The annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spend of India Inc is likely to touch ₹1.2 lakh crore by 2035, making it the largest source of domestic development funding, outstripping philanthropy and individual giving, the latest edition of “dus spoke India Inc” CSR Review by Give Grants says. Indian companies had spent ₹34,909 crore to fulfil their CSR obligations in FY24, it notes.

However, the money flow may not be even across states as CSR funding follows industrial concentration, not development needs, it notes. “States with higher GDP and stronger industrial presence, like Maharashtra (15%), Karnataka (9%), Gujarat (8%), and Delhi (5%), receive the largest share of CSR funds. Low-income states, including much of the North East, Bihar (less than 1%), and Uttar Pradesh (around 4%), are left underfunded despite high poverty and weak SDG outcomes, simply because fewer companies operate there”, the report points out.

It also observes that the area of investments remains heavily concentrated in core themes: education (34%), health (27%), skilling (12%), climate (10%), rural development (8%), and others (7%). “Funding for emerging priorities or early-stage innovation is scarce, with 73% of nonprofits reporting little or no support for pilots or experimental initiatives," it says.

Looking ahead, the report notes that India’s top 200 companies — responsible for over 50% of total CSR spend — will play a defining role in shaping CSR’s next chapter. With CSR contributing just 1-2% of what the government spends on social services, the sector’s greatest opportunity lies in supporting innovation and pilots that others can scale, positioning CSR as an impact multiplier rather than just an impact creator, it suggests.

“CSR in India has evolved remarkably over the past decade. But the next phase will be about bold choices, directing funds where they are needed most, taking risks to innovate, and working together across sectors to drive large-scale change. dus spoke India Inc 2025 lays out both our achievements and our unfinished agenda," Sumit Tayal, CEO, Give Grants, said.

The report brings together perspectives from 47 CSR leaders and 78 nonprofit heads, alongside a detailed analysis of CSR data from India’s top 200 companies.

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Over the last 20 years, Give, which enables corporates, foundations, and HNIs to deliver maximum social impact through Give Grants, has partnered with leading companies — including India’s largest listed companies, Fortune 500 MNCs with a strong India presence, and high growth startups — to drive corporate philanthropic giving in India.