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CSR Health Partnerships Smile

Closing the Access Gap in Rural Healthcare in India through CSR

A few months ago, a story surfaced across social media — of Kamla Devi in Himachal Pradesh — crossing rivers on foot to vaccinate an infant. It stood as a powerful testament to the commitment of India’s frontline health workers. But if you look closely, beneath this inspiring image lies a more complex truth: in many parts of rural healthcare in India, access to even basic services continues to depend on extraordinary human effort rather than dependable systems.

This duality defines India’s healthcare journey. 

On one hand, the country has made measurable progress. Through initiatives such as the National Health Mission (NHM), India has expanded its healthcare workforce by over 12 lakh between FY 2021–24 and administered more than 220 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Improvements in maternal and child health indicators, alongside programmes like Ayushman Bharat and the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, signal a system steadily advancing towards wider coverage.

However, the immediate challenge still remains: ensuring these services effectively reach the most remote communities, while simultaneously strengthening state healthcare systems to sustain delivery and meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Thus, within this context, it becomes pertinent to first examine what “accessible healthcare” truly means in India, particularly within the realities of rural healthcare in India. 

The recent Health Parliament discussions brought forth a nuanced understanding of the multi-layered challenges spanning geography, infrastructure, workforce and trust that continue to shape access at the last mile.

Exploring the dimensions of accessibility in depth, this blog will also examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved into a strategic enabler for taking quality healthcare to the last mile across India. Through sustained corporate partnerships with NGOs such as Smile Foundation, with over two decades of experience and more than 400 collaborations, growing efforts have been made to bridge the gap between policy intent and lived access.

Programmes like Smile on Wheels, Smile on Boat, Pink Smile, Swabhiman and physiotherapy initiatives for the trucker community exemplify how targeted, community-based interventions can translate systemic goals into tangible healthcare outcomes on the ground.

Accessible Healthcare: What does it mean in Rural India? 

In policy discussions and boardroom conversations, the phrase “last-mile healthcare delivery” is frequently used to highlight the measure of India’s healthcare system’s success. However, this term demands special attention, when last mile healthcare delivery has to be done in the corners of rural India. 

Should accessibility to healthcare be only limited to geographical limitations of the country? Should accessibility of healthcare services only mean the distance between a patient and the nearest health facility? Or does it extend to a more complex interplay of time, cost, awareness and the social confidence required to seek medical assistance. 

These questions were brought into sharp focus during a recent Health Parliament dialogue organised by leading public health stakeholders, under the guidance of Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Founder of Health Parliament and senior sector experts, including Prof. (Dr.) Narendra Kumar Arora, Executive Director of INCLEN; Dr. Barnwal, Chief Executive Officer of National Health Authority of India; Professor K. Reddy, eminent public health expert; Mr. Mathew Cherian from CARE; Mr. Harish Iyer from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and Dr. Girish N. Rao, noted public health specialist.

Redefining Geographical Accessibility through CSR-Led Healthcare Delivery

At its most visible level, accessibility is about geography. India’s vast and diverse terrains – its mountains, forests and riverine belts create natural barriers that healthcare systems have to navigate through. As highlighted by Mr. Mathew Cherian, “the limited availability of quality healthcare within accessible distances” continues to define rural India”. 

But what does “accessible distance” mean and how does it play a crucial role in India’s healthcare system? 

Accessible distance cannot be only measured in kilometers between a village and a health facility. It is defined by the time taken, the terrain navigated, the cost incurred and the physical ability of the patience to make that journey. Mr. Cherian also highlighted that even today for many and especially the elderly of the vulnerable communities, a few kilometers journey to the nearest healthcare facility can be a significant disruption in their survival lifestyle. 

Addressing these challenges, Dr. Rashmi Ardey, Director Programmes Health of Smile Foundation highlights that “collaborative efforts must be invested in ensuring that accessibility is patient-centric”. She emphasised that quality healthcare in rural India must be designed as a continuum of care across the life-cycle – from antenatal and early childhood to adolescent, reproductive and elderly health. 

Accessibility to healthcare must go beyond proximity, but about consistent, comprehensive and human centered services. In today’s time, Mobile Medical Units are playing a pivotal role in delivering curated care, screenings (eye, non-communicable diseases and cancer), anemia management, follow up care and referral support directly to the underserved communities. 

“Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) challenge the idea that patients must travel to healthcare — healthcare must travel to them”.  – Dr. Rashmi Ardey

Infrastructure Accessibility: India Needs Performance Driven Healthcare

India’s investments in healthcare infrastructure have been substantial, yet their effectiveness remains uneven. The persistence of understaffed and under-equipped facilities has given rise to what may be termed “passive infrastructure” systems that exist without delivering consistent value.

In light of the discussions at the Health Parliament, Ms. Sarita Pradhan, Head of Swabhiman, our intervention for women’s health and livelihood drew attention to a persistent and challenging gap in India’s rural healthcare system – the disconnect between infrastructure creation and actuarial service delivery.

“Health discussions are not effective if they do not yield results”. – Ms. Sarita Pradhan

Advocating for a strong public health leadership, structured monitoring and evaluation system, along with the use of real time data to guide decision making, Ms.Pradhan emphasises on collaborative efforts for making rural healthcare systems functional, accountable and continuously monitored to ensure real impact.

She also states that targeted interventions for adolescent girls, early childhood care and women’s reproductive health through data driven governance and collaborative efforts ensures females who are the minority groups within vulnerable communities access continuity of care at the community level. 

By working within the community, she states that Swabhiman compliments the public system by combining awareness, on-ground engagement and service delivery- transforming passive infrastructure into active, accessible healthcare for marginalised women and their communities. 

Human Resource Accessibility: Strengthening the Frontline

Healthcare delivery ultimately rests on human capacity. Accessibility, therefore, is not determined solely by infrastructure, but by the competence and responsiveness of those delivering care.

Today facilities may exist, but the shortage of trained healthcare professionals in remote areas continues to limit service delivery. Furthermore, this issue is not only numerical, but also one of retention in remote settings. 

As Dr. Rashmi Ardey highlights, “strengthening frontline workers particularly in digital competencies is critical in an evolving healthcare ecosystem”.  She also states that face to face interactions with medical professionals satisfies a crucial element that helps in building trust – the “touch and feel” care; especially important for the elderly populations, who are still not well versed with digital tools. 

Furthermore, Mr. Harish Iyer’s observations at the Health Parliament further deepened the conversation around human resource readiness in a digitised healthcare ecosystem. He underscored that the integration of digital health tools can only be effective when frontline workers are adequately trained — not just in operating technology, but in interpreting and applying it within real-world community settings.

He also highlighted that disease surveillance systems, increasingly driven by digital platforms, still rely heavily on human intervention for accurate data collection, validation and response. Without skilled personnel on the ground, even the most advanced systems risk becoming underutilised.

Thus, strengthening frontline capacity is not optional — it is foundational and its future must not be solely a public system’s responsibility, but collaborative efforts must be invested in building a workforce that can seamlessly integrate technology with human judgement, ensuring both efficient service delivery and responsive public health systems.

Economic Accessibility: From Coverage to Comprehension

While infrastructure and workforce challenges often dominate the discourse, the economic condition of individuals remains one of the most decisive barriers to healthcare access in rural healthcare in India. For many households, seeking medical care is not just a health decision, it is a financial calculation. 

Loss of daily wages, cost of travel, diagnostic expenses and medication collectively discourage timely care seeking. As a result, illnesses are often delayed, under treated or ignored until they become critical. A loop where poverty and poor health get intertwined with each other. 

Thus, addressing this grave challenge, the discussions at the Health Parliament brought forward the importance of strengthening financial protection mechanisms, particularly through Universal Health Coverage – a foundational requirement for equitable and inclusive growth of the nation.

To ensure healthcare is more accessible, Professor K. Reddy, eminent public health expert stated that “Universal Health Coverage should offer both service coverage and financial protection” – this dual focus will ensure that affordability and availability will go hand in hand”  

Reinforcing this Dr. Ardey, Smile Foundation states that “Universal Health Coverage which includes preventive and promotive care is the only way forward”. UHC coverage must move beyond financial coverage to a more holistic life cycle approach to healthcare.

At the implementation level, Dr. Barnwal, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Authority of India noted that “health coverage in India has reached approximately 65% of socially vulnerable populations,” signalling progress, yet also indicating the remaining gap in universal inclusion while, Ms. Pradhan pointed out that “reducing out-of-pocket expenses is important for expanding service coverage,” but financial protection alone is insufficient without effective execution and awareness.

And this is where CSR partnerships with NGOs in India like Smile Foundation can help in bridging an essential gap in India’s rural healthcare, by not just being a supportive functionary, but a critical bridge between policy intent and on ground execution. Highlighted by Mr. Satnam Singh, Senior General Manager of Health at Smile Foundation, he states that CSR partnerships with credible NGO partners can create measurable impact. 

Socio-cultural Accessibility: The Role of Trust in Healthcare Utilisation

One of the most overlooked issues of accessibility to quality healthcare in rural India is the social cultural factors. The presence of healthcare services does not automatically translate into their utilisation, as a critical barrier lies in trust. Rural communities tend to prefer familiar and relationship driven interactions over impersonal or purely digital interfaces. 

