Annual filings by companies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure have exceeded Rs 1,44,159 crore over five fiscal years from 2019-20 to 2023-24, as per government data. Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, mentioned that all details regarding CSR spending, including state-wise, year-wise, company-wise, and project-wise data, are publicly accessible through the MCA21 registry. He emphasized that CSR activities are driven by the company’s board, which is responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring such initiatives.
Rule 8 of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 mandates that companies with an average CSR obligation of Rs 10 crore or more in the preceding three financial years must conduct impact assessments, through independent agencies, for CSR projects with outlays exceeding Rs one crore and completed at least a year before the assessment. The period from 2021 to 2025 witnessed approximately 3.84 crore filings via MCA21, with 3.33 crore filings approved through the Straight Through Process, while 40.8 lakh filings were sanctioned by the Registrar of Companies and Regional Directors, and 8.3 lakh forms were rejected by concerned officers.
The launch of MCA21 Version-3 (MCA21 V3) aims to enhance Ease of Doing Business, ensure compliance, and boost transparency, according to the minister. Various features such as Web filings, LLP Module, Company module, e-Enforcement, e-Adjudication, e-Consultation, and e-Book Learning Management System have been integrated into MCA21 V3. Additionally, a help desk has been set up to handle grievances related to the MCA21 portal, with 98% of the 3,16,877 help desk tickets raised up to January 31, 2026, successfully resolved. These tickets encompassed technical issues, awareness problems, processing-related requests, and stakeholder feedback, reflecting the high transaction volume of the MCA21 system.
