In an era where sustainability is no longer a buzzword but a boardroom imperative, India&#8217;s regulatory blitz against greenwashing marks a pivotal shift towards genuine accountability. As we navigate the complexities of climate change and ethical governance, the Enhanced Sustainability Reporting (ESR) mandates, rolled out in 2024 and fortified through 2025, stand as a beacon of progress.



Yet, they also expose the stark reality: nearly 80% of green claims in the Indian market are misleading or unsubstantiated, eroding consumer trust to a dismal 29%. It&#8217;s high time corporate India heeds this warning—greenwashing isn&#8217;t just bad PR; it&#8217;s a betrayal of stakeholders that could torpedo long-term value.



Greenwashing, the insidious art of inflating environmental credentials to dupe investors and consumers, has long plagued global markets. In India, it&#8217;s particularly rampant in high-impact sectors like energy, manufacturing, and fashion, where vague promises of &#8220;eco-friendly&#8221; practices often mask business-as-usual pollution. The fallout? Not only does it undermine genuine sustainability efforts, but it also distorts market competition, favoring slick marketers over true innovators.



Enter the government&#8217;s decisive intervention: starting October 2024, every environmental claim must be backed by verifiable documentation and third-party certification. Mandating digital tools like QR codes linking to audited evidence is a masterstroke—it democratizes transparency, empowering consumers to scan and scrutinize in seconds. This isn&#8217;t overregulation; it&#8217;s smart governance that aligns corporate narratives with verifiable actions.



The teeth in these rules come from the penalties, which are refreshingly severe. Repeat offenders face fines up to ₹5 million (about USD 60,000) and even criminal prosecution. Such measures send a clear message: sustainability isn&#8217;t optional; it&#8217;s enforceable.



Coupled with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)&#8217;s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) framework, which demands detailed ESG disclosures from top listed companies, these steps are reshaping corporate governance. Non-compliance doesn&#8217;t just invite fines—it risks reputational carnage and investor flight. In a market where ESG funds are surging, companies ignoring this could find themselves sidelined by discerning global capital.



But enforcement is only as good as its oversight. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance&#8217;s push for a dedicated ESG body with forensic powers is spot-on. By embedding ESG into directors&#8217; fiduciary duties, it ensures that sustainability isn&#8217;t siloed in CSR reports but woven into core strategy.



Imagine auditors with the tools to dissect claims, much like forensic accountants probe financial fraud—this could be the game-changer India needs to lead in the global green economy.Of course, challenges remain. Smaller firms might struggle with compliance costs, and the risk of overzealous enforcement could stifle innovation. Policymakers must balance rigor with support, perhaps through subsidies for certifications or streamlined digital platforms. Ultimately, though, these reforms are a net positive. They compel businesses to walk the talk, fostering a culture where ESG compliance drives competitive advantage, not just checkboxes.



India&#8217;s ESR crackdown isn&#8217;t mere regulatory muscle-flexing; it&#8217;s a strategic pivot towards a resilient, trustworthy economy. For corporate leaders, the choice is clear: embrace authentic sustainability or face the consequences. In the end, true green progress will benefit not just the planet, but the bottom line too.

India&#8217;s Bold Crackdown on Greenwashing: A Wake-Up Call for Corporate India

Robust waste management techniques coupled with innovation for eco-friendly alternatives will surely orchestrate a sustainable future.



Concurrent with technological innovation, legal action is critical for sustainable development. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 are playing a pivotal role in creating more accountability of producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs) of goods in the end-of-life of their plastic products. 



To this end, the “Extended Producer Responsibility” framework prescribes yearly targets to different classes of PIBOs, to ensure that they are focussing on recycling and reusing plastic. 



&nbsp; Robust waste management techniques coupled with innovation for eco-friendly alternatives will surely orchestrate a sustainable future. 



On the other hand, Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) ESG disclosure and transparency is becoming the new normal for businesses in India. 



By reporting their environmental impact, social initiatives, and governance practices, organizations are fostering trust, accountability, and informed decision-making among investors, consumers, and stakeholders.



Saurav Kumar, Partner, INDUSLAW

Legal action critical for sustainable development: Induslaw&#8217;s Saurav Kumar

Our environment, be it in India or across the globe needs our unwavering attention.



As the world celebrates the 50th World Environment Day with ‘beat plastic pollution’ as the focus, the kind of impact it should have had in 50 years on issues like wildlife, biodiversity, forests and water conservation is clearly missing. Be it plastic pollution, loss of vegetation and biodiversity, air and water pollution, climate change, perishing wildlife, there are so many critical environmental issues that a single day in the year will not suffice. 



Every day needs to be treated as a day for the environment so that we could truly reach a stage where it is a matter of celebration for all of us. Our environment, be it in India or across the globe needs our unwavering attention. 



The governments (states and centres), local authorities, industry owners, citizens, non-governmental organisations – every stakeholder across the globe needs to work in consonance with the other to ensure that we save our environment and this planet. 



