Mandatory provisions of CSR under section 135 of the Companies act, 2013 became effective from 01.04.2014.

The importance of inclusive growth is widely recognized as an essential part of India's quest for development. It reiterates our firm commitment to include those sections of the society in the growth process, which had hitherto remained excluded from the mainstream of development. In line with this national endeavor, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was conceived as an instrument for integrating social, environmental and human development concerns in the entire value chain of corporate business. Ministry of Corporate Affairs had issued 'Voluntary Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility, 2009' as a first step towards mainstreaming the concept of Business Responsibilities. This was further refined subsequently, as 'National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business, 2011'.

The National Voluntary Guidelines (NVGs) on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business released by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) in July 2011, is essentially a set of nine principles that offer Indian businesses an understanding and approach to inculcate responsible business conduct. However, taking into account the national and international developments in the arena of sustainable business since 2011, the NVGs have been updated and released as ‘National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct’ (NGRBC) in March 2019 to reveal alignments with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights (UNGPs), UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Agreement on Climate change etc. The NGRBC provides a framework for the companies to grow in an inclusive and sustainable manner while addressing the concerns of stakeholders.

These guidelines urge businesses to actualize the principles in letter and spirit. These principles are:

 Businesses should conduct and govern themselves with integrity in a manner that is Ethical, Transparent and Accountable

 Businesses should provide goods and services in a manner that is sustainable and safe

 Businesses should respect and promote the well-being of all employees, including those in their value chains

 Businesses should respect the interests of and be responsive to all their stakeholders

 Businesses should respect and promote human rights

 Businesses should respect and make efforts to protect and restore the environment

 Businesses, when engaging in influencing public and regulatory policy, should do so in a manner that is responsible and transparent

 Businesses should promote inclusive growth and equitable development

 Businesses should engage with and provide value to their consumers in a responsible manner

The 21st Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance is one of the prime movers for bringing the CSR provisions within the statute. It was observed by the Standing Committee, that annual statutory disclosures on CSR required to be made by the companies under the Act would be a sufficient check on non-compliance. Section 135(4) of the Companies Act 2013 mandates every company qualifying under Section 135(1) to make a statutory disclosure of CSR in its Annual Report of the Board. Rule 8 of the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy), Rules, 2014 prescribes the format in which such disclosure is to be made.