Trends that are Driving the CSR Sector Across India Today
Climate Action & Sustainability
Most enterprises today are integrating climate change measures and supporting vulnerable
communities impacted by extreme weather conditions as part of their CSR initiatives and are
increasingly investing in renewable energy source as a long-term sustainable goal. These
sustainable practices create long-term value and help boost customer value, innovation, and
cost savings.
Skill Enhancement
Skill development across key business functions is a major focus area for corporate CSR
initiatives across India. Governments & enterprises today are increasingly investing in skill
development programs to empower individuals and communities that can in turn have a
major impact on economic growth. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)and Skill
India Mission are two of the many initiatives that focus on short-term training in industry-
relevant skills that increase employment opportunities.
Diversity and Inclusion
Major corporate companies in India are incorporating diversity and inclusion into their CSR
initiatives, focusing on disability inclusion, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, through
leadership coaching, and mentoring. This enables brands to create a positive brand image,
enhance their reputation, strengthen business relationships, and attract a diverse talent pool.
Employee Engagement
A growing number of corporations are assisting employees with CSR volunteering
opportunities that provide employees with immense satisfaction and boost their sense of
overall purpose and morale. From art therapy workshops, and skills enhancement to
environmental awareness camps and more, corporates across India are ensuring a win-win
and mutually fulfilling experience for both entities.
Healthcare Interventions
Corporate entities across India are actively engaging in community health drives that are
significantly reducing the economic burden of diseases, and fostering healthier communities.
Pioneering one such initiative is, Trinity Care Foundation,in collaboration with the Bengaluru
Science and Technology (BeST) cluster at IISc, which is setting up a Digital Podiatry Clinic
(D-PoC ) in Karnataka to ensure early diagnosis and preventive care of diabetic foot
complications (DFD) patients that has a significant impact in avoiding or delaying
complications.
All of these trends in the best interest of community growth and development are
transforming the CSR trends across India today, where more and more corporates are
actively fulfilling all the regulatory requirements while actively contributing towards an
inclusive and sustainable future.
Areas and Programs NGOs Are Working in Rajasthan
NGOs in Rajasthan are actively engaged in the following areas and programs:
[Link]
•Vidya Bhawan Society: Operates schools, higher education institutions, and
resource centres.
•Vimukti Sanstha: Provides free education, uniforms, books, and meals to girls from
Jaipur slums.
•Disha Foundation: Offers education for children with multiple disabilities.
•Vatsalya, Jaipur: Runs “Children’s Village” and offers education and skill-building.
[Link] and Nutrition
•Positive Women Network of Rajasthan: Focuses on healthcare access for women
and children with HIV/AIDS.
•Apna Ghar Ashram: Provides shelter, medical care, and support to the destitute,
mentally and physically ill, and elderly.
•Seva Mandir: Works on children’s health, training and general health care in rural
areas.
[Link] Empowerment and Child Welfare
•Seva Mandir and Rajasthan Mahila Kalyan Mandal (RMKM): Empower women
through community development and disability support.
•Positive Women Network: Supports HIV-positive women with access to rights and
social services.
[Link] Development and Livelihood
•Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti: Works in 641 villages on issues like education, rural
poverty, and water scarcity.
•Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS): Focuses on water resources, agriculture,
labour rights, and income generation.
•Gram Chetna Kendra: Covers multiple rural sectors—education, dalit welfare,
animal husbandry, disaster management.
[Link] and Special Needs
•RMKM and Disha Foundation: Focus on education, inclusion, and empowerment of
children with special needs.
[Link], Water, and Agriculture
•GRAVIS: Engages in land management, forestry, and water conservation.
•RBKS: Addresses land degradation, livestock productivity, and water scarcity in
rural areas.
Thematic Areas Getting the Most Recognition and Funding in India
1. Education and Skill Development
Why it gets funded:
● High need due to literacy gaps, especially in rural and marginalised communities.
● Long-term impact on economic growth and empowerment.
What it includes:
● School infrastructure improvement
● Teacher training programs
● Digital learning initiativesAdult education
● Vocational skills and job training
●
2. Healthcare and Nutrition
Why it gets funded:
•India still faces challenges like malnutrition, maternal mortality, and lack of access in
rural areas.
What it includes:
● Mobile health clinics
● Maternal and child health
● Preventive care (vaccination, awareness)
● Nutrition programs (especially for children and women)
● Mental health awareness
3. Women Empowerment and Gender Equality
Why it gets funded:
● Gender-based inequality and violence remain major issues in India.
● Women’s economic participation is crucial for inclusive development.
What it includes:
● Formation and support of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
● Menstrual hygiene awareness
● Financial literacy for women
● Legal rights awareness
● Anti-domestic violence campaigns
4. Environment and Climate Action
Why it gets funded:
● India’s vulnerability to climate change is high.
● Corporates need to meet sustainability goals (ESG, net-zero).