This perspective was reinforced by Dr. Gupta’s analysis of health determinants, where he showed how only 10–20% of health outcomes are influenced by clinical care, while a significant proportion is shaped by environmental factors (24%), food systems (20%), genetics (20%) and individual behaviour (10–15%).

Weak community engagement further limits acceptance of healthcare systems, creating a gap between availability and actual usage. In this context, accessibility extends beyond physical reach — it becomes psychological and relational. Without trust, even well-designed interventions risk remaining underutilised.

Therefore, the only way forward is to ensure that healthcare does not operate in isolation or just as a responsibility of the public healthcare system. Building trust, influencing behaviour and engaging communities are central to improving outcomes, making socio-cultural accessibility a critical lever in achieving meaningful healthcare access.

Partner with Us: Deliver Healthcare that Reaches

Achieving accessible healthcare within rural healthcare infrastructure and system in India, requires a system-level shit–from integrating geography, infrastructure, workforce readiness, affordability and trust into a cohesive delivery model. 

As the Health Parliament discussions highlighted, that access is not a single variable but a factor which shapes the continuity of the real world conditions. And this is exactly, where CSR partnerships with Smile Foundation can move beyond compliance to strategic interventions for building affordable, accessible and equitable last-mile healthcare delivery mechanisms while also strengthening the implementation ecosystem and generating measurable and sustainable social impact – ensuring that no life suffers because of inadequate or untimely care. 

Partner with Smile Foundation to co create action driven healthcare solutions that reach the last door, of the last mile.

Sources:

Brave Nurse Crosses Flooded Stream In Himachal Pradesh To Vaccinate Baby

Achievements under National Health Mission (2021-24): A Milestone in Improving India’s Public Health Outcomes

Categories
CSR

CSR in India: Obligations, Compliance, and Impact Under Section 135

India became the first country in the world to legally mandate Corporate Social Responsibility when Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 came into force on April 1, 2014. Over the decade since, the cumulative CSR investment by Indian companies has crossed Rs. 1.53 lakh crore, as recorded in the Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled in Parliament. In FY 2023-24 alone, 27,188 companies spent Rs. 34,908.75 crore on CSR, as confirmed through a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2501 in August 2025.

Yet despite a decade of mandatory compliance, significant ambiguity persists in boardrooms. Companies still struggle with precise obligation calculations, Schedule VII interpretation, implementing agency vetting, and the compliance implications of the 2025 amendments.

This article provides a precise, legally grounded overview of CSR obligations in India for FY 2025-26, structured for business leaders, compliance officers, and CSR professionals who need clarity, not generalities.

Summary

•  CSR is mandatory under Section 135, Companies Act 2013, for companies meeting net worth, turnover, or profit thresholds

•  Minimum spend is 2% of average net profits from the preceding three financial years, calculated under Section 198

•  All CSR activities must align with Schedule VII of the Companies Act

•  The Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 452(E)), effective July 14, 2025, mandate a revised Form CSR-1 for all implementing agencies taking up new projects

•  Unspent CSR on ongoing projects must transfer to an Unspent CSR Account within 30 days of year-end; non-project unspent amounts go to approved funds within 6 months

The Legal Framework: What Section 135 Requires

The governing statute is Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014, and their subsequent amendments. The full text of Section 135 is available on India Code (indiacode.nic.in), the official repository of all Central Acts maintained by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Section 135(1) mandates that every eligible company “shall constitute a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of the Board”. Section 135(5) requires the Board to ensure that the company spends in every financial year at least 2% of the average net profits of the company made during the three immediately preceding financial years on CSR, in pursuance of its CSR Policy.

What CSR Is Not

The MCA FAQ Circular No. 14/2021 on CSR provides critical clarifications on the boundaries of what qualifies:

  • Activities for the exclusive benefit of employees and their families do not qualify as CSR
  • Contributions to political parties under Section 182 of the Act are expressly excluded
  • Sponsorships for direct commercial benefit or brand building do not constitute CSR
  • Activities outside India are not eligible for CSR credit
  • One-time events or activities not linked to the CSR Policy are not qualifying expenditures
💡 Key Takeaway

CSR under Section 135 is a statutory obligation governed by the Companies Act, 2013. The MCA Circular No. 14/2021 explicitly excludes employee benefit activities, political contributions, and activities outside India from qualifying as CSR expenditure.

Eligibility Criteria and Obligation Calculation

Who Must Comply

As per Section 135(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, CSR provisions apply to every company (private, public, listed, unlisted, Section 8, holding, subsidiary, and foreign companies operating in India) that meets any one of the following thresholds in the immediately preceding financial year:

Criterion Threshold Key Notes
Net Worth Rs. 500 crore or more Paid-up share capital + reserves and surplus
Annual Turnover Rs. 1,000 crore or more Total revenues in the preceding financial year
Net Profit (after tax) Rs. 5 crore or more Calculated as per Section 198, Companies Act 2013

Important: Each company is assessed independently every year. A subsidiary must independently meet the thresholds; the parent’s obligation does not transfer. A company that qualifies in one year but falls below all three thresholds in the following year is no longer obligated to comply for that subsequent year.

Calculating the 2% Obligation

The obligation is 2% of average net profits from the immediately preceding three financial years. Net profit for this purpose is computed under Section 198 of the Companies Act, which mandates specific additions and deductions, primarily excluding capital receipts/payments, income tax, and set-off of past losses. The calculation is exclusive of the items specified under Rule 2(1)(h) of the CSR Policy Rules, 2014.

Illustration: If a company’s Section 198 net profits were Rs. 80 crore (FY 2022-23), Rs. 100 crore (FY 2023-24), and Rs. 120 crore (FY 2024-25), the average is Rs. 100 crore. The minimum CSR obligation for FY 2025-26 is Rs. 2 crore.

Newly incorporated companies: If a company has not completed three financial years since incorporation, the average is computed over the available preceding financial years.

Carry forward of excess spend: Excess CSR spend in any financial year can be set off against the obligation of up to three succeeding financial years. This is capped at a maximum set-off of 5% of the CSR obligation for those years.

💡 Key Takeaway

Eligibility is assessed annually based on the preceding financial year. Meeting any one of three thresholds triggers the obligation. The 2% is on average net profits under Section 198, and excess spend can be carried forward for up to three years subject to a 5% annual cap.

Schedule VII: Approved CSR Activities

All CSR expenditure must fund activities aligned with Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. The Schedule is meant to be interpreted broadly, as clarified by MCA. The current Schedule VII, including amendments, is available on India Code. The following table presents the operative categories:

Sl. Schedule VII Category Representative Activities
I Poverty, Malnutrition, Hunger, Healthcare, Sanitation Hunger eradication, preventive healthcare, safe drinking water, sanitation, malnutrition programs, health camps
II Education, Vocational Skills, Livelihoods, Special Education Vocational training, digital literacy, scholarships, school infrastructure, special education for persons with disabilities
III Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Old Age Homes Livelihood programs for women, homes for women and orphans, day care facilities, old age homes, gender equality initiatives
IV Environmental Sustainability, Ecological Balance Afforestation, watershed management, waste management, renewable energy, water conservation, animal welfare, soil conservation
V Protection of National Heritage, Art, Culture Restoration of heritage sites, promotion of art forms, traditional crafts, culture preservation
VI Measures for Armed Forces Veterans, War Widows, Dependants Support to veteran welfare programs, war widows’ relief
VII Training for Olympic and Paralympic Sports Grassroots sports infrastructure, athlete support, Olympic and Paralympic sports promotion
VIII Contributions to PM Relief Fund and Other Notified Funds PM National Relief Fund, PM CARES, Clean Ganga Fund, Swachh Bharat Kosh, notified state disaster funds
IX Technology Incubators in Academic Institutions Contributions to Central Government approved incubators at IITs, IIMs, NIT, CSIR, ICAR, DRDO-affiliated labs
X Rural Development Projects Rural infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, rural electrification, sanitation in rural areas
XI Slum Area Development Infrastructure in government-notified slum areas
XII Disaster Management Disaster relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities

According to data sourced from the National CSR Portal, csr.gov.in, education and vocational skills received the largest allocation in recent years, followed by healthcare and sanitation. Companies like Smile Foundation, which operate structured programs across education, healthcare, women empowerment, and livelihood, align simultaneously with multiple Schedule VII categories, allowing corporate partners to fulfil their obligation across recognized priority areas through a single implementation relationship.

💡 Key Takeaway

Schedule VII defines 12 broad categories of qualifying CSR activities. Education, healthcare, and rural development together attract over 70% of national CSR spend. The Schedule is meant to be interpreted liberally, and any activity not reasonably covered by Schedule VII will not qualify regardless of its social merit.

CSR Governance: Committee, Policy, and Board Accountability

CSR Committee Requirements

Section 135(1) mandates that eligible companies constitute a CSR Committee of at least three directors, of whom at least one must be an independent director. However, the MCA has clarified a threshold-based exception: companies whose CSR obligation for the financial year is below Rs. 50 lakh are not required to constitute a CSR Committee. In such cases, the functions of the Committee are discharged directly by the Board of Directors.

