According to a CSR report by Nasscom Foundation, along with Nasscom and BOD Consulting, India’s tech industry invested ₹5,443 crore in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in FY23. This was driven by leveraging technological expertise, scalability, and structured CSR strategies to drive long-term impact, with companies exceeding the 2% mandate. The report, titled “Tech Industry and CSR: Insights and Impactful Stories,” highlights the evolving role of the tech sector in CSR.

Jyoti Sharma, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, and Achyuta Ghosh, Senior Director and Head of Nasscom Insights, discussed how technology is reshaping CSR, focusing on AI, digital skilling, and sustainability. Sharma emphasized technology's role as a powerful enabler of inclusive growth, addressing socio-economic challenges faced by marginalized communities. The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, expanding CSR's scope and opening avenues for tech-driven social impact. Tech companies are now embedding AI, digital skilling, and sustainability into their CSR strategies, including setting up digital infrastructures, integrating AI tools for real-time monitoring, skill-based volunteering, and employing AI-based skill assessments.

Sharma highlighted the importance of collaboration among tech companies, government bodies, and local NGOs for holistic development. Nasscom Foundation's TechForGood philosophy drives the use of technology for inclusive growth and sustainable development. In FY23, 75 leading tech companies spearheaded over 2,610 CSR projects. These initiatives focused on education, climate action, and digital skilling, leveraging AI and digital platforms to reach millions and create sustainable pathways. Collaboration with the government aligns CSR with national objectives like digital inclusion and skilling, helping bridge regional disparities. Local NGOs provide essential community insights and last-mile connectivity, enhanced by capacity-building initiatives and skill-based volunteering from the tech sector.

Ghosh noted that challenges persist in equitable geographic distribution, prioritizing aspirational districts, and fostering stronger NGO partnerships. A 2024 CSR survey revealed that companies face difficulties in collaboration, sector expansion, and identifying suitable implementation partners. Addressing these gaps is essential to unlocking CSR’s full potential and aligning it more closely with national development goals. The CSR landscape in India has transformed, with the number of participating companies increasing by 22% from FY22 to FY23, and total CSR expenditure growing by 12.6%. Key focus areas include education, skill development, livelihoods, and climate change. CSR spending in aspirational districts has increased fivefold since FY19, though it still accounts for a small percentage of total CSR expenditure. A growing number of organizations prioritize alignment with national priorities and the SDGs, with social innovation projected to increase in the coming years.

Sharma noted that CSR investments are becoming more strategic and aligned with national and global development goals. Skill development and livelihood generation are expected to surpass education as CSR priorities. Tech companies are entering areas like disaster response, while non-tech firms focus more on climate action. Companies face barriers in collaboration, sector expansion, and finding the right partners, as well as on-the-ground challenges like tech resistance and discrimination. A long-term, partnership-driven, tech-enabled approach is essential for deeper, inclusive impact.

Ghosh recommended that CSR leaders establish clear KPIs and leverage AI tools for real-time monitoring, develop adaptive learning solutions, collaborate with academic and industry stakeholders, partner with local NGOs, provide regional language content and mobile or offline learning resources, and combine technical and soft skills training. Engaging with local organizations fosters effective outreach and allows for the customization of program goals. Partnering with organizations that possess local expertise helps bridge gaps in reach, logistics, and program execution.

Sharma stated that CSR is now a strategic imperative aligned with business objectives and national development goals. The Nasscom and Nasscom Foundation Annual CSR Survey 2024 indicated that tech-integrated projects reported increased impact, scalability, and efficiency, with a significant percentage of organizations prioritizing CSR goals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.