Corporate Social Responsibility Law in India

Abstract

Introduced in 2013, India became the first country in the world to statutorily mandate Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”), which is otherwise seen as a philanthropic activity undertaken at the discretion of companies. The CSR Law in India was indeed a promising step towards creating an enabling environment and a boost for social impact projects. The present paper aims to analyze the provisions of the CSR Law as amended till date, and the impact of the law. The paper also seeks to undertake a comparative analysis of the CSR Law in India and other jurisdictions across the globe. The paper concludes with certain recommendations as a way forward for the CSR Law.