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Key people at Confederation of Indian Industry.
The Confederation of Indian Industry is a non-government, not-for-profit trade association based in New Delhi, India, that represents businesses across sectors like manufacturing and services while advising on national economic and industrial policies. Operating through a network of 63 domestic and eight overseas offices, the organization generates approximately $117.7 million in annual revenue. The association maintains a workforce of 2,995 employees to support a direct membership base of over 8,500 multinational corporations, public enterprises, and small to medium businesses. Through affiliations with over 240 sectoral bodies, key leadership figures including Chandrajit Banerjee, Sanjiv Puri, and Rajiv Memani oversee an extended network of more than 200,000 indirect member enterprises. The organization was originally founded in 1895 as the Engineering and Iron Trades Association by five regional engineering firms before officially adopting its current name in 1992.
Key people at Confederation of Indian Industry.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is not a company—it is a non-governmental, not-for-profit business association that represents the interests of Indian industries.[1][4]
CII functions as India's premier industry-led organization working to create an environment conducive to industrial growth and development.[1] Rather than building products or generating profits, CII serves as a bridge between industry, government, and civil society through advisory and consultative processes.[8] The organization influences government economic policies, provides consulting and networking services to members, and advocates for business-friendly policies.[1] Its membership spans approximately 9,700 direct members from both private and public sectors—including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and multinational corporations—plus an indirect membership of over 365,000 enterprises from 318 national and regional sectoral industry bodies.[8]
CII traces its roots to 1895, when five engineering companies from the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry formed the Engineering and Iron Trades Association (EITA) in Kolkata.[2][3] The organization evolved significantly over 130 years: it became the Indian Engineering Association (IEA) in 1912, merged with the Engineering Association of India (EAI) in 1974 to form the Association of Indian Engineering Industry (AIEI), was renamed the Confederation of Engineering Industry (CEI) in 1986, and finally adopted its current name—Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)—on January 1, 1992, following India's economic liberalization.[2][3] This transformation from a small engineering-focused association to a broad-based business confederation reflects India's shift toward an open economy.
CII serves as a critical institutional actor in India's economic development, particularly since the 1991 liberalization reforms.[2] The organization has navigated Indian industry through globalization, establishing itself as a leader in competitiveness solutions and helping firms adapt to international competition.[5] By convening industry leaders, government officials, and thought leaders, CII functions as a consensus-building platform that shapes the policy environment for business growth. Its influence extends beyond domestic policy to international engagement, positioning Indian industries competitively in global markets.
As India's economy continues to evolve and integrate into global value chains, CII's role as a bridge between industry and government remains essential. The organization's ability to represent diverse sectors—from traditional manufacturing to emerging technology and services—positions it to influence India's transition toward a knowledge-based, competitive economy. Going forward, CII's impact will likely center on helping Indian enterprises navigate sustainability challenges, digital transformation, and global supply chain resilience while maintaining its core function as an advocate for business-friendly policies.
