CSR News and Trends in India 2025 | CSR Magazines India | Corporate Social Responsibility News

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Breaking Barriers: Inspiring Stories of Women Changemakers in CSR

March 9, 2025

While skyscrapers and stock exchanges often capture the headlines, it is the stories of resilience, compassion, and innovation that truly shape the world we live in. In India, women are breaking barriers and leading transformational change, not just within corporate boardrooms but also at the grassroots level through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Their stories echo across continents, proving that the spirit of Indian women knows no bounds. This year, we celebrate these extraordinary changemakers — leaders who have tackled societal challenges, uplifted marginalized communities, and brought sustainable development to the forefront of corporate agendas. Their journeys are not merely stories of success, but testaments to the power of purpose-driven leadership. Dr. Swati Piramal Nivruti Rai Chetna Sinha Geetha Murali Indra Nooyi Seema Arora From Boardroom to Bharat: Driving Change Where It Matters Take the story of Dr. Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson of Piramal Group, whose dedication to healthcare and education

Digital Transformation and CSR in India

February 7, 2025

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved significantly in India over the past decade. With the introduction of the Companies Act, 2013, which mandates eligible businesses to spend 2% of their profits on CSR activities, companies have increasingly looked for innovative ways to implement impactful social initiatives. Digital transformation has emerged as a key enabler in this process, allowing businesses to enhance efficiency, transparency, and reach in their CSR efforts. From artificial intelligence (AI) to blockchain, digital solutions are reshaping how CSR is planned, executed, and measured. Technology has revolutionized CSR in several ways, making social impact initiatives more effective and scalable. Some key areas where digital transformation is driving change include: Data-Driven Decision Making Big data and analytics help companies identify key social issues, measure the effectiveness of CSR projects, and make informed decisions. Companies can use real-time data to assess the impact of education programs, healthcare initiatives, or skill

INTEGRATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS INTO THE CSR AGENDA IN 2025

January 3, 2025

In 2025, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as more than a moral compass; it is now a fundamental pillar of business strategy. With the world facing escalating challenges such as climate change, inequality, and dwindling natural resources, organizations are embracing their role as agents of change. This shift reflects a confluence of societal expectations, regulatory pressures, and the rising importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks alongside the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From philanthropy-driven origins, CSR has evolved into a sophisticated approach that integrates social and environmental priorities into the very fabric of business operations. Let’s explore how forward-thinking companies are using innovation to address global challenges while creating long-term value, supported by case studies of industry leaders setting benchmarks for sustainability. CSR’s Transformation in 2025 Historically rooted in charitable donations and community welfare initiatives, CSR has grown into a strategic necessity for businesses. In 2025,

GOVT GIVES CSR A POWERFUL ROLE IN THE INDIAN ECONOMY

September 2, 2024

Skilling and Job creation get additional support India is redesigning the corporate social responsibility architecture by strengthening its foundation while reposing faith in the industry to become part of the solution for two major problems—an unskilled workforce and growing unemployment. It is a well-thought-out and dynamically designed scheme that empowers those who wish to use their CSR more meaningfully. It has broadened the scope and specified the responsibility of CSR, but has ensured that the soul of the scheme is pure and to help drive the country’s economy up and high.- M.Rajendran In its third consecutive Union Budget, the NDA Government has redefined the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for corporate, ensuring that they are partners in the job creation and training of youth in India. The Government’s decision is bound to impact the skilled workforce’s growth tremendously. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who presented the Budget in July 2024, announced

INDIA IS STILL THE ‘MOTHER OF DEMOCRACY’

