Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a cornerstone of sustainable development strategies worldwide. In India CSR gained legal recognition through the Companies Act 2013 which mandated certain firms to allocate at least 2% of their net profits toward socially responsible activities. This paper explores the role of CSR in promoting sustainable development in India analyzing its impact on education healthcare environment and community development. It highlights case studies of companies such as Tata Infosys Reliance and Wipro which have pioneered CSR initiatives. The study also examines challenges such as compliance-driven approaches greenwashing and the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms. Findings suggest that while CSR has mobilized significant resources for development its transformative potential lies in integrating sustainability into corporate strategy fostering innovation and strengthening accountability frameworks.