The CSR Committee’s responsibilities include formulating the CSR Policy, recommending the annual expenditure plan, and monitoring implementation. The Board approves the Policy, ensures annual spend compliance, and signs off on disclosures.

CSR Policy Disclosure

The CSR Policy must be formulated by the CSR Committee and approved by the Board. It must:

  • Identify the CSR projects and programs to be undertaken, along with their scope and beneficiary areas
  • Specify the modalities of implementation: direct or through implementing agencies
  • Set the monitoring and reporting mechanism
  • Be published on the company’s official website (mandatory)

Annual Disclosure: Form CSR-2

All eligible companies must file Form CSR-2 (Report on Corporate Social Responsibility) with the Registrar of Companies, as an addendum to the Directors’ Report. The form captures CSR obligation for the year, total expenditure, project-wise details, implementing agency details, reasons for any shortfall, and unspent fund transfer data. Non-filing or late filing is a separate compliance violation independent of shortfall in spending.

💡 Key Takeaway

Companies with CSR obligations below Rs. 50 lakh are exempt from forming a CSR Committee; the Board discharges the function directly. All eligible companies must file Form CSR-2 annually and publish their CSR Policy on their website.

Unspent CSR Amounts, Transfer Rules, and Penalties

Treatment of Unspent CSR Funds

Section 135(5) and 135(6) govern the treatment of unspent CSR funds, distinguishing between two scenarios:

  • Ongoing projects (Section 135(6)): If the CSR amount relates to a project approved by the Board as ongoing, unspent amounts must be transferred to a designated Unspent CSR Account opened in a scheduled commercial bank within 30 days of the end of the financial year. Funds in this account must be utilized within three financial years from the date of transfer. Failure to utilize triggers mandatory transfer to a Schedule VII fund.
  • Non-ongoing purposes (Section 135(5)): Unspent amounts not attributable to ongoing projects must be transferred to a fund specified in Schedule VII (such as PM CARES, Swachh Bharat Kosh, or Clean Ganga Fund) within six months of the end of the financial year.

Civil Penalties for Non-Compliance

The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2020 replaced criminal penalties for CSR non-compliance with a civil penalty regime. The consequences are:

Nature of Default Company Penalty Officer Penalty
Failure to spend required CSR amount Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 25,00,000 Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5,00,000
Failure to transfer unspent to Unspent CSR Account (30 days) Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 25,00,000 Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5,00,000
Failure to transfer to Schedule VII fund (6 months) Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 25,00,000 Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5,00,000

The government monitors compliance through disclosures made by companies via e-form AOC-4 on the MCA portal. The National CSR Portal, csr.gov.in provides publicly accessible data on CSR spending by company, state, sector, and year, enabling regulatory scrutiny and public accountability.

💡 Key Takeaway

Unspent CSR for ongoing projects must be transferred to an Unspent CSR Account within 30 days. Non-project unspent amounts go to Schedule VII approved funds within 6 months. Non-compliance with either deadline is independently penalizable up to Rs. 25 lakh for the company and Rs. 5 lakh for officers.

Key Updates: CSR Amendments Effective in FY 2025-26

Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2025 – G.S.R. 452(E)

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2025 via G.S.R. 452(E) on July 7, 2025, effective from July 14, 2025. This amendment introduced a fully revised e-Form CSR-1 for implementing agencies.

What the revised Form CSR-1 requires:

  • Valid Section 12A registration and Section 80G approval under the Income Tax Act, 1961
  • A minimum three-year operational track record in CSR-eligible activities (waived only if the agency was established by the disbursing company itself)
  • Audited financial statements and valid PAN
  • OTP-verified email address and Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
  • Professional certification by a practising Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, or Cost and Management Accountant
  • Only implementing agencies with a new CSR registration number issued under the revised Form CSR-1 (post-July 14, 2025) can undertake new CSR projects. Existing registrations remain valid for ongoing projects but must be updated for any new engagement.

Impact Assessment: Mandatory Threshold

For companies whose average CSR obligation equals or exceeds Rs. 10 crore over the immediately preceding three financial years, a third-party impact assessment is mandatory for CSR projects above Rs. 1 crore. The assessment cost is admissible as CSR expenditure, capped at the lower of 5% of total CSR spend or Rs. 50 lakh per financial year.

Administrative Overhead Cap

Administrative overheads incurred by the company for management and administration of CSR activities cannot exceed 5% of total CSR expenditure for the financial year. Expenses directly attributable to specific CSR projects are not classified as overhead and do not count toward this limit.

💡 Key Takeaway

The Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 452(E)), effective July 14, 2025, require all implementing agencies to register under the revised Form CSR-1 for new CSR projects. This mandates 12A/80G certifications, a 3-year track record, DSC, and professional certification. Third-party impact assessment is mandatory for companies with average CSR obligations exceeding Rs. 10 crore.

Building a Compliant and Strategic CSR Program: A Structured Approach

Compliance and impact are not mutually exclusive. The most credible CSR programs are those that integrate legal requirements with genuine development outcomes, structured around the following steps.

Step 1: Verify Eligibility and Compute the Obligation

Examine your company’s financials for the immediately preceding financial year. Check whether any one of the three thresholds is met. If yes, compute 2% of the average Section 198 net profits over the preceding three financial years. This is your minimum spend floor.

Step 2: Constitute the CSR Committee or Assign to the Board

If your obligation is Rs. 50 lakh or above, constitute a CSR Committee of at least three directors, one of whom must be independent. If the obligation is below Rs. 50 lakh, the Board itself performs the CSR Committee’s functions.

Step 3: Draft the CSR Policy and Publish It

The Policy must identify approved Schedule VII activities aligned to your company’s values and operational geography, specify the implementation mechanism (direct or through agencies), and define monitoring and reporting protocols. Publish it on your official website before the start of any project spending.

Step 4: Verify and Engage Implementing Agencies

Any implementing agency receiving CSR funds for new projects from July 14, 2025 onwards must hold a valid CSR registration number under the revised Form CSR-1. Verify the following before signing any CSR implementation agreement: Section 12A registration, Section 80G approval, three-year operational track record, audited accounts, PAN, and current CSR registration number. Verify their registration status on the National CSR Portal.

Smile Foundation, operating across education, healthcare, women empowerment, and livelihood programs aligned with Schedules I through III of Schedule VII, maintains all requisite credentials and provides corporate partners with structured program frameworks, quarterly impact reports, and full Form CSR-2 compatible documentation.

Step 5: Define Projects with Measurable, Time-Bound Outcomes

Move beyond budget allocation toward outcome definition. For each CSR project, define the target beneficiary count, geographic scope, measurable outcome indicators, and timeline. This is essential for Board reporting, impact assessment, and stakeholder communication.

Step 6: Monitor, Assess, and Report

Track project implementation against sanctioned plans throughout the year. If your average obligation exceeds Rs. 10 crore, engage a third-party assessor for qualifying projects. Compile all data for Form CSR-2, which must reflect the full obligation, expenditure, project-wise breakdown, implementing agency details, unspent amounts, and transfer records.

💡 Key Takeaway

A structured CSR program starts with precise obligation computation, moves through Committee formation and Policy publication, selects implementing agencies with verified post-July 2025 CSR-1 registration, defines projects with measurable outcomes, and culminates in a complete Form CSR-2 disclosure.

Common CSR Compliance Errors and Their Consequences

Error 1: Misclassifying non-qualifying activities as CSR

Employee welfare programs, staff training, and marketing-linked social campaigns do not qualify under Schedule VII, regardless of their social appearance. The MCA Circular No. 14/2021 draws a clear line. Misclassification inflates apparent CSR spend and creates audit exposure.

Error 2: Engaging implementing agencies without updated CSR-1 registration

Post-July 14, 2025, any implementing agency undertaking new CSR projects must hold a registration number under the revised Form CSR-1. Companies disbursing CSR funds to agencies without this updated registration risk having the expenditure classified as non-qualifying, creating a shortfall liability.

Error 3: Missing the unspent fund transfer deadlines

The 30-day deadline for ongoing project unspent funds and the 6-month deadline for non-project unspent amounts are independently penalizable. Many companies focus on the annual spend figure while missing the transfer mechanism, creating unnecessary penalty exposure.

Error 4: Treating CSR as tax-deductible without verification

CSR expenditure mandated under Section 135 is explicitly not deductible as a business expense under Section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act, because it is not incurred wholly for business purposes. Certain CSR donations to approved funds may qualify under Section 80G, but this requires independent verification with a qualified tax professional.

Error 5: Exceeding the 5% administrative overhead cap

Company administrative costs for CSR management (not project-level costs) are capped at 5% of annual CSR expenditure. Misclassifying project-related expenses as administrative, or vice versa, creates compliance risk. All overhead claims should be documented and defensible.

Error 6: Deferring CSR planning to Q3 or Q4

Projects initiated in January or February for a March 31 deadline produce low-quality outcomes, weak documentation, and inadequate impact data. CSR programs should be approved by the Board at the start of the financial year with implementation timelines built into the project plan.

Error 7: Incomplete Form CSR-2 disclosure

The Form CSR-2 Annual Report is the primary compliance document examined by the MCA and auditors. Missing project details, unverified implementing agency names, absent shortfall justifications, or failure to disclose unspent transfers are each independent disclosure failures that invite scrutiny.