If only we succeed, we would have a reason to celebrate World Environment Day. Until then we need to treat it as a serious responsibility which needs to be discharged on a daily basis.



&nbsp; Nawneet Vibhaw, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co

&#8220;Single day not sufficient to address critical environment issues&#8221;

So far, sanction for prosecution has been accorded in 366 cases. Of these, 174 applications for compounding have been made.



About 174 applications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)-related defaults are in the process of compounding, according to the data maintained by the Minsitry of Corporate Affairs.



Earlier, CSR related defaults were compoundable offences. So far, sanction for prosecution has been accorded in 366 cases. &#8220;Of these, 174 applications for compounding have been made and 121 cases have been compounded,&#8221; the data showed. 



Now, the non-compliance of CSR provisions has been converted as a civil wrong with effect from January, 22 2021. 



The penal provision related to violation of CSR provision with respect to CSR expenditure is provided under Section 135 (7) of the Act. As per the existing provision, penalty is prescribed against the company and every officer in default which is determined on the basis of unspent CSR amount of the company. 



The broad framework for CSR has been provided under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, Schedule VII of the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014. The CSR framework is disclosure-based and CSR mandated companies are required to file details of CSR activities annually in the MCA21 registry. 



The government monitors the compliance of CSR provisions through the disclosures made by the companies in the MCA21 portal. 



Whenever any violation of CSR provisions is reported, action against such non-compliant companies is initiated as per provisions of the act after due examination of records and following due process of law.

About 174 applications of CSR-related defaults in process of compounding

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli replied that CSR is a Board-driven process and the Board is empowered to plan, approve, execute and monitor the CSR activities based on the recommendations of its CSR committee.



DMK leader S Kalyanasundaram in the Rajya Sabha asked the government if it plans to utilise the CSR funds of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for the upcoming South Indian Kumbh Mela called as MAHAMAHAM, to be held in 2028.



He also asked if the funds will be utilised for the upgradation of basic civic amenities such as beautification of the areas around the temples, building of dharamshalas for the pilgrims, upgradation of railway stations, bus stands and other public transport and hospitals.



Replying to the written question, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli said Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a Board-driven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan, approve, execute and monitor the CSR activities based on the recommendations of its CSR Committee. 



Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings undertake CSR activities under the heads identified under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 with special focus on Health (Nutrition, Sanitation, and Drinking Water), Education, Skill Development, Rural Development, Women Empowerment, Environment Oriented Initiatives and Care for the Elderly and Differently-abled Persons, he responded.

DMK leader asks if govt plans to use CSR funds of ONGC for upcoming South Indian Kumbh Mela

Mass scale production and supply of the national flag, outreach and amplification efforts and other related activities are eligible CSR activities under this campaign.



Companies can spend their CSR funds for activities related to the &#8216;Har Ghar Tiranga&#8217; campaign, according to the government. 



The campaign is being organised by the government as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring home the national flag and hoist it to mark the 75th year of India&#8217;s independence.



Under the Companies Act, 2013, certain class of profitable companies are required to shell out at least two per cent of their three-year annual average net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. 



In a circular on Tuesday, the corporate affairs ministry said the campaign is aimed to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of people and to promote awareness about the Indian national flag. 



&#8220;Spending of CSR funds for the activities related to this campaign such as mass scale production and supply of the national flag, outreach and amplification efforts and other related activities are eligible CSR activities,&#8221; the circular said. 



The activities are eligible for CSR funds under the provisions of Schedule VII of the Companies Act pertaining to promotion of education relating to culture.



Schedule VII pertains to CSR activities. 



The circular also noted that companies can undertake these activities subject to fulfilling the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 and related circulars/ clarifications issued by the ministry. 



The Companies Act, 2013 is implemented by the ministry.

Govt allows cos to spend CSR funds for &#8216;Har Ghar Tiranga&#8217; campaign

Eminent CSR leaders discussed and reviewed the changes in the CSR Law under the chairmanship of Mr Sumant Chadha and after that came to a consensus that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) had gone a long way in instituting strategic programs to contribute toward causes



Eminent CSR leaders discussed and reviewed the changes in the CSR Law under the chairmanship of Mr Sumant Chadha and after that came to a consensus that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) had gone a long way in instituting strategic programs to contribute toward causes that enable the welfare of the society.



The amendments to the Companies Act, 2013 have defined organisations&#8217; scope, helping strengthen the country socially and economically. Chadha said CSR had played a crucial role in supporting COVID-19 relief initiatives through contributions at multiple levels.



Others who attended included members of the Corporate Affairs Committee, including PK Rustagi, Ranjana Agarwal and Mr Sanjay Khanna, CS Devendra and V Deshpande.



Mr P K Rustagi highlighted in his address that there was a growing need for CSR after the coronavirus hit the world. He talked about the latest amendments in CSR. He said that COVID-19-related activity in the ordinary course of business can now be included as CSR along with the acquisition or creation of a capital asset provided that the company does not own it. He also said that any unspent CSR funds remaining at the end of a financial year should be transferred to an Unspent CSR Account or Transfer to a Schedule VII fund.