June 3, 2024

The 2024 elections to the Lok Sabha was a watershed event in the Indian history. Aspirations and anguish of people were refelected in the voting, that went on for more than a month in seven phases. Amidst the elections many questions emerged and they will continue to be discussed, debated and deliberated. But, Democracy emerged victorious. One group of political party has been given the responsibility to govern the country for next five years and another group of alliance is incharge of keeping a check on them. A true example of successful democracy.- M.Rajendran The results of the 2024 election to the 18th Lok Sabha have yet again demonstrated that the people of India value democracy, unlike the report a few months ago, where people allegedly voted for an autocratic rule in India. A total of 85% of Indian respondents said that military rule or rule by an authoritarian leader

STATES IN INDIA AND CSR STORIES

June 1, 2024

CSR in each state has a unique story to tell. The efforts that the state government has taken, the support and contributions made by the stakeholders is an interesting narration. Some have done very well, some have potential, and others are learning. – M. Rajendran Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India has traditionally been a philanthropic activity; it was an activity that was performed but not deliberated. CSR in India remains within the philanthropic space, but it has moved from institutional building (educational, research, and cultural) to community development through various projects. Enactment of the Companies Act, 2013 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India was one of the world’s largest experiments in introducing CSR as a mandatory provision by imposing a statutory obligation on Companies to take up CSR projects towards social welfare activities. The Company’s CSR activities revolve around five guiding principles – Impact, Partnerships, Affirmative

Environment, Social, and Governance are big catalysts for CSR

March 9, 2024

A strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy is a force multiplier. Organizations must integrate their sustainability efforts into a core CSR and transformation agenda strategy. Like other countries globally, India is experiencing the challenge of large development, and the discourse around environment, social impact, and governance issues is increasing. Since 2013, the narrative in India has shifted to the crucial role corporations can play in bringing about positive change in human development and social inclusion. CSR is no longer seen as corporate social assistance or philanthropy but as essential to a good business strategy, helping reduce investment risks and enhancing business profits by improving transparency and accountability. It is about working together – with government, with civil society, and with the community – to improve the lives of millions of people by making growth more inclusive. With the ever-changing business environment, investors and stakeholders seek businesses to be responsible

Sustainability is the Core of Corporate Social Responsibility

March 8, 2024

As a child, all of us have been taught by our parents or grandparents at home that sustainability is based on a simple principle that everything we need for our survival and well-being depends, directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Once we grow as adults and begin to look for earning our livelihoods, we tend to dilute those basic principles, learnt as children, forgetting that sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. That is at the individual level. The same example can be applied to companies that grow for big corporate houses. By aligning CSR initiatives with global sustainability goals, businesses can contribute meaningfully to the well-being of all stakeholders and the world we inhabit. CSR acts as a guiding force, urging companies to generate value for

The Global Eye on Climate Change at COP28

January 11, 2024

Dubai, United Arab Emirates The COP 28, or the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC, held from 30 November until 12 December 2023, was recently concluded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It would be appropriate to say that in this decisive decade of climate action, the world convened at this stage set to address the pertinent issue of climate change and deliberate on effective ways of addressing it. This annual event is cited as the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change with the membership of almost every country in the world. The hot topics of discussion on the anvil are curtailing the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, deliberating measures to help vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change, and zeroing down on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. A rotational schedule between the five United Nations regional groups comprising

Laying a Strong Foundation for CSR Success with Blocks of Employee and Community Engagement

November 10, 2023

With the ever-evolving dynamic CSR landscape and the continuing deliberations on what goes into the CSR potion of success, there are 2 strong ingredients that have unarguably remained constant. Community and employee engagement have always been cited as two strong pillars of CSR, that uphold the fabric of CSR initiatives. These in turn shape a positive company culture. CSR as a business approach effectively integrates social, ethical, and environmental concerns into the strategies, operations, and values of an organization. The broad framework of CSR encompasses actions that are beneficial for society. These actions can be grouped under sustainability efforts, philanthropic initiatives, and community engagement. There is a deep underlying sense of responsibility that drives CSR. This responsibility is directed toward the company’s stakeholders which comprise communities, employees, customers, and the environment. In short, CSR cannot function bereft of its communities, employees, and a few other crucial drivers. If one were