Connect with us

Buzz

A decade on, CSR spend zooms but priority districts get little: Crisil

Reliance on NGOs declining as corporates prefer direct implementationMUMBAI, India, March 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Spending on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India has grown significantly since it became a legal mandate with the introduction of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Our analysis shows that, over the decade through fiscal 2024, qualifying listed companies collectively spent more than Rs 1.22 lakh crore on various CSR activities. Close to 63% (Rs 77,000 crore) of that was spent over fiscals 2020-2024, reflecting a clear surge in CSR intent and planning by India Inc in recent years.Geographic distribution of the spend, however, remains uneven, with targeted investment in aspirational districts – which face the most developmental challenges – limited relative to overall spend.In fiscal 2024, for instance, of the total 2,020 qualifying companies, only 397 implemented projects in aspirational districts[1] — hardly 20% of the universe. The cumulative CSR spend of these 397 companies towards projects impacting aspirational districts was Rs 2,390 crore, i.e. 12% of the total CSR spend of Rs 19,208 crore, indicating the need for a more concerted effort.The findings of the analysis, published in the 10th edition of Crisil’s (BSE: 500092) (NSE: CRISIL) CSR Yearbook released today, titled ‘Decade Decode’, highlight an opportunity for deeper alignment with national development priorities.Says Amish Mehta, Managing Director and CEO, Crisil Limited, “Over the past decade, CSR in India has matured significantly. We are seeing companies build stronger internal capabilities and assume greater ownership of programme implementation. This reflects improved governance, accountability and impact measurement. As India advances toward Viksit Bharat, with inclusive growth, a sharper alignment between corporate capital and regions with the greatest developmental deficits can meaningfully amplify long-term socio-economic outcomes. CSR 2.0 hinges on the ability of all stakeholders to adapt, innovate and build capacities to deliver high impact.”Meanwhile, in a notable shift, companies are progressively taking control of programme delivery, indicating stronger in-house execution capabilities, tighter programme oversight, reducing dependence on implementation partners.Over the five years through fiscal 2024, the number of companies that utilised implementing agencies dropped to 566 from 1,082 in 2020, representing a decline to 28% from 78% of the total number of companies.Our interactions with various stakeholders indicate that finding quality on-ground non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to partner with, especially in rural areas, is a challenge. Barring a few notable ones, implementing agencies lack adequate capacity to design, execute and measure high-impact projects, despite the right intent and focus.This is a clarion call for NGOs. To be able to leverage and unlock CSR effectively, they need to put in place strong systems for governance and compliance, robust financial management systems, and build muscle for technology and automation to ensure the funds can be utilised effectively.India Inc, too, needs to invest in building the capacity of NGOs as well as their internal CSR-managing teams to deliver impactful and measurable CSR initiatives.Says Maya Vengurlekar, Chief Operating Officer, Crisil Foundation, “The data points to a clear institutionalisation of CSR over the past decade. Companies are moving from cheque-writing models to structured programme management, with stronger monitoring, outcome tracking and board-level oversight. As governance standards strengthen, the next frontier for CSR will be strategic capital allocation. Greater data-led targeting—especially toward districts with concentrated development deficits—can significantly improve the depth and durability of impact. There is an opportunity to not just spend more but also spend more wisely.”Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the ease of doing business and reduce the compliance burden on corporates, the government has introduced the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha. The proposed measures include changes to the CSR rules, including raising the net profit criteria threshold to Rs 10 crore from Rs 5 crore currently and increasing the number of days for transferring unspent CSR funds to a separate account to 90 days from 30 days now—changes that can optimise the CSR base. This is an evolving space and will bear watching.Overall, we believe CSR has a promising future and will remain a vital lever in the transition to Viksit Bharat and meeting the country’s Sustainable Development Goals and net-zero targets. For further information,About CrisilCrisil is a global, insights-driven analytics company. Our extraordinary domain expertise and analytical rigour help clients make mission-critical decisions with confidence.Large and highly respected firms partner with us for the most reliable opinions on risk in India, and for uncovering powerful insights and turning risks into opportunities globally. We are integral to multiplying their opportunities and success.Headquartered in India, Crisil is majority owned by S&P Global.Founded in 1987 as India’s first credit rating agency, our expertise today extends across businesses: Crisil Ratings, Crisil Intelligence, Crisil Coalition Greenwich and Crisil Integral IQ.Crisil’s global workforce operates in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Australia and the Middle East, setting the standards by which industries are measured.For more information, visit Crisil.comConnect with us: LinkedIn | TwitterCrisil PrivacyCrisil respects your privacy. We may use your personal information, such as your name, location, contact number and email id to fulfil your request, service your account and to provide you with additional information from Crisil. For further information on Crisil’s privacy policy please visit www.Crisil.com/privacy.DisclaimerThis press release is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper/magazine/agency. The press release may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to Crisil. However, Crisil alone has the sole right of distribution of its press releases for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals, etc.Crisil has taken due care and caution in preparing this press release. Information has been obtained by Crisil from sources which it considers reliable. However, Crisil does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of information on which this press release is based and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this press release. Crisil, especially states that it has no financial liability whatsoever to the subscribers/ users/ transmitters/ distributors of this press release.[1] https://niti.gov.in/aspirational-districts-programme Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2594759/5108273/Crisil_Limited_New_Logo.jpg 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/a-decade-on-csr-spend-zooms-but-priority-districts-get-little-crisil-302726141.html

