It's been over a decade since the concept of corporate
social responsibility ("CSR") was
introduced under the Companies Act, 2013
("Act"). CSR has catalysed thousands of
projects across education, health, sanitation, skilling, and the
environment. While a positive initiative for a country like India
with its diverse demographic needs and its developmental needs, CSR
has not achieved its full potential as most companies still
approach it as a legal formality rather than a genuine opportunity
to create a meaningful impact. The prevailing operating model
typically focuses on short-gestation, input-heavy, and
activity-focused projects: new classrooms built, health camps
hosted, saplings planted, trainings delivered.
