This session will feature the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s leading industry associations. Drawing on perspectives from policy, practice, and real-world case studies, CII will share insights into how India’s CSR framework has transformed corporate behavior and corporate philanthropy. The session will also include a facilitated dialogue to deepen discussion and explore practical implications.
Since the introduction of Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 (enforced in 2014), qualifying companies in India have been mandated to allocate 2% of their average net profits to CSR activities. This has embedded CSR into corporate strategy and governance, accelerating a shift from traditional donations to more strategic social investment. Annual CSR spending in India now reaches approximately USD 3–4 billion.
CII represents around 9,000 direct members and a broader network of over 300,000 companies. As a platform connecting business, government, and civil society, it plays a central role in enabling CSR implementation and cross-sector collaboration.
Why Attend
India’s mandatory CSR regime offers a unique model for mobilizing corporate capital toward social impact at scale. This session provides practical insights for funders and decision-makers seeking more strategic approaches to philanthropy and impact.
Who Should Attend
Corporate, financial institution, and philanthropy professionals who deploy capital for social impact, and are interested in CSR, corporate philanthropy, and collaborative approaches to addressing social challenges in India.
Key Takeaways
-
- How India’s CSR mandate has reshaped corporate strategy and governance
- The shift from traditional giving to strategic social investment
- Practical insights on CSR implementation and cross-sector collaboration from CII
Speaker
Seema Arora (Deputy Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry) – Ms. Arora has led the establishment of the sustainable development domain at CII and has over 30 years of experience advancing sustainability across Indian industry. She has been instrumental in building business cases for corporate climate action, CSR, and social investment, as well as in shaping policy and driving collaborative initiatives between industry and government. She has also been involved in launching and incubating alliances such as the CII Climate Action Charter and the India Plastics Pact.
Moderator
Nalin Advani (Vice President, Specially Appointed Professor, Shizenkan University) – Nalin has held leadership and investor roles at global technology companies such as WindRiver, eSOL, Barco, and GreyOrange, with two successful IPOs in his portfolio. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at BIPROGY Inc., listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Born and raised in Yokohama, Japan, he holds a Master’s degree from UCLA Anderson School of Management and an MBA from the National University of Singapore. Beyond his professional career, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Yokohama Junior Chamber and was its 50th President in 2001. He is a founding charter member of TiE Japan, serves as Vice Chairman of the Yokohama India Centre, and is a practicing Sogetsu Ikebana artist.
