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Doing Good Index 2024: India’s Social Sector Needs More Support from Government, Corporates
India’s social sector calls for more corporate funding and tax incentives for giving
MUMBAI, India, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS), GuideStar India and the Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP) collaborated to present India’s performance on the Doing Good Index 2024 report. The biennial study highlights the policies and incentives that can maximize philanthropic giving and foster a thriving and effective social sector. In 2024, India maintained its position in the ‘Doing Okay’ cluster, unchanged since 2018, revealing areas of strength as well as opportunities for India to further nurture its social sector.
“There is a profound trust deficit, and it is getting more serious,” said Dr. Ruth Shapiro, CEO and Co-Founder of CAPS, “In fact, 44% say they are trusted by society, which is down from 2022 when 55% felt that way. Additionally, only 26% say they are trusted by government, which helps us to understand the increasingly stringent regulatory environment. We need to do more to build trust.”
“Wealth in India is growing, and encouragingly, we are seeing private philanthropy – especially family philanthropy, retail giving and CSR – growing alongside it,” said Pushpa Aman Singh, Founder of GuideStar India, “Domestic philanthropy has a real potential to help tackle social problems in India, and the social sector wants to see continued support from the government through enabling regulations. The Social Stock Exchange is a good step by the government to promote domestic private philanthropy, but it needs continued nurturing.”
“The regulations governing India’s social sector have seen a number of changes in the past few years, including changes to the income tax regime, which have made sub-granting increasingly difficult for grantmaking foundations,” said Noshir Dadrawala, CEO of Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP), “For social sector organizations in India, keeping up with the changing regulatory landscape is not easy.”
India’s performance on the Doing Good Index 2024
1. The role of social sector organizations remains important
- 69% of organizations in India report that the number of beneficiaries they reach and demand for their services has increased in the past 12 months, while 76% report increased demand for their services or products.
- 76% of social sector organizations in India feel optimistic about their organization’s future, and 69% feel optimistic about the social sector as a whole.
2. The use of digital technology by the social sector in Asia is on the rise, but some organizations need more support
- Social sector organizations in India are increasingly utilizing digital technology. 81% use digital technology to carry out their work, with 99% intending to increase their use of digital technology in the next two years.
- While 89% of organizations in India have sufficient access to the Internet (above the Asian average of 84%), just 52% report having sufficient access to computers and tablets for their staff.
- Social sector organizations are insufficiently protected against digital threats. Just 23% of surveyed organizations in India have a cybersecurity plan, and only 21% have undertaken staff training to help prevent cyber-attacks.
3. Government continues to send mixed messages on social sector regulations
- India’s registration process for social sector organizations requires two clearances and takes around 125 days, comparable to the Asian average of three clearances and 123 days.
- However, laws pertaining to the social sector are not easy to understand, with 67% of organizations in India finding it difficult, higher than the Asian average of 55%.
- On a positive note, 72% of social sector organizations in India believe that social sector laws are generally enforced, above the Asian average of 63%.
4. Funding to the social sector has remained mostly unchanged
- Funding from domestic sources—individuals, foundations, and companies—remains the most important source of funding, making up 48%, by proportion, of an Indian organization’s budget, compared to the Asia average of 42%. Nevertheless, most social sector organizations in India (80%) believe domestic funding is low.
- India’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) continues to place significant pressure on social sector organizations that receive foreign funding. Obtaining the necessary approvals to receive foreign funding takes an average of two years, with increased scrutiny making it more difficult for applications to be approved.
5. Companies are engaged but there is room to do more
- In India, 55% of organizations receive corporate funding, on par with the Asian average. Corporate funding makes up 23% of an average organization’s budget, up from 16% in 2022.
- 67% of social sector organizations in India work with corporate volunteers, slightly higher than the Asia average of 63%.
- India stands out for its progressive CSR requirements. Qualifying companies must allocate 2% of pre-tax profit to CSR, resulting in a significant uptick of corporate funding for social good.
Download the Doing Good Index 2024 here and visit the interactive microsite.
The Doing Good Index 2024
The Doing Good Index studies the regulatory and societal environment in which private capital is directed toward doing good in Asia. Now in its fourth iteration, the Index identifies the policies and incentives that can drive private capital to the social sector and considers how stakeholders can build stronger, more trusting connections. It is an evidence-based resource for policymakers, philanthropists, academics and nonprofit leaders, offering in-depth insights and best practices to increase and enhance philanthropic giving. The Doing Good Index 2024 surveyed 2,183 social sector organizations and 140 experts across 17 economies: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam. This iteration of the report also includes a special thematic section on the impact of digital technology on Asia’s social sector.