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Buzz

KITABOO Unveils Global Advisory Board Bringing Together Leaders from International Publishing, Education, and Technology

Senior figures behind some of the world’s most influential publishing, digital learning, and technology organizations join KITABOO to help shape the future of learning.MUMBAI, India, June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KITABOO and KITABOO One today announced the formation of its Global Advisory Board, assembling an extraordinary group of internationally respected leaders whose collective influence spans global publishing, digital transformation, education technology, content innovation, and enterprise growth.

The newly formed board brings together pioneers who have helped shape modern publishing and digital learning across multiple continents — from leading some of the world’s most influential publishing institutions to scaling transformative technology and education businesses globally.The founding members of the KITABOO Global Advisory Board include:Richard CharkinOne of the most influential figures in global publishing, Richard Charkin has held senior leadership positions at publishing giants including Bloomsbury, Macmillan, Oxford University Press, Reed Elsevier, and Current Science Group. A former President of both the International Publishers Association and the U.K. Publishers Association, Charkin currently serves as Chair of Thames & Hudson and advises multiple next-generation AI and publishing ventures. In 2024, he was awarded an OBE for services to publishing and literature.David TaylorA globally respected publishing and distribution strategist, David Taylor spent over four decades shaping the evolution of the international book trade. As Senior Vice President at Ingram Content Group, he led the global expansion strategy for Lightning Source, one of the world’s pioneering print-on-demand platforms, helping establish transformative publishing infrastructure across Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia, including a major footprint in India.Emma HouseEmma House is internationally recognized for driving innovation across publishing and creative industries. Known for helping publishers navigate digital disruption, emerging technologies, and audience transformation, she has been at the forefront of industry modernization initiatives and future-focused publishing strategy across global markets.Vikrant MathurVikrant Mathur brings extensive leadership experience in enterprise technology, strategic transformation, and scaling global businesses. His expertise spans technology-driven growth, operational excellence, and innovation-led organizational transformation across international markets.Sesh SeshadriSesh Seshadri is a seasoned technology and business leader with deep expertise in enterprise systems, digital learning ecosystems, and large-scale transformation initiatives. Over the course of his career, he has advised and led organizations through critical technology modernization and innovation journeys.Pranav GuptaPranav Gupta is a globally recognised publishing and education industry leader known for advancing innovation across learning ecosystems, digital publishing, copyright, and workforce transformation. As a prominent voice in the international publishing community, he has worked that spans policy advocacy, knowledge accessibility, future skills, and the modernisation of education and content ecosystems, influencing institutions, industry bodies, and learning organisations across global markets.The formation of the Global Advisory Board marks a major strategic milestone for KITABOO as the company accelerates its mission to help publishers, educators, and enterprises navigate the rapidly evolving future of learning.At a time when artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, accessibility, and personalized learning are fundamentally reshaping how knowledge is created and consumed, KITABOO is bringing together some of the most experienced minds in the industry to help define what comes next.”The future of learning will belong to organizations that can successfully combine technology, pedagogy, accessibility, and scalable content innovation,” said the leadership team at KITABOO. “This board represents decades of global experience across exactly those domains. Their insights and strategic guidance will be instrumental in shaping the next phase of KITABOO’s growth and impact.”The advisory board will help guide KITABOO’s strategic direction across:AI-powered learning experiencesDigital publishing transformationGlobal content accessibilityInteractive and immersive learningEnterprise learning ecosystemsK12 and higher education innovationScalable content distribution infrastructureOver the years, KITABOO has emerged as a trusted digital publishing and learning platform serving publishers, educational institutions, and enterprises worldwide. The company’s solutions power interactive content experiences across K12, higher education, professional publishing, and corporate learning ecosystems.With the launch of this Global Advisory Board, KITABOO is reinforcing its long-term vision to become one of the defining global platforms powering the future of digital learning and knowledge delivery.About KITABOOKITABOO is a leading cloud-based digital publishing and learning platform that enables publishers, educational institutions, and enterprises to create, distribute, secure, and analyze interactive digital content experiences at scale. Through AI-driven capabilities, accessibility-first design, analytics, and immersive learning technologies, KITABOO powers next-generation learning experiences for organizations across the globe.About KITABOO ONEKITABOO ONE is a digital content distribution and access platform developed by BookIT Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd., designed to help publishers distribute, license, and monetize eBooks and digital learning content across retail, institutional, and global partner ecosystems. Built on the KITABOO digital reading infrastructure, the platform supports secure content delivery, multi-device access, flexible licensing models, branded publisher storefronts, and institutional digital library solutions for universities, libraries, corporations, and government organizations.Media Contactcontact@kitaboo.com www.kitaboo.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/kitaboo-unveils-global-advisory-board-bringing-together-leaders-from-international-publishing-education-and-technology-302793893.html

