The company exceeds its statutory CSR obligation, focusing on education, wellness, skill development, healthcare, sanitation, hunger eradication, and community development through Sleepwell Foundation and direct CSR initiatives.
Sheela Foam Limited, one of India’s leading comfort and sleep solutions companies, reported a strong Corporate Social Responsibility performance for the financial year 2025-26. The company spent Rs. 5.37 crore on CSR activities during the year, against its total CSR obligation of Rs. 3.16 crore. The company’s CSR expenditure reflects its commitment to social development, especially in the areas of education, wellness, skill development, healthcare, sanitation, hunger eradication, poverty reduction, malnutrition prevention, school infrastructure, and support for armed forces veterans.
The CSR work of Sheela Foam is largely implemented through Sleepwell Foundation, its CSR arm. The foundation has been working in the fields of education, skill development, wellness, and cleanliness for many years. In FY 2025-26, Sheela Foam continued to use CSR as a tool for improving the quality of life of underprivileged communities, with special attention to rural India and socially and economically backward sections of society.
The company’s CSR disclosures show that its approach is not limited to statutory compliance. It spent more than its required CSR obligation. It also reported nil unspent amount. This indicates that the company implemented its CSR plans actively during the financial year.
Key CSR Facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Sheela Foam Limited |
| Financial Year | 2025-26 |
| Average net profit for CSR calculation | Rs. 169.91 crore |
| 2% CSR obligation | Rs. 3.40 crore |
| Amount available for set-off from previous year | Rs. 0.24 crore |
| Total CSR obligation for FY 2025-26 | Rs. 3.16 crore |
| Total CSR amount spent | Rs. 5.37 crore |
| Excess amount spent for the financial year | Rs. 1.96 crore |
| Amount available for set-off in succeeding years | Rs. 2.21 crore |
| Unspent CSR amount | Nil |
| Administrative overheads | Nil |
| Impact assessment | Not applicable |
| Main implementing agency | Sleepwell Foundation |
CSR Financial Performance
Sheela Foam’s average net profit for CSR calculation stood at Rs. 169.91 crore. Based on the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, the company was required to spend 2% of its average net profit on CSR activities. This amount came to Rs. 3.40 crore.
The company also had Rs. 0.24 crore available for set-off from the previous year. After adjusting this amount, the total CSR obligation for FY 2025-26 stood at Rs. 3.16 crore.
Against this required amount, Sheela Foam spent Rs. 5.37 crore during the year. This means the company spent more than its statutory requirement. The excess amount spent during the year was Rs. 1.96 crore. The amount available for set-off in succeeding financial years stood at Rs. 2.21 crore.
This is an important aspect of the company’s CSR performance. Many companies struggle to fully utilise their CSR budgets. Sheela Foam not only spent the required amount but also exceeded it. This shows a proactive commitment towards social responsibility.
No Unspent CSR Amount
A significant feature of Sheela Foam’s CSR performance in FY 2025-26 was that the company reported nil unspent CSR amount.
The company did not transfer any amount to the Unspent CSR Account under Section 135(6). It also did not transfer any amount to any fund specified under Schedule VII of the Companies Act.
This indicates that the company completed its CSR spending during the financial year. It also suggests that CSR planning, implementation, and monitoring were carried out in a timely manner.
From a compliance point of view, nil unspent amount is an important indicator. It shows that the company was able to convert its CSR obligation into actual social spending.
CSR Governance
Sheela Foam had a dedicated CSR Committee during FY 2025-26. The committee was responsible for reviewing and guiding the company’s CSR policy, programmes, projects, and spending. The CSR Committee included Anil Tandon as Chairperson, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Ahluwalia as Member, Namita Gautam as Member, and Meena Jagtiani as Member. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Ahluwalia’s tenure was completed on March 4, 2026. The committee met once during the year. The members attended the meeting. This governance structure helped the company maintain oversight of CSR activities and compliance. CSR governance is important because corporate social responsibility is not only about expenditure. It is also about purpose, accountability, project selection, implementation quality, beneficiary impact, and transparent disclosure.
CSR Policy and Social Vision
Sheela Foam’s CSR policy focuses on improving the quality of life of people living in underprivileged areas. The policy gives special attention to socially and economically backward communities. The company’s CSR approach gives importance to education, employability, health, community development, rural development, and social welfare. It also gives preference to needy and deserving people living in rural India. This policy direction shows that Sheela Foam views CSR as a human development responsibility. The company’s CSR work aims to support people by improving their skills, emotional well-being, education access, school facilities, health awareness, and livelihood opportunities.
