The Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment...

The Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2026 insert definitions of "Not for Profit Organization" and "zero coupon zero principal instrument" into the CSR Rules, aligning them with SEBI's social stock exchange framework. A new rule permits CSR implementation through such instruments, subject to the expenditure on the instrument not exceeding 10% of a company's total CSR spend for the financial year. A subscribing company is exempt from impact assessment for projects funded through the instrument. The issuing not-for-profit organisation must complete the project within three succeeding financial years and, on delisting, transfer unspent amounts to a Schedule VII fund and report compliance to SEBI. The remaining CSR Rule 4 provisions apply, except sub-rules (5) and (6).

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