No data on innovation or social entrepreneurship in CSR spending, answer states

Asked and answered by: Asked by Shri Ve Vaithilingam; Answered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (Minister Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman).

What the government said

• CSR legal framework is under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, Schedule VII, and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014.
• Schedule VII includes eligible activities such as education, healthcare, and contribution to funds like Clean Ganga, PMNRF, PMCARES, and Swachh Bharat Kosh.
• Item (ix) of Schedule VII allows contribution to incubators or R&D projects in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
• Total CSR expenditure in India was ₹31,183.28 crore in FY 2022-23, ₹35,917.98 crore in FY 2023-24, and ₹40,794.00 crore in FY 2024-25.
• Education was the largest sector with ₹13,877.34 crore in FY 2024-25, followed by Health Care at ₹8,530.60 crore.
• Partnerships are facilitated through Section 8 companies, registered trusts/societies, or entities established by Central/State Governments.
• A notification dated 27.05.2026 added item (xiii) to Schedule VII, allowing subscription to zero coupon zero principal instruments on the Social Stock Exchange for Not-for-Profit Organisations.

Also in the document

• The answer provides sector-wise expenditure data for FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25, but does not provide specific figures for 'innovation-led development' or 'social entrepreneurship' as distinct categories, listing only 'Technology incubators' (₹1.91 crore in FY 2023-24, no data for FY 2024-25).
• The answer states that the legal framework 'facilitates partnerships' but does not provide specific metrics or examples of progress achieved in facilitating these partnerships as requested in part (d).
• The answer confirms the introduction of a new mechanism for fundraising via the Social Stock Exchange but does not quantify the impact or number of organizations utilizing this new provision.