NCCSR 2025: Leveraging CSR Excellence for Tribal Development

Context and Overview

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) will host the 2nd National Conference and Exhibition on Corporate Social Responsibility (NCCSR 2025) on 6–7 October 2025 in New Delhi. The event is organized by IICA’s School of Business Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of DoNER, and Department of Public Enterprises.

• Theme: “Leveraging CSR Excellence for Tribal Development”

• Objective: To align corporate strategies, government initiatives, and indigenous knowledge for inclusive, tribal-centred, and sustainable growth.

• Significance: Provides a national platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and recognition of innovative CSR practices that can be scaled nationwide.

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Key Dignitaries and Participation

The event will be graced by:

• Union Ministers & Secretaries from Corporate Affairs, Tribal Affairs, DoNER, and Department of Public Enterprises

• Director General & CEO of IICA

• UN Resident Coordinator for India and other CSR experts

• Participation of leading organisations like TRIFED, HCL Foundation, UNICEF, IOCL, GAIL, SPARK MINDA, Partners In Change, AMRITA Vishwa Vidyapeetham, among others

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Objectives and Activities

1. Foster Cross-Sectoral Collaboration:

   • Synergize government initiatives, corporate CSR programs, and tribal/local knowledge for inclusive development.

2. Showcase Innovative CSR Models:

   • Highlight best practices in tribal education, livelihood, health, environment, and skill development.

3. Engagement Platforms:

   • Six high-level expert panel discussions

   • Social Innovation Lab

   • Tribal cultural showcase

   • Exhibition of 30–35 CSR stalls

4. Publication:

   • Release of the National Compendium on CSR Best Practices, recognizing projects with transformative social impact.

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Policy and Governance Relevance

• GS Paper 2 – Governance & Social Justice:

  • CSR framework under the Companies Act, 2013, emphasizing Section 135 for mandatory CSR spending.

  • Focus on tribal welfare and inclusion, supporting initiatives under Tribal Sub-Plan, Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, and DoNER Ministry programs.

  • Promotes Gandhian ideals of trusteeship and responsible business, aligning business goals with social justice and equity.

• GS Paper 3 – Economy & Sustainable Development:

  • Encourages private sector participation in sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly:

    • SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production).

  • Demonstrates public-private partnership models in achieving inclusive growth.

  • Promotes tribal skill development, entrepreneurship, and livelihood enhancement, supporting economic self-reliance.

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Strategic and Social Significance

• Encourages scaling successful CSR initiatives to national and tribal development programs.

• Strengthens India’s inclusive growth agenda, particularly in North-East, tribal belts, and underdeveloped regions.

• Aligns CSR with national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, creating synergies between social responsibility and national development goals.

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Conclusion

NCCSR 2025 exemplifies how corporate social responsibility can be a catalyst for tribal development and inclusive growth. By bringing together government, corporate, and civil society stakeholders, the conference emphasizes strategic CSR as a tool for social transformation, skill development, and sustainable economic empowerment of tribal communities. For UPSC aspirants, it is a key example of:

• Public-private partnerships in governance

• CSR implementation for social equity

• Alignment of corporate action with SDGs and national development goals