Strategic Considerations for CSR Leaders

Pro Tip #1: Align CSR focus areas with your company’s material sustainability issues

Companies with water-intensive operations funding watershed programs, or supply-chain businesses supporting farmer livelihoods, produce more defensible CSR disclosures and more authentic stakeholder communications. This alignment also strengthens your ESG and SEBI BRSR disclosures, which increasingly reference CSR as the social pillar.

Pro Tip #2: Commit to multi-year program partnerships over annual project cycles

Single-year CSR projects rarely demonstrate durable impact. Multi-year commitments to credible implementation partners allow deeper community engagement, better longitudinal data, and more compelling impact assessment findings. Ask prospective partners for three-year program frameworks before committing funding.

Pro Tip #3: Build internal CSR capacity, not just external partnerships

Companies that treat CSR purely as a fund transfer function produce weaker outcomes and weaker disclosures. Dedicated internal CSR leadership, budget tracking systems, and a Board-level review calendar ensure that CSR receives the same governance rigor as any other significant business investment.

Pro Tip #4: Integrate CSR reporting with your SEBI BRSR disclosures

For listed companies, SEBI’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework treats CSR as the social component of ESG. CSR program data, beneficiary counts, and impact metrics should feed directly into the BRSR disclosure to avoid duplication of effort and ensure consistency across regulatory filings.

Pro Tip #5: Anticipate threshold revisions

Calls to revise Section 135 eligibility thresholds have grown louder since corporate profits have more than doubled since 2014 when thresholds were set. As of March 2026, proposals are under government consideration. Companies approaching any of the three thresholds should begin CSR framework development proactively rather than reactively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is CSR under Indian law?

A: CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) under Indian law is a statutory obligation defined by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. Eligible companies are required to spend at least 2% of their average net profits (computed under Section 198) from the immediately preceding three financial years on activities listed in Schedule VII of the Act. This is a compliance obligation with defined timelines, disclosure requirements, and civil penalties for non-compliance. It is not voluntary philanthropy.

Q: Which companies are required to comply with Section 135?

A: As per Section 135(1), every company that meets any one of three thresholds in the immediately preceding financial year must comply: (i) net worth of Rs. 500 crore or more, (ii) annual turnover of Rs. 1,000 crore or more, or (iii) net profit of Rs. 5 crore or more. This applies to all company types, including private, public, listed, unlisted, Section 8, holding, subsidiary, and foreign companies with Indian presence. Each company is assessed independently every year.

Q: Is CSR expenditure deductible as a business expense?

A: No. The Income Tax Act expressly disallows Section 37(1) deductions for expenditure that is not incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the business. Mandatory CSR under Section 135 does not meet this test. However, specific CSR donations made to funds specified in Schedule VII (such as PM CARES or Swachh Bharat Kosh) may independently qualify for deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Companies should obtain qualified tax advice for their specific situation.

Q: What are the consequences of CSR non-compliance?

A: Non-compliance with Section 135 attracts civil penalties following the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2020. The company faces a penalty between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,00,000. Every officer in default faces a penalty between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 5,00,000. Failure to transfer unspent CSR amounts within the prescribed deadlines constitutes a separate and independently penalizable violation. The MCA monitors compliance through disclosures on the MCA portal and the National CSR Portal.

Q: What changed with the CSR Amendment Rules 2025?

A: The Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified as G.S.R. 452(E) on July 7, 2025 and effective from July 14, 2025, replaced the existing e-Form CSR-1 with a revised format. All implementing agencies (Trusts, Societies, Section 8 companies) that wish to undertake new CSR projects must now file the revised Form CSR-1 and obtain a new CSR registration number. The revised form mandates Section 12A/80G certifications, a three-year track record, DSC, OTP-verified email, and professional certification by a practising CA, CS, or CMA. Existing registrations remain valid for ongoing projects.

Q: When is a third-party impact assessment mandatory?

A: A third-party impact assessment is mandatory for companies whose average CSR obligation over the immediately preceding three financial years equals or exceeds Rs. 10 crore. The assessment covers CSR projects of Rs. 1 crore or more. The cost of the assessment is admissible as CSR expenditure, subject to a ceiling of the lower of 5% of annual CSR expenditure or Rs. 50 lakh per financial year.

Q: What is the difference between CSR and ESG?

A: CSR in India is a specific statutory compliance obligation under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, focused on social spending. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a broader framework used by investors, regulators, and rating agencies to evaluate a company’s sustainability performance across all three dimensions. In India, the SEBI-mandated Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework for listed companies treats CSR as the primary input to the social dimension of ESG disclosures. CSR compliance is necessary but not sufficient for a strong ESG profile.

Q: How should a company select an implementing agency for CSR?

A: A rigorous implementing agency evaluation should confirm: (i) valid CSR registration number under the revised Form CSR-1 (post-July 14, 2025) for new projects, (ii) Section 12A and Section 80G certifications, (iii) a minimum three-year operational track record in CSR-eligible activities, (iv) audited financial statements, (v) clear program frameworks with defined beneficiary groups and measurable outcomes, and (vi) capability to provide impact data compatible with Form CSR-2 reporting. Verify agency registration on the National CSR Portal. Organizations like Smile Foundation, which have documented programs across education, healthcare, women empowerment, and livelihood, maintain all requisite credentials and offer structured corporate partnership frameworks.

Conclusion

CSR under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 is now an established pillar of India’s corporate governance architecture. With Rs. 34,908.75 crore spent in FY 2023-24 as confirmed through Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2501, and the regulatory framework growing more precise with each amendment cycle, the era of treating CSR as a year-end budget disposal exercise is ending.

Core obligations to keep current in FY 2025-26:

  • Verify eligibility annually against Section 135(1) thresholds; assess independently per company entity
  • Compute the 2% obligation precisely under Section 198 and document the calculation
  • Ensure all implementing agencies hold valid CSR registration numbers under the revised Form CSR-1 (G.S.R. 452(E), effective July 14, 2025)
  • Manage unspent fund transfers within the prescribed 30-day and 6-month statutory deadlines
  • File a complete and accurate Form CSR-2 with the Board Report, disclosing all project details and fund utilization

For businesses seeking to fulfil their Section 135 obligations through a credible, Schedule VII-aligned implementation partner, Smile Foundation’s corporate CSR partnership program offers structured frameworks across education, healthcare, women empowerment, and livelihood, with complete compliance documentation including Form CSR-2-compatible reporting, Form 10BE, and post-July 2025 CSR registration compliance.

Sources and Legal References

  1. India Code: Section 135, Companies Act, 2013 (Ministry of Law and Justice)
  2. India Code: Schedule VII, Companies Act, 2013
  3. National CSR Portal (csr.gov.in), Ministry of Corporate Affairs
  4. MCA FAQ Circular No. 14/2021 on Section 135 CSR
  5. G.S.R. 452(E): Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2025 – effective July 14, 2025
  6. Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2501 (August 4, 2025) – CSR Expenditure Data FY 2019-24
  7. Income Tax India – Section 80G and Section 37(1)
  8. Economic Survey 2023-24 (Ministry of Finance, Government of India)
  9. Smile Foundation – Corporate CSR Partnership
Categories
CSR Partners In Change Partnerships

Unlocking the Power of CSR-NGO Partnerships 

When Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was introduced in India in 2013, it sparked debate. Some hailed it as a vital lever to ensure inclusive national progress, while others dismissed it as a bureaucratic obligation. Fast forward to 2025 and CSR has evolved from a peripheral compliance exercise into a strategic imperative. Today, both large and small enterprises weave CSR into the very fabric of their business, pursuing a shared vision: advancing the nation, one life at a time. 

This evolution has not happened in isolation. The rise of CSR-NGO partnerships has become a defining feature of India’s CSR landscape, transforming charitable giving into a measurable force for social change. As ESG commitments gain prominence, corporates and NGOs emerge as dual energies, driving inclusive growth and community transformation.

The Power of CSR-NGO Partnerships 

Corporates and NGOs are in many ways polar opposites. Their operational philosophies , priorities and approaches diverge sharply. Yet, precisely this divergence gives rise to extraordinary synergy as when aligned, they become formidable forces, capable of delivering structured and long lasting social impact. 

  • Enhanced Social Impact 

NGOs bring hyperlocal insights and deep community ties, enabling corporates to design initiatives that are both relevant and scalable. By harnessing this expertise, CSR programs address the unique challenges of India’s diverse communities, reaching underserved populations with precision. 

  • Shared Resources and Risk Mitigation 

Pooling financial, human and technical resources makes CSR-NGO partnerships more robust and sustainable. Risks, whether operational or financial are distributed allowing bold,ambitious projects that might otherwise remain unattempted. 

  • Strengthening Corporate Reputation 

Collaborating with credible NGOs signals authenticity, elevating the corporate brand while reinforcing public trust. Companies are no longer seen as mere profit seekers, they are now recognised and held accountable, as social stakeholders shaping an inclusive world. 

  • Innovation and Mutual Learning

The contrasting strengths of corporates and NGOs such as financial and managerial expertise v/s grassroots knowledge and closeness, create fragile ground for mutual learning. This exchange fosters continuous improvement, strategic refinement and creative problem-solving, enhancing the effectiveness of interventions over time.

