of:
• startup incubation expertise,
• governance-led evaluation capability,
• MSME finance understanding,
• institutional investment oversight, and
• strategic stakeholder management experience.
His Key Strengths:
1. Startup Ecosystem & Incubation Leadership
• Led PPP-based incubation and entrepreneurship development initiatives.
• Supported startup readiness, mentoring, ecosystem networking and enterprise
facilitation programs.
• Built partnerships with ministries, industry, academia and international agencies
for innovation ecosystem development.
2. Evaluation, Screening & Monitoring Expertise
• Extensive experience in committee-led evaluation systems including Internal Monitoring Committees, Tender Evaluation Committees and Investment Committees.• Strong background in project evaluation, institutional assessment, commercial review and governance oversight.
• Experienced in monitoring performance, compliance and implementation outcomes.
3. MSME Finance & Enterprise Development
• Deep understanding of SME finance ecosystems including working capital support, credit facilitation, credit guarantee systems and enterprise
competitiveness programs.
• Significant exposure to commercialization support, market access and
startup/MSME sustainability frameworks.
4. Governance, Risk & Compliance
• Strong institutional governance experience through leadership roles at IICA including CAO responsibilities, audit oversight and governance committee participation.
• Extensive understanding of regulatory frameworks, compliance systems and public-sector governance processes.
5. Strategic Institutional & PSU Ecosystem Understanding
• Experience in engaging with ministries, PSUs, regulators, investors, industry bodies and multilateral institutions.