Continue Reading

Buzz

PR Newswire Signs Affiliate Membership with PRCAI to Strengthen India’s Communications Ecosystem

– Partnership underscores commitment to ethical standards, AI-era visibility, and collaborative industry growthMUMBAI, India, June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Leading global press release distribution platform PR Newswire today announced its Affiliate Membership with Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI), India’s premium communications body.
Through this partnership, PR Newswire will participate in PRCAI’s industry forums, thought leadership platforms, and Industry discussions, while contributing to initiatives that strengthen professional standards and elevate best practices across the sector.”India’s communications industry is at a pivotal moment, shaped by digital transformation with AI-driven visibility, and evolving stakeholder expectations. Our partnership with PRCAI is a step towards achieving this and strengthening the network for faster and better results,” noted Winston D’Souza, Business Head, PR Newswire India.This collaboration was lauded by Amit Yadav, Business Head, PR Newswire India, too. “Our affiliate membership with PRCAI reflects our commitment to supporting industry dialogue, enabling knowledge exchange, and contributing to the professionalization of PR and corporate communications in India,” he said.This partnership will allow PR Newswire to: Become a practicing member of the Client–Consultancy Partnership Charter;Publish and showcase thought leadership content via PRCAI channels;Create speaker and engagement opportunities at PRCAI flagship initiatives and in industry reports;Allow exclusive/subsidized access to trainings and learning programs, masterclasses, and HR forums;Have a key presence on the PRCAI website, and connect to 180+ member network.Winston D’Souza & Amit Yadav jointly head PR Newswire India and have been instrumental in the market expansion and financial performance. Both have spent over 15 years with PR Newswire, playing a key role in strengthening and growing the brand’s presence in India.By decentralizing executive decisions and doubling leadership oversight, the co-leaders have successfully scaled core operations, unlocked innovative revenue streams, and fostered a high-performance culture. Their unified direction has not only accelerated compound annual growth but also solidified the company’s position as a resilient industry leader in the press release distribution space.About PR NewswirePR Newswire is the industry’s leading press release distribution partner with an unparalleled global reach of more than 500,000 newsrooms, websites, direct feeds, journalists, and influencers, and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. From our innovative AI-powered PR Newswire Amplify ™ platform, award-winning Content Services offerings, integrated media newsroom and microsite products, Investor Relations suite of services, paid placement and social sharing tools, PR Newswire has a comprehensive Multichannel Amplification™ catalogue of solutions to solve the modern-day challenges PR and communications teams face. For more than 70 years, PR Newswire has been the preferred destination worldwide for brands to share their most important news stories.For more information, please visit www.prnewswire.comAbout CisionCision is the global leader in consumer and media intelligence, engagement, and communication solutions. We equip PR and corporate communications, marketing, and social media professionals with the tools they need to excel in today’s data driven world. Our deep expertise, exclusive data partnerships, and award-winning products, including CisionOne , Brandwatch , Trajaan , and PR Newswire , enable over 75,000 companies and organizations, including 84% of the Fortune 500, to see and be seen, understand and be understood by the audiences that matter most to them.About PRCAIFounded in 2001, the Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) is the nation’s most credible and influential communications body. For over two and a half decades, PRCAI has worked alongside its members to advance best practices, strengthen the profession, and nurture a world-class PR and communications ecosystem in India and beyond. With 180 member firms and thousands of practitioners, PRCAI champions ethical standards, talent development, innovation, and industry collaboration to build a globally competitive and future-ready communications ecosystem that contributes meaningfully to India’s business, cultural, and nation-building agenda. For more information about PRCAI, visit www.prcai.org.For questions, contact the team at CisionPR@cision.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244701/PR_Newswire_Logo.jpg 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/pr-newswire-signs-affiliate-membership-with-prcai-to-strengthen-indias-communications-ecosystem-302792617.html