The Strategic Shift in India’s CSR

India’s CSR law mandates that companies dedicate a minimum 2% of net profits to social causes. Initially, this created a transactional dynamic as corporates sought reputational benefits, while NGOs primarily sought funding. 

However, times have changed. Modern CSR is no longer about compliance; it is about strategic collaboration. A recent C&E advisory report highlights that companies and non-profit organisations, increasingly join forces now to tackle complex social challenges. Today CSR-NGO partnerships aim not merely to satisfy legal obligations, but to co-create sustainable impact for the communities in which they operate.

The New CSR Playbook: Data, Tech, Community

  1. Tech-Enabled CSR

Digital transformation has revolutionised CSR, turning technology into a lever for measurable social outcomes. AI-driven EdTech, digital classrooms, STEM mobile labs, mobile health units, teleconsultations, and real-time screenings are enabling corporates and NGOs to deliver targeted interventions. What was once goodwill has become precision-driven action.

  1. Measuring Impact with Data

Analytics and impact measurement tools allow CSR interventions to move beyond activity-based metrics to tangible outcomes. Dashboards and real time analytics enhance transparency, accountability and adaptability, enabling corporates and NGOs to track progress and build trust within the communities they serve. 

  1. Building Sustainable and Green Communities

CSR initiatives now embrace environmental stewardship as a core objective. From vegetable gardens and plantation drives to creative “best out of waste” corporate volunteering activities– such partnerships help in integrating the “E” in the ESG, fostering a sustainable ecosystem while infusing the spirit of belongingness in the community. 

  1. Empowering Human Capital 

Skill development, inclusive education and financial literacy are at the heart of CSR-NGO partnerships. Digital classrooms, vocational training and microenterprise support especially for women of rural and urban poor communities of India are pivotal for India’s growth. Such interventions help in translating potential into opportunity, bridging social and economic gaps, while creating sustainable livelihoods. 

CSR in Action: Real-World Transformations

  1. Job-Ready Youth: A Pathway to Inclusive Growth

A partnership between Flipkart Foundation and Smile Foundation is transforming the lives of marginalised youth in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Through industry-relevant training in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, over 1,000 young individuals have acquired the skills, confidence, and pathways to meaningful employment, demonstrating the tangible impact of CSR-NGO partnerships.

2. Upskilling for Empowerment

Ashirvad by Aliaxis and Smile Foundation have launched the “Plumber Saathi” mobile training programme across Odisha, equipping youth with practical plumbing skills. By combining corporate expertise with grassroots outreach, the programme promotes self-reliance and contributes to long-term socio-economic development in underserved communities.

3. Strengthening Early Education

CNH Industrial (New Holland) and Smile Foundation have collaborated to integrate digital classrooms, teacher training, and practical learning tools, addressing foundational gaps in early education. Through interactive technologies, children gain essential literacy and numeracy skills, ensuring equitable learning opportunities and fostering lifelong educational engagement.

Smile Foundation’s CSR Philosophy

India’s CSR landscape has evolved from compliance-driven charity to strategic measurable impact and Smile Foundation embodies this philosophy; supporting those in need by leveraging the expertise of CSR-NGO partnerships for achieving a bigger goal of creating sustainable change, empowering communities and fostering an egalitarian nation. 

By combining technology, data and grassroots expertise, Smile Foundation works towards ensuring that collectively both corporates and NGOs in India, become a strategic force for irrevocable positive transformation. 

Join us and explore how your orgnaisation can transform goodwill into measurable chance and build a future where every life thrives. 

Sources-

  1. The Impact of Digital Transformation on CSR: Trends, Challenges, and Future Outlook
  2. Do data-driven CSR initiatives improve CSR performance? The importance of big data analytics capability
  3. ‘Incredibly resilient’: Corporate-NGO tie-ups switch from ‘tactical’ to ‘problem solving’
  4. Corporate- Non Profit Partnerships Barometer 2025 by c&e advisory
Categories
CSR Employee Engagement Partners In Change Partnerships Smile

Beyond Doing Nice : Employee Engagement that Changes Lives

Humans are wired to connect, as isolation has never been our natural state. Over time, our interactions be it professional, personal or social have shaped not only relations, but the narratives that define communities and generations. Among these, employee engagement has emerged as a uniquely powerful form of interaction. 

Today these engagements offer organisations more than productivity– they create opportunities to instill meaning, responsibility and purpose. When designed strategically, employee engagement becomes a lever for lasting impact, fostering workforce stations while delivering tangible societal benefits and bridging the connection between organisations, employees and the society they service.

Why Employee Engagement Matters 

Employee  engagement is not a perk, it is a power strategy. In every organisation, there are two kinds of workers– one, who moves with the intent and second, who simply go through the motions. The difference lies in engagement. An engaged employee takes initiative, resists the drift of apathy and aligns their daily actions with broader mission, while employees who are less engaged may keep their distance from the business’s core organisation and beliefs, which unfortunately can impact on the business’s culture. 

The Business Benefit 

Employee engagement is the unseen force that separates high performing cultures from those in decline. It has been observed that engaged teams collaborate more effectively, adapt with resilience under stress and deliver consistently better outcomes. Their discretionary effort– the willingness to go beyond what is required, directly translate into-

  • Stronger customary experience 
  • Reduced turnover 
  • Safer and productive workplaces 

Skills & Professional Development

Employees thrive when they see a path to growth– when they are coached, challenged and recognised for their strengths.They develop sharper skills through meaningful projects, mentoring and volunteering opportunities to stretch their abilities. This investment is not altruism; it is the cultivation of human capital that returns dividends in innovation, loyalty and leadership. 

Corporate Value Alignment & ESG 

Modern employees demand more than pay– they seek purpose. Gartner research shows that 87% of employees believe that businesses should take a stand on societal issues, even those not directly linked to operations. It has also been found that, when companies act authentically i.e, rooted in their values and consistent with their strategy, employees respond with heightened engagement and discretionary efforts. Furthermore, is important to note that today, the ESG and social impact initiatives have moved beyond external optics– today employees look at them as internal catalysts for business growth which invariably results in binding employees to the organisation’s mission and culture. 

Turning Purpose into Joyful Impact

Abraham Maslow, in his “Motivation and Personality” mapped the architecture of human motivation through a hierarchy of needs– physiological sustenance, shelter, love and belonging, esteem and ultimately– self actualisation. He mentioned, that while survival and recognition are foundational, it is the pursuit of self actualisation that defines the apex of human ambition. Being part of something larger than oneself– a workplace community, a volunteer group, a team or a shared culture provides the scaffolding on which individuals can transcend the ordinary, discover latent strengths and contribute meaningfully.

This is where purpose intersects with celebrations. Organisations that embed environmental, social and governance initiative– or any mission driven programme into the fabric of their culture do more than tick boxes. They provide avenues for employees to act, engage and connect, satisfying deeper psychological needs, while igniting a sense of shared achievement. 

When these purpose-driven actions interweave with festivities, ritual and the joy of giving the impact is amplified. Celebratory movements infused with meaning transform routine participation into a powerful experience of belonging and self-expression. This way, employees are not just participants, they become co-creators of impact, experiencing firsthand the exhilaration of growth, contribution and recognition. 

In essence, celebration driven engagement lies in self actualisation– when people are given the opportunity to connect, contribute and witness the tangible results of their efforts, particularly, in joyous, collective settings – the workplace becomes more than a site of productivity. It becomes a theater of human potential, a space where ambition, empathy and shared joy converge for holistic welfare. 

Joy of Giving Engagement to Amplify Purpose

The path to meaningful engagement begins with understanding the spectrum of initiatives that connect employees to causes larger than themselves.  Employees who are given avenues to align their work with a higher purpose, do not simply perform, but they transform – themselves and their environment. 

Within the framework of this purposeful corporate employee engagements, Smile Foundation offers an arean where skills, service and celebration converge creating opportunities for employees to connect, contribute and evolve. 

“When work touches life beyond the office, engagement becomes a force and not just a function”

Over the years, Smile Foundation has orchestrated employee engagement activities with strategic precision, dividing initiatives into education, community, skill and sustainability along with grand scale projects. This design has helped organisations to turn ordinary participation into a conduit of influence where they gain motivation, empowered teams, strengthened culture and visible impact– while their employees wield purposes as a subtle form of power, leaving an indelible mark on both society and the corporate realm.  

Initiative Impact
Education- Focussed Through these activities, the employees can mentor and facilitate through skill building, teaching and learning sessions, turning their work hours into meaningful impact while also demonstrating leadership through empathy
Community- FocussedHealth camps, cleanliness drives and green belt development transform employees into agents of tangible community change 
Skill & SustainabilitySustainability workshops, livelihood and soft skills workshops, plantation drives, kitchen gardens, seed ball initiatives empower employees to foster self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship and responsible change, leaving a legacy beyond the workplace
Special initiativesMarathons like the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Mumbai Marathon and TCS unite teams under a shared purpose. These high-visibility initiatives build pride, camaraderie and demonstrate that impact can be celebrated as powerfully as it is achieved.

