A National Forum Focus on CSR, Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks
NEW DELHI (India CSR): The 17th India CSR Summit, themed “CSR for Aspirational Districts and Blocks: Shaping the Road to Viksit Bharat 2047,” will be held on 14 January 2026 (9 AM – 7 PM) at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The day-long national forum will bring together corporate leaders, policymakers, district administrators, social innovators, and development practitioners to chart a collaborative roadmap for transforming India’s Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
With a focus on inclusive growth, rural development, and long-term sustainability, the Summit aims to position CSR as a pivotal force in accelerating India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.
At a time when India is strengthening efforts toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, the summit aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for transforming Aspirational Districts and Blocks into centres of growth, resilience, and opportunity.
The event is expected to generate actionable strategies and new partnerships that will contribute meaningfully to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Aspirational Districts and Blocks at the Heart of India’s Development Journey
The Government of India’s Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) have become major anchors in transforming underdeveloped regions with focused interventions in health, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, and basic infrastructure.
The 17th India CSR Summit expands this mission by mobilizing CSR investments, innovation, and partnerships in these regions. The Summit seeks to highlight scalable models that can uplift communities, enhance rural livelihoods, and prepare India’s interiors to actively participate in the national development narrative.
Location-Focused CSR is the Need of the Hour
In the context of the upcoming Summit, Rusen Kumar, Founder of India CSR, highlighted that the conference holds particular significance for organisations that are currently implementing CSR programmes in Aspirational Districts and Blocks, as well as those planning to expand their initiatives into these geographies.
“CSR must shift from scattered, standalone interventions to a focused, location-centric development strategy. By concentrating efforts on transforming villages, Aspirational Blocks, and Aspirational Districts, companies can address socio-economic challenges in an integrated and cohesive manner.” Rusen Kumar added.
“This approach, he noted, not only enhances the depth and quality of impact but also ensures that CSR investments contribute meaningfully to sustainable development aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”, he said.
The Summit is expected to strengthen CSR investments in Aspirational regions by guiding companies toward focused, high-impact, and scalable development models that accelerate inclusive growth.
Significance of the Summit
The Companies Act requires spending 2% of profits on CSR, but directs funds geographically or thematically, with ADs being a priority focus area for government encouragement, especially for CPSEs.
The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) directs CPSEs to channel around 60% of their CSR funds towards ADs, focusing on health, nutrition, and education.
NITI Aayog has identified 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks under the Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme with actionable indicators.
While ADs attract significant CSR, they receive a smaller share (around 2-4.5%) of total CSR funds, highlighting a gap between potential and actual investment, though funds aim for sustainable, inclusive growth.
Proposed Agenda
Registration, Networking & Welcome
(9:00 – 10:00 AM)
The Summit will begin with registration and a networking session. Delegates will have the opportunity to explore collaborative ideas for high-impact CSR interventions in Aspirational Districts and Blocks. This session aims to set the tone for partnership-driven development.
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Inaugural Session: Setting the CSR Vision for Inclusive Development
(10:00 – 11:00 AM)
The Inaugural Session will mark the formal opening of the Summit. It will feature:
- Welcome Address
- Address by Special Guest 1
- Address by Special Guest 2
- Keynote Address by the Chief Guest
- Book Release Ceremony
This session will outline the national perspective on inclusive development and the role of CSR in accelerating outcomes across challenging landscapes.
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Honouring Rural Changemakers and CSR Leaders
(11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
A major highlight of the summit will be the Honouring Ceremony recognizing outstanding rural changemakers, CSR leaders, and companies. These awards will celebrate individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to the progress of Aspirational Districts and Blocks through innovative, scalable, and people-centric development initiatives.
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Leadership Session 1: Opportunities Ahead in Aspirational Geographies
(12:00 – 12:30 PM)
This session will focus on emerging opportunities for CSR in skilling, employability, MSME growth, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion. Experts will discuss the evolving needs of rural youth, micro-enterprises, and local economies.
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Leadership Session 2: Unlocking Latent Potential in Aspirational Districts and Blocks
(12:30 – 1:00 PM)
The second leadership session will explore strategies for strengthening rural livelihoods and enhancing local economic systems. Speakers will highlight innovative CSR models that have improved income, productivity, and community resilience in underserved areas.
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Networking Lunch
(1:00 – 2:00 PM)
Delegates will engage in meaningful discussions, forging partnerships and new collaborations to scale development efforts in Aspirational geographies.
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Leadership Session 3: Agriculture, Natural Farming, Climate Action & Rural Infrastructure
(2:00 – 3:30 PM)
This extensive session will delve into:
- Sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture
- Natural farming practices
- Water security and conservation
- Green and sustainable rural infrastructure
- Drone technology and agri-tech innovations
- Renewable energy adoption
The session will explore how these interventions contribute to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with emphasis on productivity, environmental resilience, and community well-being.
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Special Leadership Session 4: Innovation & Best Practices Showcase
(3:30 – 4:00 PM)
This dynamic session will present scalable, replicable, outcome-driven CSR models, along with digital governance technologies and low-cost social innovations. Case studies from Aspirational Districts and Blocks will demonstrate how data-driven and technology-enabled solutions are transforming rural landscapes.
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Summit Declaration & Closing Ceremony
(4:00 – 5:00 PM)
The Summit will conclude with the presentation of Key Takeaways, followed by the Adoption of the Summit Declaration—a collaborative statement of commitment toward accelerating development in Aspirational Districts and Blocks. The day will end with a group photograph and the formal closing of the Summit.
