M&M prioritized government-designated aspirational districts, investing in education, skilling, and water projects.
MUMBAI (India CSR): Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) demonstrated a strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in FY2024-25, exceeding its statutory obligation under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. The company’s average net profit for the three preceding financial years was Rs. 7,611.58 Crore, requiring a minimum CSR spend of 2% amounting to Rs. 152.23 Crore.
M&M invested a total of Rs. 152.36 Crore, surpassing the mandate by Rs. 0.13 Crore. This expenditure reflects the company’s core purpose: “Drive positive change in the lives of our communities. Only when we enable others to rise will we rise.“
The spend was allocated across ongoing and other projects, with no unspent amounts carried forward. Breakdown includes:
- Amount spent on CSR projects (both ongoing and other than ongoing): ₹146.87 Crore
- Administrative overheads: ₹5.24 Crore
- Impact Assessment costs: ₹0.03 Crore
CSR initiatives were governed by the Board-level CSR Committee, chaired by Muthiah Murugappan (DIN: 07858587), comprising independent directors, Anand Mahindra, the Chairman, and the Group CEO & Managing Director. The committee met three times during the year to oversee strategy, implementation, and monitoring. The CSR Policy, aligned with Schedule VII of the Companies Act, emphasizes high-impact projects in girls’ and women’s empowerment and environmental conservation, with a focus on education, skill development, and sustainability.
Key Focus Areas and Strategic Pillars
M&M’s CSR efforts are guided by the “Rise for a More Equal World” philosophy, integrating social impact with business operations. Investments prioritize vulnerable and marginalized groups, ensuring over 70% of beneficiaries are women and girls. The portfolio spans:
- Girls’ and Women’s Empowerment (Primary focus: ~70-80% of spend, based on beneficiary data): Education, skill-building, and employability programs.
- Environmental Conservation (~20-25% of spend): Water management, biodiversity, and sustainable practices.
- Community Development: Local need-based initiatives around business locations, including health and infrastructure.
All projects underwent third-party impact assessments by BlueSky Sustainable Business LLP for five flagship initiatives, rating them as “Exemplary” for robust implementation and goal achievement.
Breakdown by Major CSR Projects
While detailed project-wise financials are not itemized in the report, expenditures are concentrated in flagship programs. Below is a summary based on reported impacts, beneficiaries, and qualitative allocations. Total spend aligns with the overall Rs. 152.36 Crore.
| Project/Program | Description | Beneficiaries Reached | % from Vulnerable/Marginalized Groups | Estimated Focus (Based on Impact & Scale) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Nanhi Kali | Comprehensive support for underprivileged girls (Classes 1-10) via after-school academic classes (ASCs), AI-powered digital learning tablets, school kits (including feminine hygiene materials), and sports curriculum for holistic development. Partnered with K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation. Covered 7 states, 19 locations. | 52,658 girls | 100% (underprivileged girls) | High (~₹30-40 Crore; core education flagship, 92% reported academic improvements) |
| Project Nanhi Kali – Life Skills Program | Soft skills training for adolescent girls (16-19 years) in self-awareness, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Delivered via videos, discussions, and activities. Implemented in 55 institutions across 10 districts in Tamil Nadu. | 15,000 girls | 100% (underserved adolescents) | Medium (~₹10-15 Crore; 98% reported confidence boost) |
| Kaabil – Women Empowerment (Mahindra Pride Project) | Skill development for women in various sectors, focusing on livelihoods and dignity. | 80,222 women | 71% | High (~₹20-25 Crore; largest beneficiary program) |
| Kaabil – Women Empowerment in Apparel Sector | Tailored skilling for apparel industry jobs. | 4,100 women | 69% | Low (~₹5-7 Crore) |
| Kaabil – Women Empowerment in Health Care/Retail & EET | Training in healthcare, retail, and emerging technologies. | 12,526 women | 49% | Medium (~₹10-12 Crore) |
| Women Empowerment through Farm Skilling Project | Agricultural skills for rural women to enhance income and sustainability. | 50,000 women | 78% | High (~₹15-20 Crore; aligns with environmental goals) |
| ITI Auto Skills Project – Centum | Automotive skill training via Industrial Training Institutes. | 4,208 youth | 99% | Low (~₹3-5 Crore) |
| ITI Auto Skills Project – LBS | Similar ITI-based auto skills program. | 3,206 youth | 79% | Low (~₹2-4 Crore) |
| Environmental Conservation Initiatives (e.g., Jal Samriddhi, Biodiversity Projects) | Water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable farming. Includes community-led efforts for biodiversity restoration. | ~1,00,000+ community members (indirect) | 80%+ (rural/marginalized) | Medium (~₹25-30 Crore; includes Swaraj Jal Samriddhi award-winning project) |
| Other Local/Need-Based Projects | Infrastructure, health, and community support around 100+ business locations. | Varied | 60-70% | Balance (~₹20-25 Crore) |
*Note: Project-wise amounts are estimated based on scale, beneficiary numbers, and impact assessments, as exact breakdowns are not disclosed. Total sums to Rs. 152.36 Crore.
Capital Assets Created Under CSR: ₹55.20 Crore
M&M created one major capital asset through CSR funds:
- Educational Infrastructure at Mahindra Educational Institutions, Hyderabad: Includes Hostel 4A & 4B, nine classrooms (1,200 seating capacity), Academic Block expansions, labs (Civil Engineering, Aerospace), Learning Resource Centre, Base Kitchen, security/safety automation, and rainwater harvesting for two blocks.
- Location: Survey No. 61/1A, Qutubullapur, Bahadurpally Village, RR District, Hyderabad – 500043.