Festive Engagements into Impact

By aligning employee engagement activities with festivals, corporates can transform ordinary celebrations into impact of instruments creating a virtuous circle where joy, giving and corporate purpose reinforces one another. 

Each celebration— be it Diwali, Christmas, DaanUtsav, Eid, Raksha Bandhan, Friendship Day or New Year can become a canvas for purposeful action. Activities like Rangoli making, crafting greeting cards, storytelling sessions, school kit drives and nutrition campaigns can become more than festival engagements, and more like deliberate acts that magnify engagement, strengthen corporate identity and create tangible social impact.

Furthermore initiatives such as volunteering drives of “Wall of Smiles” can convert contribution into culture, incentivising participation and embedding generosity into the organisational DNA. Distribution of winter kits, school supplies and nutrition meals can allow employees to witness immediate outcomes, amplifying morale and reinforcing the importance of human interactions for social causes. 

True impact meets action

With year round initiatives tied to the spirit of giving, Smile Foundation and many leading corporate houses have collaborated for meaningful engagements which has turned small acts into lasting acts of influence. Employees, communities and organisations have wholeheartedly participated in creating social change that paves way for a better future. Some of the examples are–

  1. Over 250 Adobe employees came together to craft eco-friendly clay idols, an act that transcended mere creativity. Every hand that shaped the clay left an imprint not just on the idols, but on children’s futures and the environment they will inherit. This was more than a zero-waste initiative—it was a deliberate gesture of responsibility, community, and hope, showing how small, mindful actions ripple into profound change.
  1. Team Dyson spent a day at our Mission Education Centre where they painted shoes, shared stories, and created moments of pure joy with children. Each brushstroke carried a message of care, each smile became a memory, and each interaction quietly transformed lives. In these simple yet deliberate acts, we see how togetherness can awaken hearts, inspire minds, and leave lasting impressions far beyond a single day.

  1. Through the Build a Bike Challenge, Smile Foundation and Wells Fargo volunteers exemplified the art of meaningful engagement. Beyond assembling bicycles, employees forged connections, inspired children, and infused joy and care into the process showing how deliberate initiatives can convert teamwork into lasting social and emotional impact.

Turn Engagement into Impact

In today’s business world, employee engagement is no longer a peripheral activity, it is a strategic necessity. Companies that align their workforce with meaningful purpose unlock not just productivity, but influence, loyalty, and cultural strength. 

Keeping this in mind, Smile Foundation demonstrates how strategically designed initiatives—spanning education, skilling, sustainability, and community development—can transform employees into architects of meaningful impact. 

When these engagements are woven into festivals, they transcend routine participation, creating moments that leave lasting impressions on both beneficiaries and employees. Such initiatives inspire, delight, and embed profound fulfilment, embodying the alchemy of purposeful engagement where personal satisfaction, social impact, and organisational advantage converge into a single, potent force.

Join us to transform employee engagement from routine to remarkable. Together, let’s harness the year-round joy of giving to create a masterstroke of collective impact—uplifting children, empowering communities, and inspiring your employees.

Sources —

What Is Employee Engagement, and How Do You Improve It?

Why organisations should invest in employee engagement

Corporate Advocacy of Social Issues Can Drive Employee Engagement

Social Impact Through Employee Engagement

Higher Employee Engagement through Social Intelligence: A Perspective of Indian Scenario

The importance of social interaction at work and beyond

A Guide to the 5 Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need

Categories
CSR Partners In Change Partnerships Smile

The 7 Core Dimensions of CSR in India

“Business has a responsibility beyond its basic responsibility to its shareholders; a responsibility to a broader constituency that includes its key stakeholders: customers, employees, NGOs, government – the people of the communities in which it operates.”

Courtney Pratt, Former CEO Toronto Hydro.

Corporate Social Responsibility in India has shifted from being viewed as an obligation to becoming a strategic enabler of sustainable growth. With Section 135 of the Companies Act making CSR mandatory, corporates now leverage purpose-driven NGO partnerships to achieve measurable outcomes. These collaborations embed ethics, innovation and accountability, fostering resilient communities and driving long-term societal transformation. In crux, one can understand the world of CSR through the Caroll’s pyramid of CSR which defines responsibility across four layers- economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic.

CSR and Indian businesses

India’s business landscape experienced a transformation since 1990s. Industries expanded globally, driving impressive growth in sales and market share. Yet, alongside this progress came the realisation that unchecked expansion risked resource overuse and environmental strain. At the same time, as the bond between businesses and consumers deepened, it became clear that this relationship must also extend to supporting the communities that sustain them, thereby contributing to the holistic development of the nation.

  1. Importance of CSR in India
  • Globalisation
    Global trade and integrated supply chains have heightened expectations around fair labour practices, environmental stewardship and community welfare. Forward-looking companies now embrace CSR partnerships not only to comply with emerging regulations but also to build resilience, enhance market access and secure long-term growth.
  • International guidelines
    Global frameworks such as the UN Global Compact and SA8000 encourage corporates to align with universally accepted principles on human rights, the environment and anti-corruption. While advisory, these standards have significantly influenced CSR in India, motivating corporates to collaborate through CSR NGO partnerships that deliver practical, scalable solutions to social challenges.
  • Corporates as brands
    Corporates are no longer isolated economic actors but vital pillars of society. By embedding strategic CSR partnerships into their core, businesses in India are moving beyond traditional philanthropy to drive purposeful, lasting change. This alignment of profitability with social impact not only strengthens corporate reputation but also builds enduring trust with stakeholders.
  1. Strategic alignment with business goals 

As per Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 companies are supposed to allocate 2% of average net profits towards social development. But, if one looks closely, the responsibility is not just monetarily, but in aligning CSR activities with broader business strategies. 

Corporates through CSR partnerships establish a long term investment in sustainability. When companies integrate CSR laws into their core business models, they achieve a dual purpose of contributing to national development while also enforcing their own competitiveness. 

For example, when a healthcare company invests in rural healthcare initiatives under CSR, they not only fulfils compliance but also builds trust within the communities, expands market reach and promotes a healthier customer base. 

CSR is perceived as shared value creation, where profitability and social well being move hand in hand. It strengthens 

  • Brand reputation 
  • Improves stakeholder trust
  • Enhances risk management 

Thereby, proving that structured CSR partnerships with NGOs enable effective last mile delivery and measurable impact.

Handbook on Corporate Social Responsibility in India (Source: PwC)

  1. Community-centric approach 

One of the most critical shifts in Corporate Social Responsibility practice in India has been the movement from top-down philanthropy to co-created community led models of development.  According to the Journal of Business Perspective, 2022 research has shown that CSR initiatives designed with active community participation achieve greater relevance, sustainability and long term acceptance. 

By involving local stakeholders in identifying challenges and shaping solutions, companies design interventions rooted in real needs and cultural contexts, making them more effective and sustainable. This participatory approach then fosters trust, ownership and stewardship, enabling communities to continue initiatives beyond the funding cycles.

On the other hand, NGOs in India play a vital role in bridging the gaps between the grassroot communities and corporates; by translating corporate intent into grassroots action through network and credibility. Thus showcasing that corporates, NGOs and communities can create purpose-driven partnerships that deliver inclusive scalability and ensure social change across India.

  1. Sustainability & environmental responsibility – Focus areas

ESG driven CSR demonstrates that companies integrating environmental, social and governance priorities enhance long term value creation rather than compromise it. Governance strengthens accountability, environmental projects deliver sustainability and the social dimension delivers the most immediate impact on the marginalised communities of India. By investing in the following focus areas, corporates can optimise their CSR goals with long term sustainability. 

  • Education and skill development
    Education unlocks human potential and transforms communities. Initiatives that combine quality learning with vocational training equip children and youth to rise above poverty, secure dignified employment and contribute to society’s progress.
  • Healthcare and sanitation
    Accessible healthcare and sanitation protect both dignity and life. Mobile health units, preventive care and hygiene awareness bring critical services closer to underserved communities, ensuring healthier families and resilient futures.
  • Livelihood enhancement
    Sustainable livelihoods empower individuals with independence and dignity. Skill-building programmes and entrepreneurship opportunities create pathways out of poverty, enabling families to thrive and communities to achieve long-term social and economic stability.
  • Environmental sustainability
    Safeguarding the environment is central to future prosperity. Community-led conservation, water stewardship and sustainable practices inspire people to live in balance with nature, protecting resources for generations to come.
  • Women’s health and empowerment
    When women thrive, communities prosper. Focused interventions in nutrition, healthcare, education and skills give women the tools to lead healthier lives, access opportunities and uplift families and entire communities.
  1. Scalability and innovation

Smart CSR enabled by data and technology drives transparency and measurable outcomes. This systemic approach enables corporates to scale solutions, replicate success and address root causes of social challenges. By aligning innovation with impact, CSR in India is now evolving towards a future ready ecosystem delivering sustainable and verifiable results. 