What it includes:
● Tree plantation
● River and water body rejuvenation
● Clean energy adoption
● Waste management
● Awareness campaigns
5. Livelihoods and Rural Development
Why it gets funded:
● Need to boost rural incomes and reduce migration to cities.
● Aligns with SDG goals like “No Poverty” and “Decent Work”.
●
What it includes:
● Micro-entrepreneurship support
● Organic farming promotion
● Rural crafts and markets
● Water conservation and irrigation support
What NGOs and Non-Profits Can and Cannot Fund / Receive
A. What NGOs Can Receive Funding For (Allowed Projects)
From CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility):
•As per Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013:
● Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty
● Promoting education and livelihood enhancement
● Promoting gender equality
● Reducing child mortality and improving maternal health
● Ensuring environmental sustainability
● Protection of heritage and art
● Rural development
● Support for technology incubators
From Foreign Sources (if FCRA Registered):
Any developmental activity not violating Indian sovereignty, public interest, or morality
Disaster relief and humanitarian work
Religious institutions (only for social purposes, not preaching)
Environmental research and clean energy promotion
B. What NGOs Cannot Receive Funding For (Restricted Activities)
CSR Restrictions:
● Funding only for employees or their families (not considered CSR)
● Activities done for business benefit (marketing disguised as CSR)
● Political donations or election-related campaigns
● Religious instruction or worship promotion
FCRA Restrictions (Foreign Contributions Regulation Act):
● NGOs without FCRA registration cannot receive foreign funding.
● Cannot use foreign funds for:
● Political activities or campaigning
● News media operations
● Activities threatening national security or communal harmony
● Annual reporting and audit is mandatory for FCRA-approved NGOs
Innovative solutions developed by NGOs and social enterprises in India that address
pressing real-world challenges
Health & Assistive Technology
1. Sohum Innovation Labs – Low-Cost Infant Hearing Screening
•Problem: High rates of undiagnosed hearing impairment in newborns due to
expensive screening equipment.
•Solution: Developed an affordable device using brainstem auditory evoked response
to screen infants early.
•Impact: Enables early diagnosis, crucial for timely intervention and speech
development in children.
2. Supervasi – Affordable Mechanical Ventilators
•Problem: India faces a shortage of mechanical ventilators, especially in rural areas.
•Solution: Created the “Super Ventilator,” a low-cost, non-invasive ventilator priced at
₹25,000.
•Impact: Provides critical respiratory support in resource-limited settings.
Education & Digital Access
3. Sampark Foundation – Tech-Enabled Rural Education
•Problem: Limited access to quality education in rural areas.
•Solution: Introduced “Sampark Didi,” an audio-based learning device, and “Baithak,”
a mobile app with offline educational content.
•Impact: Enhanced learning for over 200,000 teachers and countless students across
multiple states.
Environment & Sustainability
4. People’s Planet – Community-Driven Urban Greening
•Problem: Degradation of urban green spaces.
•Solution: Launched “Reclaim Bengaluru,” involving communities in restoring urban
greenery using technology for tracking and maintenance.
•Impact: Revitalized urban areas, fostering community engagement and
environmental stewardship.
Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment
5. Barefoot College – Training Women as Solar Engineers
•Problem: Lack of electricity and employment opportunities in rural areas.
•Solution: Empowered rural women, especially grandmothers, by training them to
install and maintain solar panels.
•Impact: Over 1,000 women trained, bringing sustainable energy to remote
communities.
Menstrual Health & Hygiene
6. Eco Femme – Sustainable Menstrual Products
•Problem: Environmental and health issues due to disposable sanitary pads.
•Solution: Produces organic, washable cloth pads and conducts menstrual health
education.
•Impact: Distributed over 1 million pads, preventing approximately 75 million
disposable pads from reaching landfills.
Urban Sanitation & Public Spaces
7. The Ugly Indian – Community-Led Urban Cleanliness
•Problem: Urban decay and neglect of public spaces.
•Solution: Initiated anonymous, volunteer-driven clean-up drives, transforming
neglected areas.
•Impact: Reclaimed over 30 flyovers and numerous public spaces, promoting civic
responsibility. 
Agriculture & Farmer Support
8. Digital Green – Farmer-to-Farmer Video Sharing
•Problem: Limited access to agricultural knowledge among smallholder farmers.
•Solution: Facilitates the creation and dissemination of short videos by farmers,
sharing best practices.
•Impact: Engaged over 150,000 farmers across multiple countries, enhancing
agricultural productivity.
Food Security & Waste Reduction
9. Seva Kitchen – Real-Time Food Sharing App
•Problem: Food wastage alongside prevalent hunger.
•Solution: Developed an app connecting donors of surplus food with those in need.
•Impact: Facilitated the redistribution of excess food, reducing waste and feeding the
hungry.
Inclusive Employment
10. Mitti Café – Empowering Individuals with Disabilities
•Problem: Limited employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
•Solution: Provides skills training and employment in cafés operated by individuals
with disabilities.
•Impact: Operates 35 cafés, serving over 10 million meals and promoting inclusivity.