Continue Reading

Buzz

Puri, Wayanad and Goa Emerge as Trending Summer Choices for Indian Families, Agoda Reports

SINGAPORE, June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has recorded a rise in family accommodation searches for domestic summer travel compared to last year, with destinations such as Puri, Wayanad and Goa emerging as trending locations for the upcoming school holiday period. Based on accommodation search data for check-ins between May and June 2026, the findings point to growing travel interest in coastal, nature and outdoor-focused getaways compared to last year.

The trend aligns closely with the school holiday window where most schools in Indian states closing through May and June, and is one of the few periods in the year when families can travel together for an extended stretch. This is also reflected in travel planning, with families gravitating toward destinations that offer outdoor activities, relaxation and time together.Coastal and nature destinations see rising interest Odisha’s iconic coastal town, Puri, is drawing interest with a 68% rise in accommodation searches. Home to the Jagannath Temple and the broad sweep of the Bay of Bengal shoreline, Puri offers families a mix of spiritual heritage and beachside leisure that is clearly resonating with summer holiday planners.Kerala’s Wayanad has seen a 40% rise in family accommodation searches compared to last year. A world away from the summer heat of the plains, its wildlife sanctuaries, plantation retreats and cool, mist-wrapped forests offer a distinctive kind of family holiday, one built around nature rather than novelty.Goa, perennially one of India’s most sought-after destinations, has registered a 29% increase in searches. With its wide array of beaches, water parks and broad range of resort stays suited to children of all ages, it continues to draw consistent interest from families planning their summer break.Hill stations and adventure destinations trends as wellRishikesh in Uttarakhand recorded a 22% rise in accommodation searches, with families increasingly drawn to its mix of spiritual significance, riverside camps, yoga retreats and outdoor activities such as rafting along the Ganga.The hill stations of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu continue to draw interest as well. Mahabaleshwar recorded a 15% increase in family accommodation searches compared to last year, while Ooty saw a 13% rise. Both these destinations offer cool temperatures, scenic viewpoints and well-established hospitality infrastructure that have made them summer staples for generations of Indian travelers.Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda said, “Summer holidays continue to be an important travel period for Indian families, and in 2026 the planning behind these trips has grown increasingly intentional. Families are exploring a broader mix of destinations, from coastal getaways and nature-focused escapes to perennial favorites. This reflects a growing desire among travelers to consider a wider range of options for their vacations. At Agoda, our focus is on enabling exactly that kind of considered planning, bringing together the right combination of stays, flights and activities to make any vacation plan seamless.”Agoda provides access to over 6 million holiday properties across price points and property types, alongside more than 130,000 flight routes and over 300,000 activities that can be booked together in one place. Discover the latest deals on the Agoda mobile app or visit Agoda.com for more information.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/puri-wayanad-and-goa-emerge-as-trending-summer-choices-for-indian-families-agoda-reports-302793685.html

Continue Reading

Trending