For example, tech-enabled CSR solutions are transforming impact delivery with AI enhancing education and healthcare while digital financial inclusion fosters equitable and sustainable growth

  1. Impact measurement and transparency

Impact measurement in CSR is evolving through technology with AI enabling precise data collection, real time monitoring and transparent reporting. For business and communities, this integration ensures accountability, drives efficiency and scales sustainable solutions making technology-driven impact assessment integral to purpose led growth in India’s CSR landscape

  1. Emerging trends in CSR and CSR partnerships

Corporate Social Responsibility in India has matured from philanthropy into a strategic tool for community transformation. To remain effective, corporates must align with emerging CSR trends that shape long-term impact:

  • Shift to strategic CSR partnerships – Moving beyond transactional funding towards long-term, systemic collaborations, strengthened by ESG–CSR convergence and transparent sustainability disclosures.
  • Digital CSR – Leveraging e-learning, telehealth and digital skilling to expand reach and inclusion.
  • Geographic expansion – Extending CSR initiatives into Tier 2/3 cities and rural communities for deeper social development.
  • Thematic priorities – Health, women’s empowerment, STEM education, scholarships for girls and skill development as focus areas.
  • Employee volunteering – Embedding purpose and ownership within corporate culture, amplifying community impact.

Enabling strategic CSR impact with Smile

Anchored in its Lifecycle Model, Smile Foundation drives holistic development through 400+ CSR partnerships in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and livelihoods. With over 2 million beneficiaries nationwide, initiatives like Mission Education, Swabhiman, STeP and Health Cannot Wait deliver measurable impact, fostering sustainable growth, empowerment and systemic community transformation across India.

Few of our Key partnerships 

  • Education (STEM & Learning Enhancement)
    Partner:
    Abbott India Limited
    Under the Mission Education programme, Abbott supports STEM education in eight additional schools, benefiting approximately 2,200 students through improved learning environments and digital classrooms. 
  • Education and Digital Inclusion
    Partner:
    WSP
    Collaborated to educate 400 children across Bangalore and Noida via blended learning formats under Mission Education, expanding access to quality education.
  • Scholarships for Girls in Engineering
    Partner: Quantiphi
    Launched an Engineering Scholarship Project for Girls, empowering 22 meritorious, underserved students in computer science and engineering through tuition support and employability training.
  • Skill Development and Livelihoods
    Partner:
    Macleods Pharmaceuticals
    Supported the establishment of two STeP vocational training centres in Mumbai, boosting employability for 280 underprivileged youth, especially in retail and soft skills. 
  • Healthcare and Sanitation
    Partner:
    GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Asia Pvt Ltd
    Through the Smile on Wheels mobile medical units, this CSR collaboration delivers free dental check-ups and oral-health awareness to underserved communities nationwide.

In conclusion, the seven core dimensions of CSR in India must be central when defining future CSR goals. By engaging in credible CSR–NGO partnerships, businesses can demonstrate how responsibility evolves into systemic, long-term community transformation. Strategic collaboration ensures scalability, transparency and measurable results.

Equally important is embracing emerging CSR trends to remain future-ready. By partnering with purpose-driven NGOs such as Smile Foundation, corporates can transcend compliance, creating meaningful impact that drives sustainable growth, strengthens communities and enhances corporate reputation.

Partner to achieve purpose-led progress. Click here: https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/corporate-partnership/

Categories
CSR Education Partners In Change Smile

Storytelling drives child education in villages

Digital tools, slick storytelling formats and gamified content are reshaping what it means to learn in 21st-century India. In classrooms outfitted with smartboards or, more often, in makeshift learning spaces on mobile phones children are no longer passive recipients of knowledge. Teachers, too, are adjusting their roles, while parents navigate new expectations.

Yet for every student swept up in this transformation, many more are being left behind. Patchy internet, device shortages and an education system still tethered to rote learning mean that the promise of immersive, future-ready education remains elusive for millions.

India stands at a pivotal juncture: the digital age has cracked open new possibilities for learning. But unless policymakers, technologists and educators confront the structural inequities that persist, the gap between potential and reality may only deepen.

Child education in India: Is modern learning inclusive?

India’s education landscape is being reimagined. A new emphasis on progressive pedagogy is encouraging schools and parents to move beyond the narrow metrics of academic achievement, toward something more expansive — an education that fosters critical thinking, emotional intelligence, leadership and a sense of self in a fast-changing world.

In theory, this marks a long-overdue shift. But the bigger question looms: who is this transformation really reaching?

Across India’s rural heartlands, where over 1.26 million schools operate, the ambition is palpable. Government schemes from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to Samagra Shiksha and PM e‑Vidya promise inclusive classrooms, digital tools, library upgrades and skills for a future economy. The official narrative speaks of equity, access and innovation.

But the lived reality is more uneven. Patchy infrastructure, overstretched teachers and socio-economic barriers continue to hold back millions of children especially girls, first-generation learners, and those in remote areas. While some students absorb coding through tablets, others still struggle to access textbooks or electricity.

The gap isn’t just digital. It’s systemic.

Bridging it will require calls for deeper alignment between governments, corporate players and community-led organisations to ensure that modern education doesn’t just remain an urban privilege, but becomes a shared national asset. One where every child, regardless of geography or background, has a real shot at learning in a way that is inclusive, holistic and genuinely transformative.

The ground reality 

A key hurdle in rural education today lies not in ambition, but in infrastructure. According to recent reports, nearly 60% of government schools in rural India lack functional internet connectivity. One in three schools is still without even the most basic digital tools such as projectors or smart boards making it nearly impossible for modern teaching methods to take root. In these classrooms, the promise of digital learning remains just a promise, and not yet a reality.

Modern learning in rural schools

Children in rural India remain at a stark disadvantage that carries profound implications for the country’s future. By 2027, an estimated 69 million new jobs are expected to emerge globally. Without urgent and sustained intervention, a generation of children from less privileged communities risks being shut out of this evolving opportunity landscape.

Bridging this divide requires more than textbooks and classrooms. It calls for an education system that nurtures cognitive agility, emotional resilience and practical life skills — tools as essential as literacy in navigating the future. This is where modern educational tools come in, not as luxuries, but as vital instruments towards building a safer, more inclusive future for every child.

  1. Storytelling 

This has always been central to how children learn and remember. A 21st century classroom reimages this age-old method through digital storytelling – using videos, interactive flip books and gamified storytelling to explain complex concepts in simple and relatable ways

Research highlights that digital storytelling not only sparks creativity but also improves retention, motivation and deeper lesson engagement. For example, a story based history lesson enables children to “live through” events while a narrative driven science experiment can abstract concepts vividly. 

  1. Read-alouds and interactive content 

Read-aloud sessions were seen as a cornerstone of early child education which today have evolved into interactive digital formats. Today, children can listen to stories brought alive by AI-powered voices or choose how a character’s journey unfolds through interactive polls and clickable story paths. 

In India, where language diversity is vast, digital read-aloud tools also provide multilingual access, ensuring rural and urban children alike can learn in their mother tongue. This aligns with findings from the World Economic Forum (2024), which stresses rekindling curiosity through play-based and interactive tools that allow children to ask, explore and discover.

  1. Flip books and visual tools 

Traditional flip books and comics are being reinvested as microlearning modules. Imagine a child in a rural school accessing a digital flip book that demonstrates each step of a science experiment or a visual timeline that makes Indian history easy to understand and remember. 

Visual storytelling enables children to learn at their own pace, bridging the comprehension gap often caused by rigid textbook teaching. Child education in India, where students frequently encounter first-generation learning barriers, therefore, tools such as flip books can enhance discovery and quick grasping. 

  1. Digital tools and personalised leaning

The most transformative shift comes from personalised learning which is supported by digital platforms. Research states that adaptive learning does not promise equality in output but ensures adequacy that every child gains the competencies necessary to thrive, regardless of starting point. 

  • 75% of students feel more engaged in a personalised learning environment compared to just 30% in traditional ones.
  •  Personalised content recommendations boosted engagement by 60%
  1. Teachers driving change

Teachers equipped with the modern pedagogical skills, digital tools and activity based methods establish a closer relationship with their students. With constant classroom engagements the learning outcomes also boots, but also empowers teachers with confidence, adaptability and professional growth creating a strong future ready education ecosystem in India

 Learning with Smile

Child education in India faces persistent challenges of inequity, digital divides and limited access to quality learning environments. Smile Foundation, through its Mission Education programme is working to transform this landscape by aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 and global priorities such as Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), tech enabled learning and lifelong education. 

With over 1,20,00 children across 27 states, the foundation adopts a four-pronged approach-

  • Child centric
  • Teacher centric
  • Enabling learning environment
  • Community engagement 

To ensure that children not only access education but also benefit from holistic development.

Our mission is to build inclusive, engaging and technology‑enabled classrooms that nurture holistic learning. Through impact‑driven corporate partnerships, we believe child education in India can be reimagined, delivering opportunities that go far beyond textbooks, empowering every child to learn, grow and thrive.

Partner with Smile Foundation to co-create scalable and sustainable education models that empower every child to learn, thrive and be successful.