- Date of Creation: 31st March 2025.
- Amount Spent: ₹55.20 Crore.
- Beneficiary: Mahindra Educational Institutions (CSR Reg. No.: CSR00001815).
This investment enhances access to quality education for underserved students, aligning with empowerment goals.
Spending in Aspirational Districts: ~₹8.50 Crore
M&M prioritized government-designated aspirational districts, investing in education, skilling, and water projects. Total spend across 18 states:
| S. No. | State | Aspirational Districts | Amount Spent (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Y.S.R. Kadapa, Alluri Sitharamaraju | 6,77,62,459.74 |
| 2 | Assam | Barpeta, Dhubri, Baksa, Goalpara | 5,71,221.89 |
| 3 | Bihar | Araria, Aurangabad, Begusarai, Jamui, Khagaria, Muzaffapur, Purnea, Sheikhpura, Sitamarhi, Gaya, Katihar, Banka, Nawada | 23,49,842.59 |
| 4 | Chhattisgarh | Korba, Mahasamund, Kondagaon | 34,003.58 |
| 5 | Gujarat | Dahod | 2,48,026.06 |
| 6 | Jammu & Kashmir | Baramula, Kupwara | 30,22,573.34 |
| 7 | Jharkhand | Bokaro, Dumka, Purbi Singhbhum, Garhwa, Giridh, Gumla, Latehar, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Simdega, Pashchimi Singhbhum, Palamu, Hazaribag, Sahibganj, Chatra | 25,34,345.80 |
| 8 | Karnataka | Raichur, Yadgir | 12,39,236.33 |
| 9 | Kerala | Wayanad | 59,407.44 |
| 10 | Madhya Pradesh | Chhatarpur, Damoh, Khandwa, Rajgarh, Guna | 2,52,443.08 |
| 11 | Maharashtra | Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Osmanabad, Washim | 11,26,551.44 |
| 12 | Odisha | Balangir, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Nuapada, Gajapati, Nabarangapur | 16,70,182.03 |
| 13 | Punjab | Ferozepur, Moga | 1,65,19,085.41 |
| 14 | Rajasthan | Karauli, Sirohi, Baran, Jaisalmer | 89,242.35 |
| 15 | Tamil Nadu | Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar | 35,39,512.19 |
| 16 | Telangana | Bhadradri-Kothagudem | 2,69,261.68 |
| 17 | Uttar Pradesh | Chitrakoot, Shravasti, Bahraich, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra | 3,33,76,885.59 |
| 18 | Uttarakhand | Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar | 1,04,35,194.91 |
| Total | ₹8,50,88,630.33 (~₹8.51 Crore) |
This represents ~5.6% of total CSR spend, focusing on high-need areas for maximum equity impact.
Impact Highlights
- Beneficiaries: Over 2,20,000 individuals directly impacted, with 70%+ from vulnerable groups (women, girls, rural poor).
- Key Outcomes:
- 92% improvement in academic skills (Nanhi Kali).
- 98% boost in self-confidence and communication (Life Skills).
- Reduced school absenteeism by 92% via hygiene support.
- Enhanced biodiversity and water security in rural areas.
Governance and Monitoring
- Grievance Redressal: Plant-level registers and escalation matrices ensure community concerns are resolved locally or escalated as needed.
- Impact Assessment: Independent evaluations for all major projects, with executive summaries available on the company website.
- Policy Updates: CSR Policy amended to include FY25 projects under the “Rise for Good” umbrella.
Key CSR Projects
| Key CSR Project | Brief Description | Beneficiaries in FY25 | % from Vulnerable/Marginalized Groups | Key Impact/Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Nanhi Kali | Holistic education support for underprivileged girls (Grades 6-10) including academic interventions, sports, Skill Bridge (English & job prep), and Teacher Training on 21st century skills. | 1,79,175 girls (Company: 40,149) | 100% | Improved attendance & learning levels; reduced dropouts; cumulative support to 8,74,266 girls since inception; trained 1,000 teachers impacting 1,00,000+ additional girls. |
| Project Kaabil – Employability Skilling | Digital, life & soft skills training for final-year students in colleges/ITIs/polytechnics to enhance job readiness. | 1,75,989 women (Company: 89,400) | 71% (overall Kaabil) | Enhanced communication & critical thinking; enabled formal wage employment; reached 20 states. |
| Project Kaabil – Domain Skilling | Vocational training in Automotive, IT/ITES, Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail, Entrepreneurship & Apparel sectors. | 12,242 women (Company: 10,639) | 69% (Apparel subset) | Job placements in targeted industries; covered 15 states; cumulative impact on 10,09,592 women since inception. |
| Project Kaabil – Agri Skilling (Regenerative & Farm) | Regenerative agriculture & farm skilling for women farmers to improve soil health, productivity & income; includes PRERNA advisory services. | 56,254 women farmers (Company: 53,811) | 78% | Reduced input costs; enhanced livelihood income; food/nutrition security; covered Punjab, UP, AP. |
| Jal Samriddhi | Water conservation via creation/renovation of harvesting structures; capacity building for farmers on soil health & crop diversification. | 48,781 farmers/community members | 95%+ (across variants) | 3,758.18 lakh litres water harvesting potential; 1,942.2 ha increased irrigation; cumulative 15,173.45 ha covered; 117 villages in 7 states. |
| Gyandeep | Promotion of education in rural areas, focusing on school infrastructure & access. | 7,278 children (across variants) | 34-22% (site-specific) | Improved educational access; supported in Rajasthan & Maharashtra. |
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