Corporate Social Responsibility
CSR Policy Formulation & Advisory
Drafting and review of CSR policies covering governance, eligible activities, project approval, implementation, oversight and reporting.
- Estimate Cost
- ₹10,000 – ₹40,000
- Typical duration
- 7 days
Service overview
A service to create or update a company's CSR policy so that it reflects the legal framework and how the company will actually select, approve, implement and report on its CSR projects.
Who needs it? / When is it needed?
Companies newly becoming subject to CSR, companies changing their CSR strategy or businesses with outdated policies.
The service is useful before board approval of a new or revised policy.
What to expect from the WCP Professionals
WCP professionals would understand the company's spending model, review the existing policy and create practical governance and implementation rules.
How the work would proceed:
- WCP professionals would review the current policy, applicable CSR requirements and the company's actual approval and monitoring practices
- They would draft clear eligibility, selection, implementation, oversight and reporting provisions, then identify the internal owner for each step
- Before the policy is adopted, the company should check that the proposed process is workable for its finance and programme teams
Key deliverables
- CSR policy
- Governance matrix
- Project-approval process
- Annual review framework
Standard turnaround time
5–10 working days.
Timing depends on receiving the existing policy, board structure and planned initiatives.
Government fees, timelines & key outcomes
Government fees: No government fee for drafting the policy.
Key outcomes: An approved policy aligned with the company's CSR obligations and operating model.
Forms & filings involved
No MCA form is filed for the policy itself.
The board-approved policy, the composition of the CSR committee and the projects approved by the board must be displayed on the company's website (Rule 9 of the CSR Rules), and the policy's salient features are reported in the annual report on CSR.
Documents required
- Existing CSR policy
- Board structure
- Prior CSR spend
- Planned initiatives
What we need from you
Management's preferred CSR themes and practical budget constraints.
Important conditions
A CSR policy should reflect the legal framework and the company's actual capacity to implement it.
Eligibility and reporting obligations need to be checked against the current CSR framework.
Additional information
Section 135 and the CSR Rules, 2014 are read with Schedule VII, which lists the eligible activities, including:
- Eradicating hunger and poverty, and promoting healthcare
- Promoting education and gender equality
- Environmental sustainability
- Protection of national heritage, art and culture
- Support for armed forces veterans and their dependants
- Training to promote sports
- Contributions to specified national funds
- Rural development and slum-area development
Activities in the normal course of business, those only for employees, and political contributions do not qualify.
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
Is a CSR policy mandatory?
Yes, for every company covered by Section 135. It must be approved by the board and displayed on the company's website.
What should a CSR policy contain?
The eligible activities chosen, the approval and implementation process, monitoring and reporting arrangements, and how ongoing projects and unspent amounts will be handled.
Which activities do not count as CSR?
Activities in the normal course of business, activities only for employees and their families, political contributions, and sponsorships for marketing benefit.
How often should the CSR policy be updated?
Whenever the CSR Rules change or the company's CSR approach changes, and at least once a year as part of the board's review.