About the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS)
Established in 2013, the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) is a uniquely Asian, independent, action-oriented research and advisory organization, committed to improving the quality and quantity of philanthropic giving throughout Asia. Our mission is to improve the social investment sector in Asia by researching and advising best practices, models, policies, and strategies that can contribute to positive system change. More information on CAPS research and services is available at: http://caps.org/
About GuideStar India
GuideStar India enables greater giving by enhancing trust and transparency. It is India’s most exhaustive source of NGO information with its NGO information repository http://www.guidestarindia.org, illuminating the work of India’s civil society and serving as the backbone for India’s philanthropy ecosystem. GuideStar India enhances the discovery, visibility and credibility of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) by making information on more than 12,000 NGOs accessible in the public domain. GuideStar India’s certification of NGOs is considered the gold standard for NGO due diligence in India. Its Platinum, Gold and Silver Certified NGOs cover diverse thematic areas and work across India. GuideStar India equips policy makers, regulators and changemakers with information and insights to drive social impact. Learn more: https://guidestarindia.org/
About Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy
Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP) is a Mumbai-based support organization, established in 1986 with a mandate to be a credible and comprehensive resource on charitable activity in India. CAP’s vision is to build a legally compliant, well-governed, empowered philanthropic sector in India. CAP offers complete compliance advisory to nonprofit organizations, enabling them to be compliant in every respect, in the following areas – Legal, Fundraising, Board Governance, Human Resources, Volunteer Management, Strategy, Communication & CSR Compliance. Learn more: https://capindia.in/about-us/
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Reliance Digital Introduces High-Performance iQOO 15R to its Nationwide Store Network
MUMBAI, India, March 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital announces the offline retail availability of iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand built for today’s youth and tech-forward consumers. Following strong traction in online channels, iQOO is now extending its presence into physical retail, allowing customers to experience and purchase its devices first-hand at Reliance Digital stores across India.
Known for pushing the boundaries of speed, and power, the iQOO 15R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, delivering exceptional speed, responsiveness, and sustained performance throughout the day. It packs iQOO’s biggest battery yet in an ultra-slim 7.90mm design, making it India’s slimmest smartphone with a 7600 mAh battery.
The device features a 6.5K IceCore VC Cooling Chamber for stable performance and runs on OriginOS 6.0 based on Android 16 out of the box, supported by 4 years of software updates and 6 years of security updates. It is also equipped with a Sony LYT-700V OIS camera, a 1.5K 144Hz AMOLED EyeCare display, and IP68 & IP69 dust and water resistance, making it a dependable daily partner for professionals on the go.
The brand’s offline expansion marks an important step in deepening consumer engagement by offering hands-on access to its devices, enabling customers to explore iQOO’s powerful performance, advanced display technology, and flagship-grade camera capabilities in a real-world retail environment.
The availability of iQOO at Reliance Digital brings together two brands driven by innovation and consumer experience. While iQOO continues to build its reputation as a performance-led smartphone brand, Reliance Digital strengthens its portfolio by offering customers access to cutting-edge technology brands through its extensive nationwide retail network.
Through engaging in-store experiences, knowledgeable staff, and immersive product demonstrations, Reliance Digital aims to help consumers better understand iQOO’s performance-first DNA. This move further reinforces Reliance Digital’s commitment to staying ahead of evolving consumer preferences and serving as a preferred destination for discovering new-age technology.
With this expansion, Reliance Digital continues to play a key role in shaping India’s consumer electronics landscape by bringing future-ready brands closer to customers, while enabling smartphone brands like iQOO to build stronger connections with a growing, performance-driven audience.
The all new iQOO 15R is now available at Reliance Digital stores nationwide.
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News Wire
Kotak Alts announces winner of the inaugural Katalyst Awards
Ms Himani Choudhary named Katalyst for the year – India’s Best Financial Content Creator; wins Rs. 25 Lakhs
MUMBAI, India, March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kotak Katalyst Awards, a national initiative instituted to recognise excellence and responsibility in financial content creation has announced the winner of its first Katalyst edition. Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited (“Kotak Alts”) today announced Himani Choudhary as the winner. The winner was awarded a prize of INR 25 Lakhs, positioning Katalyst among the most meaningful recognitions for financial content creators in India.
