CSR Guidelines for
NGOs & Companies in India
Corporate Social Responsibility in India is governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014. We help companies spend compliantly and help NGOs become eligible to receive CSR funds — including through the new route to subscribe to Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments on the Social Stock Exchange.
A new CSR route: ZCZP instruments on the Social Stock Exchange
Through notifications G.S.R. 415(E) and G.S.R. 416(E), the Ministry of Corporate Affairs amended the CSR Rules and inserted a new entry — item (xiii) in Schedule VII — permitting “subscription to Zero Coupon Zero Principal instruments on a Social Stock Exchange.” Companies can now treat money used to subscribe to ZCZP instruments issued by eligible, SSE-registered non-profits as qualifying CSR expenditure.
Capped allocation
Up to 10% of a company’s annual CSR obligation may be deployed through SSE instruments under the amended norms.
No impact-assessment burden
Projects funded via ZCZP instruments are exempt from the separate CSR impact-assessment requirement, since SSE disclosure already applies.
Defined project window
The issuing NPO must complete the project within three succeeding financial years from the date the instrument is issued.
Unspent funds
Any amount unspent after the instrument’s listing ends must be transferred to a Schedule VII fund, with a compliance report filed to SEBI.
Who can issue
Only non-profits registered on a SEBI-recognised Social Stock Exchange segment can raise CSR money this way — making SSE registration directly fundable.
Why it matters
It links the CSR mandate to the SSE for the first time, giving credible NPOs a direct channel to corporate funding under a single disclosure regime.
Based on MCA notifications G.S.R. 415(E) and G.S.R. 416(E) dated 27 May 2026. Rules continue to evolve — confirm the current position with your advisor before relying on it.
Which companies must spend on CSR
Section 135 applies to any company that, in the immediately preceding financial year, meets any one of these thresholds. Such a company must spend at least 2% of its average net profits of the preceding three financial years (computed under Section 198) on CSR.
₹500 crore +
Net worth of ₹500 crore or more.
₹1,000 crore +
Turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more.
₹5 crore +
Net profit of ₹5 crore or more.
A CSR Committee of the Board oversees the policy and spend; companies with a CSR obligation below ₹50 lakh may discharge this function through the Board itself. Companies with a CSR obligation of ₹10 crore or more must carry out an independent impact assessment of projects of ₹1 crore or more — except where funded through ZCZP instruments, as above.
Where CSR money can go — Schedule VII
CSR funds may only be applied to activities listed in Schedule VII of the Companies Act. Common categories include:
How NGOs become eligible to receive CSR funds
Since 1 April 2021, a company can only route CSR through an implementing agency that is registered with the MCA. To qualify, an NGO typically needs:
Form CSR-1
Registration with the MCA to obtain a CSR Registration Number — mandatory to receive CSR funds as an implementing agency.
12A & 80G
Valid income-tax registrations under 12A (exemption) and 80G (donor deduction), plus an established three-year track record.
SSE registration
Registering as an NPO on the Social Stock Exchange now lets you issue ZCZP instruments that companies can fund directly as CSR.
How SSE4NGO helps
For NGOs
We prepare your CSR-1 filing, confirm 12A/80G standing, and get you SSE-registered and disclosure-ready — so you can issue ZCZP instruments and attract CSR funding with credible governance and impact reporting.
For companies
We help you identify eligible SSE-registered NPOs, structure CSR spend through compliant ZCZP subscriptions within the permitted limit, and keep documentation aligned to Schedule VII and SEBI reporting.