The value of a company is determined not only by its profits but also by sustainability, and CSR determines sustainability. Companies should not take CSR as a burden, CS Devendra and V Deshpande highlighted.



In his presentation, Mr Inder Mohan Singh gave a brief background and significant changes under the new CSR regime. He talked about the new CSR definition and said that constitution of the CSR committee has now been made optional. He also spoke about the concept of an ongoing project which is a new concept and was introduced on 22 January 2021.



Mr Sudhakar Saraswatula talked about the nuances and practical applications of CSR law. He said that the philosophy of giving back to society had been an integral part of the Indian culture and ethos, which has also been imbibed in traditional Indian businesses. He further said that the intent of CSR obligations is not merely to generate funds that additional taxes could have achieved and to involve companies to use their innovative ideas and management skills towards social development.



About the handling and implementation of various CSR projects and their impacts from the corporate point of view, Mr Ajay Holani said that the company should believe in integrating socio-economic development interventions within its core strategic business planning through its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Revised CSR law discussed at Webinar

The government has amended rules governing corporate social responsibility (CSR), including decriminalizing non-compliance with CSR provisions, allowing corporates to undertake multi-year projects and making registration compulsory for agencies



The government has amended rules governing corporate social responsibility (CSR), including decriminalizing non-compliance with CSR provisions, allowing corporates to undertake multi-year projects and making registration compulsory for agencies implementing CSR activities on behalf of companies.



Besides, companies have been permitted to set off the excess amount spent under CSR up to three succeeding financial years and they have also been allowed to create or acquire capital assets through CSR in the name of beneficiaries or a public authority or registered trust, among others.



These amended rules called <a href="http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/CSRAmendmentRules_22012021.pdf">The Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2021</a> have come into effect from January 22.



As per the amended rules, non-compliance with CSR provisions has been decriminalized by shifting such offences to penalty regime, while companies having CSR obligation below Rs 50 lakhs have been exempted from constituting a CSR Committee.



Under the Companies Act, 2013 — being implemented by the corporate affairs ministry — certain class of profitable companies are required to shell out at least two per cent of their three-year annual net profit towards CSR activities in a financial year.



To make the CSR framework more transparent, the amended rules specify that agencies implementing CSR projects for companies should get registered with the corporate affairs ministry’s MCA 21 portal and the system will automatically generate a unique CSR registration number.



The registration requirement will be effective from April 1, 2021.



To bring in the best international practices in the field of CSR and capacity building, the amend rules allow international organizations to carry out designing, monitoring and evaluation of the CSR projects or programmes. However, they cannot act as implementing agencies.



Besides, disclosure requirements have been enhanced with respect to CSR projects.



As per the amended rules, there will be impact assessment of CSR projects that will help companies to plan and allocate resources in a better manner. The assessment will be applicable subject to various conditions.



The CSR provisions came into force from April 1, 2014. The CSR expenditure has increased from Rs 10,066 crore in 2014-15 financial year to Rs 18,655 crore in 2018-19 and a cumulative total of Rs 79,000 crore has been spent throughout the country, as per the official data.

Govt amends CSR rules, decriminalizes provisions

standard

India's record ninth Asia Cup title win against Pakistan in Dubai was overshadowed by an unprecedented trophy fiasco. The Indian team refused to accept the winners' trophy from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, leading to a chaotic presentation ceremony and a public standoff, with Naqvi allegedly walking away with the silverware.

India win Asia Cup: Ugly scenes in Dubai! PCB chief runs away with trophy

India secured a thrilling Asia Cup 2025 triumph over Pakistan, winning by five wickets in Dubai. Prime Minister Modi celebrated the victory with a viral tweet, declaring "#OperationSindoor". Tilak Varma's unbeaten 69 anchored India's chase of 147, while Kuldeep Yadav's 4/30 dismantled Pakistan's batting. This dominant win, marked by intense rivalry, clinched India's record-extending ninth Asia Cup crown.

Operation Sindoor on games field, outcome is the same: PM Modi as India beats Pak in Asia Cup final

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed the India-Russia economic partnership remains strong, despite India-US tensions. He praised India's "self-respect" and independent foreign policy in securing its energy interests, particularly regarding Russian oil imports. Lavrov highlighted Russia's full respect for India's national interests and confirmed President Putin's December visit for the annual summit.

India's strained ties with US won't hit our relations: Russia

A deadly stampede at a TVK rally in Karur claimed 40 lives, largely due to president Vijay's delayed arrival, which swelled the crowd far beyond the venue's capacity. Congestion worsened as his vehicle moved through the packed area, and darkness from a power disruption triggered chaos, leading to the tragic crush.

Making of tragedy: Vijay's late entry, roadshow & payday rush

Cancer incidence in India surged by 26% since 1990, with deaths up 21%, contrasting sharply with declines in the US and China. This rise is attributed to high tobacco use, obesity, and inadequate early detection. Experts advocate for stronger prevention, expanded screening, and increased tobacco taxes to reverse this alarming trend.