The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Financial Audit in Hyderabad, marking a transformative step toward modernizing India’s audit ecosystem. Launched on 19 November 2025, the centre aims to enhance audit capabilities, integrate global best practices, and strengthen fiscal oversight in an era of increasingly complex public finance.
Designed as a national hub for innovation, the centre will focus on research, skill development, and standardisation of advanced audit methodologies. One of its major goals is to incorporate artificial intelligence and data analytics to transition from traditional sample-based audits to comprehensive, full-dataset scrutiny. It will also promote ESG-aligned auditing, reflecting the growing global emphasis on environmental, social, and governance accountability.
The initiative signifies a strategic shift toward bridging audit and accounts functions by recognising accounts data — including vouchers, sanctions, and challans — as valuable sources of financial insight. By adopting AI-driven analytics and sustainability-oriented methods, the centre is set to elevate the quality, accuracy, and relevance of public auditing in India.
