CSR, Companies Act, 2013
CSR Consultancy Services
Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer just a goodwill activity for companies. For eligible businesses, CSR is a statutory responsibility under the Companies Act, 2013, requiring proper planning, spending, documentation, governance, and reporting.
Many companies want to contribute meaningfully to society, but struggle with questions such as: Is CSR applicable to our company? How much do we need to spend? Which activities qualify? How should the CSR policy be drafted? What records should be maintained? How should unspent CSR amount be handled? How should CSR reporting be done in the Board’s Report?
At Lal Ghai & Associates, we provide CSR consultancy services for companies that need clear, compliant, and practical guidance on CSR planning, implementation support, documentation, and reporting.
Our focus is to help businesses meet their CSR obligations responsibly while aligning CSR activities with real social impact, legal compliance, and long-term brand credibility.
What Is CSR Consultancy?
CSR consultancy is a professional service that helps companies plan, implement, manage, and monitor Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in compliance with the Companies Act, 2013. CSR consultants assist with CSR policy drafting, project identification, implementation, impact assessment, reporting, and statutory compliance, ensuring that CSR activities create meaningful social impact while meeting legal requirements.
The CSR framework in India is mainly governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, Schedule VII of the Act, and the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has also stated that Schedule VII lists activities that can be undertaken as CSR and that these activities are aligned with national priorities for inclusive and sustainable development.
In simple terms, CSR consultancy ensures that your company’s CSR decisions are not handled casually. It helps you follow the correct legal process, identify eligible CSR activities, maintain proper records, and report CSR actions accurately.
When Is CSR Applicable to a Company?
CSR provisions apply to companies that meet the prescribed financial thresholds under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. A company may be covered if it has:
- Net worth of ₹500 crore or more, or
- Turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more, or
- Net profit of ₹5 crore or more
Once CSR is applicable, the company is generally required to spend at least 2% of the average net profits of the immediately preceding three financial years on CSR activities, subject to applicable provisions and rules.
This is why companies should review CSR applicability carefully every financial year, especially growing MSMEs, manufacturing companies, exporters, and profitable closely held companies.
Why CSR Compliance Matters
CSR compliance is not only about spending money on social work. It involves board-level responsibility, policy decisions, project selection, spending discipline, documentation, disclosures, and statutory reporting.
Proper CSR compliance helps companies:
- Meet statutory obligations under the Companies Act
- Avoid non-compliance risk and regulatory scrutiny
- Maintain transparent board-level records
- Support responsible business positioning
- Build stronger public and stakeholder trust
- Align CSR activities with meaningful social outcomes
- Improve ESG and sustainability credibility
- Maintain cleaner records for audits, due diligence, and reporting
For growing companies, CSR also plays an important role in brand reputation, corporate governance, stakeholder confidence, and long-term institutional credibility.
Who Needs CSR Consultancy Services?
Companies Covered Under CSR Provisions
Companies meeting the prescribed net worth, turnover, or profit criteria need proper CSR planning and compliance support.
Manufacturing and Industrial Companies
Manufacturers often have strong local community presence and may use CSR for education, environment, healthcare, skill development, or worker-community welfare initiatives.
Exporters and Growing Businesses
Export-oriented businesses and growth-stage companies may need stronger CSR, ESG, and governance records for international buyers, lenders, investors, and stakeholders.
Companies Preparing for Funding, Listing, or Due Diligence
CSR records may form part of governance and compliance review during fundraising, SME IPO preparation, restructuring, or acquisition.
Businesses Working with NGOs or Implementing Agencies
Companies engaging external organisations for CSR projects need documentation review, eligibility checks, project clarity, and proper reporting support.
Family-Owned Companies
Family businesses often prefer meaningful local CSR, but need proper legal structuring, approvals, and documentation.
Documents Required for CSR Consultancy
The exact documents may vary depending on the company and CSR activity, but commonly include:
- Certificate of incorporation
- Financial statements of relevant years
- Net profit calculation details
- Board and committee details
- Existing CSR policy, if any
- CSR committee records, if applicable
- Proposed CSR project details
- NGO or implementing agency documents
- Project proposal and budget
- Fund transfer records
- Utilisation certificate or impact documentation
- Previous CSR reports, if applicable
- Board approvals and meeting records
If the company has not maintained CSR records properly in the past, we can help identify missing documents and suggest corrective steps.
Our CSR Consultancy Services
CSR Applicability Assessment
We review the company’s financials, net worth, turnover, and profit position to determine whether CSR provisions are applicable. This helps companies avoid both under-compliance and unnecessary assumptions.
CSR Policy Drafting
We help draft or review the company’s CSR policy, including eligible activities, governance approach, project selection framework, monitoring mechanism, and reporting structure.
CSR Spend Calculation
We assist in calculating the CSR obligation based on the applicable financial data and statutory framework. This includes reviewing average net profits and identifying the required CSR spend.
CSR Committee and Board Support
Where CSR committee requirements apply, we assist with board and committee documentation, meeting agenda, resolutions, recommendations, approvals, and CSR governance records.
NGO and Implementing Agency Documentation Review
Where a company works with an NGO, trust, society, Section 8 company, or other implementing agency, we help review basic documentation, registration details, eligibility, project proposal, and reporting requirements.
CSR Reporting and Board’s Report Disclosure
We assist companies in preparing CSR reporting inputs, annual disclosure details, and Board’s Report-related CSR information as required under applicable rules.
Why Businesses Choose Lal Ghai & Associates for GST Registration
ICSI Peer Review Recognised Firm
This recognition reflects professional quality, compliance discipline, and reliable advisory standards, giving businesses added confidence for CSR applicability review, policy drafting, board documentation, reporting, and ongoing CSR compliance.
CSR Compliance Expertise
We understand the CSR framework under the Companies Act, 2013 and help businesses apply it practically through proper planning, approvals, documentation, and reporting.
Compliance-First Planning
CSR activities should be socially meaningful, but they must also be legally compliant. We help companies select and document CSR initiatives within the applicable legal framework.
Strong Documentation Support
CSR compliance depends heavily on records. We help maintain proper documentation for board approvals, project selection, implementing agencies, fund utilisation, monitoring, and reporting.
Audit and Due Diligence Readiness
CSR records may be reviewed during audits, regulatory checks, investor due diligence, lender assessments, or governance reviews. We help companies keep CSR documentation organised and review-ready.
End-to-End CSR Compliance Support
From checking CSR applicability to drafting the CSR policy, preparing board documentation, reviewing project records, coordinating implementing agency documents, and supporting annual CSR reporting, we provide complete assistance at every stage of the CSR compliance process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get CSR Policy Support
CSR compliance should be planned carefully, not handled casually at the end of the financial year. A structured CSR approach helps your company meet legal requirements, support genuine social causes, and maintain stronger governance records. If your company needs CSR applicability review, CSR policy drafting, CSR project documentation, CSR reporting, or ongoing CSR compliance support, Lal Ghai & Associates can guide you through the right process.
Email: info@lgassociates.org | Offices in Ludhiana – Mohali – Gurgaon