Editorial | January 2026
Dr Rakesh Agarwal, Secretary General, Risk Management Association of India
We are pleased to launch this inaugural January 2026 edition of RMAI Newsletter in new format. This newsletter is designed as a comprehensive platform for knowledge-sharing within the risk-management community. Each edition will feature industry insights, expert articles, curated global and Indian risk-management news, practical case studies, and data-driven risk perspectives. We will also present interviews and viewpoints from senior industry leaders, including CROs and functional heads, offering firsthand insights into evolving practices and emerging developments in risk management.
We invite original articles, thought pieces, case studies, and professional perspectives from risk practitioners, academics, and industry experts. Contributions that advance understanding, share practical experience, or stimulate informed debate are most welcome and will help strengthen this collective forum for risk leadership.
As we enter 2026, the role of risk management is undergoing a decisive transformation. What was once viewed primarily as a compliance or control function is now firmly positioned at the centre of strategic decision-making. Boards, regulators, and business leaders increasingly recognise that risk is no longer an external disruption to be managed periodically-it is a constant force shaping competitiveness, resilience, and long-term value.
The past year has made this reality unmistakable. Artificial intelligence has accelerated innovation but also introduced new forms of model risk, ethical dilemmas, and systemic vulnerabilities. Financial markets have shown signs of exuberance in select segments, while private credit, leveraged structures, and opaque exposures continue to test traditional risk frameworks. At the same time, climate volatility, geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and regulatory recalibration have expanded the risk landscape far beyond conventional boundaries.
In this environment, risk management in 2026 demands more than policies and checklists. It requires anticipation, integration, and judgement. Organisations must move from siloed risk assessments to interconnected views of financial, operational, technological, and reputational risk. Early-warning indicators, scenario analysis, and stress testing must evolve to reflect speed, complexity, and interdependence. Equally important is governance—clear accountability, informed boards, and empowered risk leaders who can challenge assumptions and influence strategy.
Another defining theme for the year ahead is digital and third-party dependency risk. As institutions rely increasingly on shared technology platforms, cloud infrastructure, and external service providers, resilience can no longer be assessed at an individual-entity level alone. Concentration risk, operational continuity, and ecosystem-wide stress scenarios are now core risk-management concerns.
For professionals, this shift presents both responsibility and opportunity. Risk leaders are being called upon not just to protect organisations from downside events, but to enable informed risk-taking-supporting innovation while preserving stability. This requires continuous learning, adoption of advanced analytics, and a strong risk culture that permeates every level of the organisation.
As we begin this new year, the Risk Management Association of India remains committed to supporting the community through insights, dialogue, and knowledge-sharing. Through this newsletter, we aim to bring you timely perspectives on global and domestic risk developments, practical tools, leadership insights, and emerging best practices.
2026 will reward organisations that treat risk management not as a defensive necessity, but as a strategic compass. The journey ahead will be complex-but with the right frameworks, governance, and mindset, it is one that can be navigated with confidence.