Srini Sriniwasan, Managing Director, Kotak Alts, said, “The Kotak Alts Katalyst Awards were instituted to recognize content creators who are contributing meaningfully to financial literacy in India. As investor participation deepens, audiences are seeking clarity, context, and credibility. The response from creators was overwhelming and points to the new generation of financial educators. As the inaugural winner Ms. Himani Chaudhary, exemplifies the standard of financial communication that Katalyst seeks to encourage.”
The first edition of the Kotak Alts Katalyst Awards received over six hundred entries from across 19 states and in 8 languages, reflecting the growing role of digital creators in shaping financial awareness. Conceived in response to increasing clutter and misinformation in the financial ecosystem, Katalyst is designed to recognize creators who place accuracy, transparency, and investor interest at the core of their work.
The winning content, ‘Personal Finance & Major Finance Updates’ by Himani Choudhary, was recognised for its clarity, originality, and credibility. The jury noted the content’s ability to explain complex financial concepts in a clear and measured manner, supported by strong research and a consistent focus on investor education over virality.
To ensure a robust and transparent evaluation process, the awards framework was designed and audited by EY. The top thirty entries were assessed by an academic jury.
The top 10 finalists were subsequently evaluated by a grand jury comprising Kunal Shah, Founder and CEO of CRED; Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund; and Alpesh Shah, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, and chaired by Ananth Narayan, former Whole–Time Member of SEBI with extensive capital markets and regulatory experience.
The Katalyst Awards recognise financial content creators who priorities financial literacy, substance, and long–term investor interest. Through this initiative, Kotak Alts aims to encourage responsible financial communication and support the development of informed and confident investors across India.
About Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd: Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited (‘Kotak Alts’), a part of Kotak Mahindra Group (‘Kotak’), focuses on Alternate Asset Management and Investment Advisory businesses. Kotak Alts was set up in early 2005 and has raised, managed, and advised over USD 22 billion across different asset classes, including Private Equity, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Special Situations, Private Credit, and Investment Advisory. The asset management business and investment advisory vertical are managed by independent specialist teams. For more information, visit https://www.kotakalternateasset.com/
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Paperpal for Life Sciences Establishes HIPAA Readiness, Strengthening Enterprise Adoption of AI in Regulated Medical and Scientific Writing Workflows
MUMBAI, India, March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Paperpal for Life Sciences, an enterprise-grade Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform by Cactus Communications, purpose-built for Medical Affairs and Life Sciences organizations, announced the completion of an assessment evaluating its operational and technical safeguards to support Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. This milestone reinforces Paperpal’s commitment to meeting the rigorous standards of security, data protection, and regulatory readiness required for regulated scientific workflows.
Growing AI use in medical affairs writing and publication workflows is intensifying scrutiny on data privacy, governance, and regulatory accountability. To support these evolving needs, Paperpal for Life Sciences has undertaken an assessment of its systems and processes to evaluate readiness to support HIPAA compliance, where applicable, and now proudly offers the option to execute a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for Protected Health Information (PHI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This offering gives customers the confidence that PHI or PII, if received, is handled securely and responsibly, in line with regulatory expectations and enterprise risk management practices.
Paperpal for Life Sciences provides AI writing, literature search, source-grounded summarization with citation support, and critical publication checks, powering medical affairs content creation under stringent data privacy and governance controls. The platform accelerates research-to-publication timelines by upto 25%, supporting faster dissemination of clinical evidence and earlier commercialization of new drugs and therapies.
Nishchay Shah, Group CTO and EVP, Products and AI at Cactus Communications, said, “As AI becomes foundational to regulated scientific and medical workflows, compliance and trust are no longer optional. Paperpal for Life Sciences’ HIPAA readiness measures reflect our secure-by-design approach to AI, strong data governance framework, and alignment with real-world enterprise and regulatory requirements. This milestone enables organizations to adopt AI at scale with confidence that their data, processes, and compliance obligations are protected .”
Elvira Dsouza, President, Cactus Life Sciences, added, “Medical Affairs and Life Sciences teams operate in highly regulated environments where scientific rigor, data privacy, and compliance are non-negotiable. HIPAA readiness positions Paperpal for Life Sciences as a trusted AI partner, one that enables organizations to accelerate evidence generation and scientific communication without compromising regulatory integrity .”
With this announcement, Paperpal for Life Sciences reinforces its position as a purpose-built, enterprise-ready AI platform for medical affairs content generation that supports innovation while meeting the highest standards of privacy, ethics, and regulatory compliance.
Media Contact:
Nidhi Amin
nidhi.amin@cactusglobal.com
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Reliance Digital Introduces High-Performance iQOO 15R to its Nationwide Store Network
Reliance Digital Introduces High-Performance iQOO 15R to its Nationwide Store Network
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