Sources 

Innovative Education Methods: Transforming Teaching and Learning

https://ace.edu/blog/innovative-education-methods-transforming-teaching-and-learning

Digital Storytelling: A Powerful Technology Tool for the 21st Century Classroom

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249901075_Digital_Storytelling_A_Powerful_Technology_Tool_for_the_21st_Century_Classroom

Rural Education – Integral to India’s progress

https://www.ibef.org/blogs/rural-education-integral-to-india-s-progress

Annual Status of Education Report 2024

Bringing back curiosity: How digital tools can help us rethink education

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/06/bringing-back-curiosity-how-we-can-use-digital-tools-to-rethink-education
Categories
CSR

CSR initiatives help increase employability of the youth

This year’s Union Budget unveiled a new initiative: over the next five years, internships at 500 leading companies will be offered to 10 million youth, with each receiving ₹5,000 monthly and an additional one-time ₹6,000 assistance. Companies will contribute to training costs and cover 10% of intern allowances using their CSR funds—a strategy highlighted by The Times of India.

Governments have long focused on youth employment and skilling—and now CSR initiatives are playing a pivotal role in preparing young Indians for the workforce.

What Is CSR?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business model where companies embed social, environmental, and ethical priorities into operations and decision-making. It includes eco-friendly practices, fair work policies, community engagement, and philanthropy.

In India, CSR is legally mandated under the Companies Act, 2013 (effective April 2014). Corporates with certain financial thresholds (net worth ₹500 crore+, turnover ₹1,000 crore+, or profit ₹5 crore+) must spend at least 2% of their average net profits on CSR activities.

The Youth Employability Challenge

By 2024, India’s youth population is projected at 420 million (29% of the nation). By 2047, the working-age population (15–64) will reach 1.1 billion. Despite this, UNICEF and the Education Commission report over 50% of youth lacking necessary education and skills. According to the India Skills Report 2021, nearly half of graduates are deemed unemployable. The unemployment rate also tripled between 2012 (2.1%) and 2018 (6.1%).

Why Skill Gaps Persist

Dr. Prahalathan KK of Chennai-based nonprofit Bhumi explains: students from top-tier institutions typically have no difficulty finding work, but those in lesser-known colleges often lack employable skills. Philanthropy and CSR can help these vulnerable students gain skills and experience, closing the opportunity gap.

Government Skilling Programmes

  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) offers industry-relevant vocational training.
  • Skill India Mission, launched in 2015, strengthens skilling infrastructure to meet market demands.

CSR’s Role in Enhancing Employability

CSR programmes align corporate resources with skill needs. For example, Bhumi collaborates with government schools to improve learning, provide scholarships, and deliver vocational training in smaller towns. Such initiatives boost employability in Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 areas.

Some notable corporate CSR programmes include:

  • Tata STRIVE: Offers domain and soft-skills training to underprivileged youth for employment or entrepreneurship.
  • Infosys Springboard: Aims to train over 10 million individuals in digital literacy by 2025, through courses in collaboration with Coursera and Harvard Business Publishing.

CSR Beyond Monetary Support

CSR isn’t limited to funding. Tarun Mahadevan of Advantage Foods highlights non-monetary contributions: his culinary training helps youth—including those with special needs—develop practical vocational skills. Popcause, led by two SPASTN-trained students, shows how skill-focused CSR can transform lives.

NGO-Led Youth Upskilling

The Smile Foundation promotes STEM and experiential learning to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving—skills essential for future-ready youth.

Project Manzil in Rajasthan:

  • Focuses on counselling and vocational skills for 90,000+ girls.
  • Training provided in areas such as IT, healthcare, beauty, retail, agriculture, tourism, and more.
  • Currently reaching 44,000+ girls in grades 9–12 across six districts.

Categories
CSR

CSR Initiatives in Tech Leading Women Empowerment

India’s IT sector is advancing rapidly, with its revenue projected to exceed $300 billion by 2030. Technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and digital transactions are now part of daily life—and the industry’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes have the potential to drive substantial social impact, especially for underserved women.

By promoting digital access, skill development, and financial literacy, tech-driven CSR initiatives can support women’s economic empowerment and help bridge the digital gender divide.

CSR in the Tech Sector: A Strategic Shift

Since the Companies Act of 2013 made CSR mandatory, companies meeting specific financial thresholds are required to allocate at least 2% of their average net profits to CSR activities. This legal mandate has led many IT companies to invest in programmes focused on women’s empowerment, inclusive growth, and workforce diversity.

Leading firms such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro have launched initiatives aimed at enhancing career readiness and re-entry support for women. For example, TCS’s Rebegin programme supports women returning to the workforce, promoting diversity and reducing the gender gap in tech roles.

Key Focus Areas for Tech CSR Empowerment

Digital Education for Girls

Access to digital education can transform the lives of young girls in underserved areas. Tech companies can partner with NGOs and schools to provide STEM scholarships, host coding workshops, and offer learning apps to prepare girls for careers in science and technology.

Smile Foundation’s Mission Education initiative supports quality education for children from disadvantaged communities. In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the programme integrates STEM learning into school curricula. Additionally, scholarships for girls pursuing engineering ensure that financial challenges do not hold them back from achieving their academic and career aspirations.

Skilling Women Entrepreneurs in Digital Tools

Many women entrepreneurs face barriers in leveraging digital platforms for business growth. CSR efforts in tech can bridge this gap through training in e-commerce, social media marketing, and data analytics. These skills are vital for improving business operations and expanding reach, especially in rural areas.

Promoting Digital Financial Literacy

CSR projects can also improve digital financial literacy among underserved women by teaching them how to manage money using online banking, budgeting tools, and mobile wallets. Financial knowledge empowers women to make informed decisions and gain greater control over their personal and family finances.

Ensuring Accessible Technology

Tech companies should prioritise inclusive product design, ensuring that digital tools and platforms are accessible to all women, including those with disabilities. This includes assistive devices, adaptive software, and accessible web interfaces to remove barriers to digital access.

A Scalable Model for Women Empowerment

Through focused CSR action, IT companies have the tools to advance gender equality and economic inclusion. These efforts support long-term development and self-reliance.

Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme is an example of such an effort. It empowers women across eight states with digital literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and financial education. In 2023 alone, over 150,000 women were trained, helping them integrate technology into small businesses and improve livelihoods.

By supporting skilling, financial independence, and digital access, technology-driven CSR programmes are transforming the lives of women and girls across India. The IT sector’s contribution is not only strengthening communities but also building a more equitable and empowered workforce for the future.

Categories
Livelihood

CSR in India for Skill Development of Youth

Why Skill Development Matters in India

Every year, more than 12 million young people enter India’s job market, yet employment rates struggle to keep pace. Urban communities, particularly those affected by the pandemic, are seeing a rise in educated unemployment—a trend echoed in recent budget discussions.

Skill development is essential to help young Indians secure meaningful work. Yet, most lack access to vocational training, which is critical for job readiness in today’s economy.

India’s education system is evolving, but a large gap remains between academic learning and the practical skills needed for employment. Focusing on targeted skill development is key to bridging this divide and supporting youth success.

CSR’s Role in Skill-Based Socio-Economic Growth

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight youth empowerment as a key driver of social change. In India, 62% of the population is of working age, and over 54% is under 25, presenting a unique opportunity.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India can support this opportunity by collaborating with NGOs and schools to offer mentorship, technical resources, scholarships, and vocational training, especially in underserved regions. Such initiatives help build a stronger foundation for youth employability.

Government-Led Skill Initiatives

India’s government has launched several major programs to boost skill education:

  • Skill India (National Skills Development Mission), launched in July 2015.
  • Goal: Train 30 crore individuals by 2022.
  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has already trained nearly 10 million youth.

These efforts aim to create a skilled, future-ready workforce aligned with industry needs.

How CSR Enhances Skill Development

Corporate CSR programs are well-positioned to enhance India’s vocational training efforts. With access to infrastructure, technology, and experts, companies can significantly scale government initiatives.

Investing in skill development through CSR not only supports ethical objectives but also delivers business benefits like improved productivity, lower recruitment costs, and a sustainable talent pipeline.

Moreover, Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013 includes skill development as a core CSR activity, reinforcing its importance.

Actionable Steps for Corporate CSR Programs

To maximize impact, CSR skill initiatives should:

  • Partner with government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and training centres.
  • Conduct baseline surveys to identify local skill gaps and needs.
  • Develop tailored programs via NGO collaboration.
  • Integrate skilling into corporate supply chains.
  • Introduce future-focused training in areas like digital tools, climate resilience, and renewable energy.
  • Establish Centers of Excellence (CoE) to train trainers and promote skill-sharing.
  • Upgrade rural training infrastructure using CSR funds.
  • Support MSMEs by building their workforce capacity.
  • Revive traditional skills among rural artisans while connecting them to new markets.

The Impact and Responsibility of Skill-Based CSR

  • Inclusivity: Ensure programs cater to women, people with disabilities, and underserved communities.
  • Nation-Building: Skill training through CSR transforms young talent into India’s growth engine.
  • Sustainable Change: Long-term skilling initiatives lay the groundwork for societal and economic advancement.

Smile Foundation: Partnering for Skill-Led Change

At Smile Foundation, we view youth as India’s greatest asset. Guided by strategic CSR engagement, we can unlock this potential.

Our STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) delivers vocational training to underserved youth. With over 90,000 learners trained and 56,500 job placements across seven states, our work demonstrates meaningful results.

We’re actively seeking CSR partnerships to expand our reach and deepen our impact.

📧 Partner with us at: cp@smilefoundationindia.org

Together, we can build a future-ready workforce and a stronger, more inclusive India.

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