Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs concluded the National Conference & Exhibition on ‘Leveraging CSR Excellence for Tribal Development’ on October 7, 2025, in New Delhi. The two-day event, held as part of the 2nd IICA CSR Day, underscored the need for inclusive, collaborative, and community-led approaches to strengthen CSR for tribal development and sustainable livelihoods.
Bringing together more than 400 participants from government, industry, academia, and civil society, the conference focused on aligning CSR strategies with national priorities and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, promoting self-reliant and empowered tribal communities. The valedictory session celebrated India’s rich tribal heritage through cultural performances symbolizing the strength and diversity of indigenous traditions.
Delivering the special address, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), K. Moses Chalai called on Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to adopt long-term, sustainable CSR programmes aimed at skill development, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship among tribal populations. He highlighted DPE’s CSR guidelines, urging enterprises to set clear objectives, measurable milestones, and defined outcomes to ensure genuine social and environmental impact. Chalai emphasized collaboration with local administrations, corporates, and civil society to make CSR a catalyst for inclusive national growth.
In her valedictory address, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, lauded IICA for fostering a multi-stakeholder platform advancing tribal development through CSR. She proposed a revamped CSR Exchange, an interactive digital platform to map projects, identify collaboration opportunities, and share best practices. Mukerjee underlined that community participation is central to the sustainability of CSR projects, calling for locally led, participatory, and culturally sensitive models that promote tribal leadership and ownership.
Director General & CEO, IICA, Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, highlighted the importance of data-driven and outcome-oriented CSR, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He urged companies to move beyond financial contributions by integrating technological and managerial expertise, focusing on impactful interventions over fund-based routing. Singh stressed the need for balanced geographical outreach, particularly in the North Eastern Region, and encouraged greater investment in research, innovation, and capacity building to foster long-term change.
Bo Beiskjaer, Chief of Resource Mobilization & Partnerships, UNICEF India, described CSR as a transformational tool linking tribal development with human and children’s rights. He called for co-created solutions and cross-sectoral collaboration to achieve measurable outcomes in health, education, and employability for tribal communities.
Dr. Garima Dadhich, Head, School of Business Environment, IICA, presented the session summary, emphasizing the integration of data, technology, and community consultation into CSR strategy. She highlighted the role of CSR in promoting traditional crafts, GI-tagged products, and local entrepreneurship as enablers of lasting impact.
In her vote of thanks, Dr. Dadhich acknowledged the support of the Ministries of Corporate Affairs, Tribal Affairs, and DoNER, the Department of Public Enterprises, and partners including HCL Foundation, TRIFED, GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation, UNICEF, and Spark Minda Foundation, along with 34 exhibitors and participants who contributed to the event’s success.
Conference concluded with a unified call for collaborative, evidence-based, and community-centric CSR that empowers tribal communities and accelerates India’s march toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
Source: PIB
