Best ESG Certification Courses in India

01Why an ESG Certification Makes Sense in 2026

Five years ago, ESG was a task that a few large companies performed as part of their annual reports. That situation has changed quickly.

• BRSR is required for the 1,000 listed companies in India and SEBI's BRSR Core indicators now need external verification in stages.
• Supply chains are being drawn in. Large companies are asking their suppliers, small and medium enterprises for ESG information.
• Exporters face rules. Companies that sell to Europe increasingly need to provide emissions and labour data to their buyers.
• The supply of people is small. Many people know ESG in theory. Few can produce a report that withstands scrutiny from a verification provider.

That last point is the real opportunity. Employers aren't short of people who can define ESG. They're short of people who can do it. A good certification closes that gap and gives hiring managers something concrete to look at on your CV. We wrote more about this shift in why MBA students are choosing ESG careers.

02The Characteristics of "The Best" ESG Course?

In any comparison, it helps to be clear about what you are comparing first. As we understand, four aspects count above all others:

It is extremely uncommon for a course to excel in all four. Most of them have strengths in one or two areas. Thus, it is important to know your priorities.

03Types of ESG Courses Available in India

Almost every ESG course you'll find falls into one of four buckets:

None of them is “wrong”. A free MOOC sounds like a logical choice. However, if you plan to work within the ESG sphere, then you will most likely require something more substantial than just watching videos.

04Leading ESG Certifications Compared

Here are the certifications that Indian professionals tend to consider the most, along with who each certification suits. Since things like the fee structure and batch schedule keep changing, it’s always best to refer directly to the certification’s website before applying.

Ideal for ESG Reporting

1. Professional Certificate Program in ESG & Sustainability Reporting: eAsia Academy in association with IIT Roorkee

This certification program by eAsia Academy is conducted in collaboration with IIT Roorkee’s Continuing Education Centre and encompasses GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB, ESRS, UN SDGs, and SEBI BRSR, focusing particularly on GRI reporting. This program is more practical in nature and deals with how to collect, map and report data.

Suits: working professionals, CAs, MBAs, engineers and graduates who want to prepare or review ESG reports. Format: 4 months, live weekend classes. Fee: ₹85,000 + GST. See the full ESG program details.

2. ICAI Certification Programme on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting

ICAI's Sustainability Reporting Standards Board offers this programme, which is directed at chartered accountants and revolves around the topic of BRSR. It would be good for you if you're an ICAI member and only require the BRSR information.

Suits: ICAI members. Note: it's limited to the members and revolves around BRSR only.

3. CFA Institute Sustainable Investing Certificate

Formerly called the Certificate in ESG Investing, this is a globally known, exam-based credential. It's built around how ESG factors feed into investment analysis and portfolio decisions.

Suits: equity analysts, fund managers and anyone in asset management. Keep in mind: it's investment-focused and self-study, so it isn't designed to teach you how to prepare a BRSR or GRI report.

4. GRI Academy Courses

GRI itself provides training for the use of the GRI Standards, which are the most commonly used sustainability reporting standards in the world.

Suits: people who specifically want deep GRI knowledge. Keep in mind: it covers GRI rather than India's BRSR requirements, so Indian reporting professionals usually pair it with BRSR training.

5. Free and Low-Cost Online Courses

Platforms like NPTEL, Coursera and others host introductory ESG and sustainability courses, often recorded and self-paced.

Suits: students and beginners who want a feel for the subject. Keep in mind: they rarely include live mentoring, India-specific reporting practice or a certificate that carries weight with employers.

If carbon and emissions work interests you as much as reporting, also look at the Carbon Credits, Carbon Markets & Net-Zero Pathways program, or read our guide to the best carbon credit course in India.

05Which ESG Course Should You Do?

Not sure? Begin with your current self and future goals.

Want to be able to write ESG / BRSR reports → IIT-based ESG reporting certification

Work in investment / fund management → Sustainable investing certification

I'm a CA and need basic knowledge about BRSR → Professional body BRSR course

Just looking around → Try free online course and upgrade later

Most people who want an actual ESG job, whether in a company's sustainability team, a consultancy or an audit firm, land in the first row. That's the gap the ESG & Sustainability Reporting certification was designed for.

06In the eAsia Academy × IIT Roorkee ESG Program

Because this is our very own program, here is precisely what you will be getting so that you can compare and contrast it to everything else out there.

What you will learn

• ESG basics: The three pillars, materiality, and the reason behind importance of ESG information to investors and regulators.
• ESG reporting in India: SEBI BRSR & BRSR Core, chapter wise, with assurance provider requirements.
• Globally applicable frameworks: GRI in detail, along with ISSB (IFRS S1 and S2), TCFD, SASB, ESRS, and the UN SDGs.
• Mapping of frameworks: Mapping of the various reporting frameworks using the same company data set.
• Report creation: Building an effective sustainability report from scratch using company data.

Program at a glance

Many learners pair it with our carbon credits and net-zero course, because emissions accounting sits right at the heart of the environmental pillar. HR professionals often find the social pillar links naturally with our HR Management & Analytics Using AI program.

07Seven Questions to Ask Before You Enroll

Regardless of which program you prefer, here’s what you need to know before you sign up:

1. Is BRSR adequately covered? It is non-optional if you plan on working in India.
2. Is it not limited to just one framework? In real-world projects, there are GRI, ISSB and client-specific frameworks as well.
3. Do I get to make anything? Make sure you ask for case studies and assignments, at least a capstone project.
4. By whom is the certificate issued? Getting your certificate from an institution known by recruiters will help.
5. Is it offered through live classes? Getting to ask questions in person is important when dealing with technical frameworks.
6. Will I be able to handle it with my job? Don’t look at duration only – check the schedule.
7. Is it relevant? ESG regulations change rapidly. Find out when the curriculum was updated last time.

Our counsellors are happy to walk you through any of these for our programs. You can reach out through the eAsia Academy website.

08Positions That You Can Pursue with ESG Course

Having an ESG certificate can create opportunities for you in various sectors including companies, consulting firms, audit firms, and financial institutions. Examples of jobs include:

• ESG Analyst – Collecting, cleaning, and analyzing ESG data.
• Sustainability Reporting Specialist – Compiling BRSR, GRI, and ISSB reports.
• ESG Consultant – Assisting clients in materiality, strategy, and reporting frameworks.
• ESG Assurance Associate – Auditing and verifying disclosures.
• Climate and Carbon Analyst – Measuring emissions and planning reduction pathways. Our guide on how carbon credits work is a good primer.
• Sustainable Finance Analyst – Using ESG data in lending and investment decisions.

No sustainability degree is necessary to reach this point. Individuals enter such positions from the fields of commerce, finance, engineering, law, human resources, and management annually. It all comes down to demonstrating concrete competencies backed by frameworks.