Role of Sleepwell Foundation
Sleepwell Foundation plays a central role in Sheela Foam’s CSR implementation. The foundation has been engaged in education, skill development, wellness, and cleanliness since 2001. In FY 2025-26, Sheela Foam contributed Rs. 4.85 crore to Sleepwell Foundation for CSR activities. This made the foundation the main implementation platform for the company’s CSR work. A dedicated CSR foundation helps bring continuity and focus to social initiatives. It also allows long-term programme design, field partnerships, documentation, community engagement, and monitoring. Sleepwell Foundation’s work in wellness, skilling, and education reflects Sheela Foam’s broader commitment to society. It also connects with the company’s business identity around comfort, wellness, and quality of life.
Project-wise CSR Spending
| CSR Project | Focus Area | Amount Spent |
| Wellness Awareness | Emotional wellness awareness through workshops, seminars, conclaves and digital media | Rs. 2.43 crore |
| Skill Development | Vocational courses for underprivileged rural youth | Rs. 1.78 crore |
| Armed Forces Veterans | Benefit of armed forces veterans | Rs. 13.21 lakh |
| Other CSR Activities | School infrastructure, facilities and resources | Rs. 1.02 crore |
| Total CSR Spending | Rs. 5.37 crore |
Wellness Awareness: Largest CSR Focus Area
Wellness awareness was the largest CSR project of Sheela Foam during FY 2025-26. The company spent Rs. 2.43 crore on this area through Sleepwell Foundation and direct initiatives.
The project focused on creating awareness about proactive emotional wellness among society, especially among people living on the margins. The activities included workshops, seminars, conclaves, digital media outreach, and social media-based awareness.
This is a meaningful CSR theme because emotional wellness is often ignored in mainstream development discussions. People facing poverty, uncertainty, unemployment, social pressure, family stress, health issues, or educational barriers also face emotional and mental burdens.
By focusing on emotional wellness, Sheela Foam has taken a wider view of health. Health is not only physical. It is also emotional, mental, and social.
The company’s wellness initiatives included social media films and video reels. During FY 2025-26, the foundation released 23 episodes of “Baatein Dil Ki” on relevant themes. These episodes addressed the need for emotional and mental health support.
The foundation also released 13 episodes of “Zindagi with Richa,” which shared inspiring stories of everyday heroes who faced tough challenges and still made a difference in their own lives and in their communities.
The wellness awareness programme reached more than 31.6 million people during the year. This shows the power of digital outreach in CSR. Workshops create direct engagement, while digital media helps expand reach to a larger audience.
Skill Development: Building Livelihood Opportunities
Skill development was another major CSR priority for Sheela Foam in FY 2025-26. The company spent Rs. 1.78 crore on vocational training and livelihood-focused programmes.
The initiative focused on running vocational courses for underprivileged rural youth. The objective was to enhance employment and livelihood opportunities.
Skill development is one of the most important areas of CSR because it creates long-term empowerment. It does not only provide short-term relief. It helps people become self-reliant.
For rural youth, lack of employable skills is a major challenge. Many young people complete basic education but do not have job-ready skills. Vocational training helps bridge this gap.
Sheela Foam’s skill development activities were implemented through Sleepwell Foundation and direct support. The foundation runs a Skill Development Centre in Village Mirpur, on the outskirts of Khurja in Uttar Pradesh.
The centre serves as a vocational empowerment hub. Its curriculum is aligned with the National Skill Development Corporation and vocational degree programmes of UGC-recognised universities.
The courses include paramedical, beautician, fashion designing, software development, basic computer, Tally, physical training, and theory classes for competitive examinations in the armed forces, state police, and other uniformed services.
In FY 2025-26, the company trained 956 rural youth. Out of these, more than 423 secured gainful employment or self-employment. This shows that the initiative had a practical livelihood outcome.
Armed Forces Veterans
Sheela Foam spent Rs. 13.21 lakh for the benefit of armed forces veterans during FY 2025-26.
This initiative was implemented directly by the company. Although the amount is smaller compared to other CSR heads, the theme has strong national and social significance.
Armed forces veterans have served the nation with discipline, sacrifice, and courage. Many veterans and their families require support after retirement, especially in areas related to health, livelihood, dignity, and social rehabilitation.
By including armed forces veterans in its CSR activities, Sheela Foam recognised the contribution of those who served the country.
Education and School Infrastructure
Sheela Foam spent Rs. 1.02 crore on other CSR activities related to improvement in infrastructure, facilities, and resources in schools.
The objective was to improve the quality of education. This is an important area because school infrastructure directly affects learning. A good school environment improves attendance, concentration, dignity, and student motivation.
