NEW DELHI (India CSR): In an era where corporate responsibility extends far beyond mere profit generation, leading companies are increasingly focusing on making a tangible, positive impact on society and the environment. JSW Steel Limited, a flagship business of the diversified JSW Group, stands as a prime example of this commitment. With the recent release of its 8th Integrated Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25, the steel giant has transparently communicated its significant contributions to social development, demonstrating its core philosophy of creating value over the short, medium, and long term. The report highlights a substantial financial dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), underscoring its belief that industrial progress must go hand-in-hand with social welfare.

JSW Steel Limited (FY 2025)—Overview

Category	Details
Average Net Profit (3 years)	Rs 14,871 crore
Prescribed CSR Obligation (2%)	Rs 297.42 crore
CSR Amount Spent (Directly)	Rs 189.27 crore
CSR Amount Unspent (Escrow)	Rs 108.15 crore (to be spent on ongoing projects)
Total CSR Outlay Mentioned	Rs 363 crore (includes current, additional, and future allocations)
Key Implementing Agency	JSW Foundation
Beneficiaries Reached	Over 30 lakh people
CSR Strategy Pillars	Education, Health, Livelihoods, Water, Environment, Waste, Culture, Agri
Major Skill Program Highlight	JSW Eklavya Skill Academy – 20,000+ trained
Example Local Project	Rs 10.94 lakh spent in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand
Board Oversight Committee	Business Responsibility and Sustainability Committee
CSR Governance	Formal CSR Policy; 3rd-party assured reporting
Human Rights Complaints (FY25)	None received
Sustainability Focus	Zero liquid discharge, zero waste to landfill, biodiversity, clean energy
Website for CSR Policy	www.jsw.in

A Foundation of Responsibility: JSW Steel’s CSR Mandate

JSW Steel’s commitment to CSR is deeply rooted in its understanding of corporate obligations. As per the Companies Act, 2013, companies meeting certain criteria are mandated to allocate a portion of their profits towards social good. For FY 2024-25, JSW Steel’s average net profit, as calculated under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, stood at an impressive Rs. 14,871 crore. Consequently, the company’s total CSR obligation for the fiscal year, representing two percent of this average net profit, amounted to precisely Rs. 297.42 crore. This precise calculation forms the bedrock of JSW Steel’s planned and executed social initiatives, ensuring a disciplined approach to community investment.

The Heart of Giving: Direct Expenditure and Forward Planning

In FY 2024-25, JSW Steel demonstrated its proactive approach to fulfilling its social responsibilities. Of the Rs. 297.42 crore CSR obligation, the company successfully expended Rs. 189.27 crore directly on various CSR projects. The remaining balance of Rs. 108.15 crore was not left unutilized but was prudently deposited into a designated escrow account for future CSR spending on specified projects. This strategic allocation ensures that funds are earmarked and available for crucial initiatives, even if immediate project implementation faces delays. The primary reason cited for this unspent amount was ongoing due diligence and pending approvals for certain infrastructure projects, which are now anticipated to be completed in the ensuing period.

It is important to note that the company also broadly reported a Rs. 363 crore CSR spend for FY 2024-25 in its general highlights. This figure, as stated, includes Rs. 117 crore that was deposited into an escrow account for CSR spending in coming years. While the Rs. 297.42 crore represents the specific obligation and its direct fulfillment (spent or set aside for specific future projects from that year’s obligation) for the fiscal year, the Rs. 363 crore figure reflects a broader financial commitment or budgetary total that encompasses the current year’s obligation and possibly additional strategic allocations or carried-over funds from previous periods for long-term impact.

Strategic Pillars of Impact: Key Thematic Areas

JSW Steel’s CSR strategy is multi-faceted, focusing on vital sectors that drive meaningful and sustainable change within communities. Guided by the “Better Everyday” philosophy, the company’s initiatives are deeply empathetic, prioritizing genuine stakeholder engagement and local involvement. The core thematic areas of intervention include:

Education and Learning: Enhancing educational infrastructure and systems to unlock potential.
Health & Nutrition: Improving public health infrastructure, capacity building, and support programs for a thriving populace.
Livelihoods & Skill Development: Fostering economic independence through nurturing supportive ecosystems and innovations, including programs like the JSW Eklavya Skill Academy, which has trained over 20,000 influencers, with dedicated health and safety modules to embed these values at the workplace.
Community Development & Infrastructure: Strengthening communities through essential infrastructure and welfare initiatives, such as the Rs. 10.94 lakh spent on projects in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
Water Conservation & Augmentation: Promoting integrated water resources management, with a commitment to maintaining a zero liquid discharge status.
Environment & Biodiversity Promotion: Nurturing aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems for a better environment and reduced emissions.
Waste Management & Sanitation: Implementing practices aimed at optimizing waste recovery and achieving ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’.
Promoting Sports, Art & Culture: Championing sports promotion and preserving India’s rich art and heritage, with 11 projects supported across art, culture, and heritage categories.
Agri-Initiatives: Supporting agricultural livelihoods within communities.

Measuring Success: Beneficiaries and Community Reach

The impact of JSW Steel’s CSR initiatives is widespread, directly touching the lives of millions. In FY 2024-25, the company’s CSR activities positively impacted over 30 lakh beneficiaries across its various focus areas. This extensive reach is a testament to the company’s commitment to identifying and addressing the concerns of vulnerable and marginalized stakeholder groups through methodologies like participatory rural appraisal and community need assessments.

Ensuring Integrity: Governance and Transparency

To uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, JSW Steel has established robust oversight mechanisms for its CSR endeavors. The company’s social development initiatives are primarily carried out through the JSW Foundation. A formal CSR Policy, approved by the Board of Directors, is publicly available on the company’s website, ensuring transparency. Furthermore, a Board-level Business Responsibility and Sustainability Committee oversees all sustainability efforts, ensuring accountability from the highest echelons of the organization. The composition of the CSR Committee and approved CSR projects are also disclosed online. The company’s integrated reporting framework, which includes the annual report on CSR activities, is assured by third-party providers for non-financial information, further bolstering credibility. JSW Steel also maintains a structured stakeholder grievance redressal mechanism, and notably, no admissible complaints related to human rights issues were received during the reporting year.

Beyond Philanthropy: A Holistic Approach

JSW Steel views sustainability not just as a responsibility but as a strategic business imperative, embedding it into the core of its value creation strategy. This holistic approach is evident in its commitment to “Zero Harm” for its people and communities, and its efforts to integrate cutting-edge technologies and data-driven solutions across its value chain to enhance operational efficiency, quality, safety, and sustainability. The company’s vision of responsible growth and meaningful difference to the lives of millions extends through every facet of its operations, from sustainable mining and product sustainability to employee well-being and supply chain integrity. This proactive stance, where social and environmental considerations are integrated into core business decisions, positions JSW Steel as a leader in fostering a more responsible and resilient industrial future.

Just as a mighty river, fed by countless tributaries, brings life and prosperity to all the lands it touches, JSW Steel’s comprehensive CSR initiatives, fueled by its financial commitments and strategic focus areas, aim to bring sustained positive change and upliftment to the communities it serves, building a more equitable and sustainable India.