Corporate Social Responsibility
CSR Budgeting & Fund Allocation
Planning and monitoring of CSR budgets, project-wise allocations, utilisation tracking and action on unspent amounts, aligned to your CSR policy.
- Estimate Cost
- ₹10,000 – ₹50,000
- Typical duration
- 5 days
Service overview
A planning service for companies deciding how to allocate and monitor their CSR spend. The work links the company's CSR obligations to project allocations and the records needed for board and annual reporting.
Who needs it? / When is it needed?
CSR-eligible companies preparing annual or multi-year budgets.
The service is useful when preparing the annual CSR budget and getting ready for board approval.
What to expect from the WCP Professionals
WCP professionals would work from the approved CSR policy and expected statutory spend, map proposed projects and flag allocation or utilisation issues.
How the work would proceed:
- WCP professionals would work from the company's financial figures and CSR policy to establish the planning baseline, then compare proposed projects and their budgets
- They would create a project-wise allocation and utilisation tracker, identify amounts requiring further board or finance action and flag where unspent-amount treatment needs legal/accounting review
- The plan should be updated when spending or project timelines change
Key deliverables
- CSR budget
- Project-wise allocation
- Utilisation tracker
- Unspent-amount action note
Draft outputs should be reconciled with the finance team's figures before they are finalised.
Standard turnaround time
3–7 working days for a standard annual budget.
Timing depends on receiving final financial and programme data from different teams and implementing partners.
Government fees, timelines & key outcomes
No government fee for budgeting.
How unspent amounts are handled:
- Ongoing projects: transfer to an Unspent CSR Account within 30 days of the year end and spend within three years
- Other unspent amounts: transfer to a Schedule VII fund, such as the PM CARES Fund, within six months
- Missing either step: a penalty of twice the amount or ₹1 crore, whichever is less
Key outcomes: a defensible, eligible allocation plan.
Forms & filings involved
- Board resolution approving the annual action plan and budget
- Form CSR-2 reporting the year's spend, ongoing projects and unspent amounts
- Annual report on CSR in the board's report
Documents required
- Prior-year CSR spend
- Board-approved policy
- Project proposals
- Expected financials
What we need from you
Business projections and realistic project budgets.
Management should confirm which projects were approved and whether any amount remains unspent or unutilised.
Important conditions
CSR budgets should not be fixed without checking whether the proposed activities qualify under the applicable framework.
Any conclusion about unspent amounts should be checked against the applicable year and rules.
Additional information
CSR contributions should be linked to eligible activities and the company's approved CSR framework.
The estimated cost covers indicative professional fees only. Government fees, stamp duty and taxes are payable at actuals.
How it works
- 1. Raise a service enquiry describing your requirement.
- 2. A Relationship Manager reviews it and opens it for bidding.
- 3. Pay into escrow and assign the professional you select.
- 4. Track progress to completion, then accept and release payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CSR annual action plan?
A board-approved plan, recommended by the CSR committee, listing projects, budgets, timelines, implementation modalities and monitoring for the year.
Can administrative costs be paid from the CSR budget?
Yes, up to 5% of the year's total CSR expenditure.
What is an ongoing CSR project?
A multi-year project of up to three years, excluding the year it starts, approved by the board with year-wise allocation.
Can excess CSR spend be adjusted later?
Yes, it can be set off against the obligation of up to the next three financial years by board resolution.