The company’s education work included the adoption of Smt. Sheela Gautam Inter College in Aligarh. The long-term vision is to develop the institution into a model school over a few years.
The initiative focuses on strengthening teacher capabilities, upgrading infrastructure, integrating digital learning, and improving academic outcomes. The school has 520 boys and girls from Class 1 to Class 12.
Sheela Foam also carried out CSR activities in schools near its manufacturing plants. These interventions were designed to create long-term impact over a period of 3 to 5 years and transform selected institutions into model schools.
During FY 2025-26, key education-related initiatives included donation of 30 dual desks to Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The company also constructed a multipurpose hall at Panchayat Union Primary School, Ingur, Tamil Nadu, to support mid-day meal and other activities.
The company upgraded infrastructure at Jhanjupara Primary School in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, by installing an RO water cooler, ceiling fans, and carrying out electrical repair. It also repaired the mid-day meal kitchen at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, ensuring a safer and more hygienic cooking environment.
The company also celebrated Children’s Day across multiple schools near Sheela Foam plants. Such activities create joy, engagement, and emotional connection with students.
Healthcare, Sanitation, Hunger, Poverty and Malnutrition
Sheela Foam’s CSR framework also includes healthcare, sanitation, hunger eradication, poverty reduction, and malnutrition prevention.
These areas are basic to human development. Healthcare helps communities access awareness, prevention, and support. Sanitation improves public health and dignity. Hunger and malnutrition eradication are essential for child development, learning, productivity, and social justice.
The company’s CSR approach combines welfare and capability building. It addresses immediate human needs while also supporting long-term empowerment through education and skilling.
CSR and Sustainability Context
Sheela Foam’s CSR work is part of its broader responsible business philosophy. The company’s annual theme for FY 2025-26 was “Fully Integrated and Eager to Serve.”
The company has also been advancing its Sustainability 2030 roadmap. It focused on renewable energy, water stewardship, resource efficiency, recycling practices, infrastructure upgrades, and reducing environmental impact.
This broader context is important. CSR and sustainability are connected. CSR focuses on people and communities. Sustainability focuses on long-term environmental, social, and governance responsibility.
Sheela Foam’s CSR work in education, wellness, skill development, and community infrastructure fits into this larger responsible business approach.
CSR and Business Identity
Sheela Foam operates in the comfort and sleep solutions industry. Its products are linked with sleep, wellness, rest, health, and quality of life.
Its CSR priorities also reflect this wider idea of comfort. Emotional wellness supports mental comfort. Education supports future comfort. Skill development supports economic comfort. Healthcare and sanitation support bodily comfort. School infrastructure supports learning comfort. Hunger and malnutrition eradication support human dignity.
This alignment between business identity and CSR direction gives the company’s social responsibility work a deeper meaning.
CSR becomes stronger when it is connected to the values of the company. In Sheela Foam’s case, the idea of comfort extends beyond products and reaches communities through wellness, education, skills, and social support.
Strengths of Sheela Foam’s CSR Performance
The first major strength of Sheela Foam’s CSR performance in FY 2025-26 is that the company spent more than its statutory obligation. It was required to spend Rs. 3.16 crore after set-off, but it spent Rs. 5.37 crore.
The second strength is nil unspent amount. This shows that the company completed its CSR spending during the year.
The third strength is the strong role of Sleepwell Foundation. A dedicated foundation gives continuity, experience, and implementation capacity to CSR projects.
The fourth strength is the focus on emotional wellness. This is an important and emerging CSR theme. Mental and emotional health support is becoming more relevant in society.
The fifth strength is rural youth skilling. Training 956 rural youth and helping more than 423 secure employment or self-employment shows practical livelihood impact.
The sixth strength is education infrastructure. The company’s work in schools can create long-term benefits for children and communities.
The seventh strength is the company’s focus on underprivileged communities. CSR is most meaningful when it reaches those who need it the most.
Areas for Better Disclosure
Sheela Foam has disclosed the required CSR financial data and project-wise spending. However, future CSR reports can become even stronger with more detailed impact indicators.
The company may consider disclosing the number of wellness workshops conducted, number of people reached physically, district-wise coverage, number of beneficiaries by gender, and measurable outcomes of emotional wellness programmes.
In skill development, the company may provide course-wise training data, placement details, self-employment cases, income improvement, and long-term tracking of trainees.
In education, the company may disclose the number of schools covered, number of students benefited, infrastructure created, learning improvements, and teacher training outcomes.
Such disclosures would help readers understand not only how much money was spent, but also what social change was created.
CSR reporting is moving from expenditure reporting to impact reporting. Sheela Foam already has strong CSR spending. More impact data can make its social contribution more visible and measurable.
(India CSR)
