Has BRSR Strengthened CSR and Sustainability Practices in India?

Over the past decade, Indian consumers have become more attentive to how firms conduct their business, not only in terms of product quality but also in terms of environmental impact, labour practices, and ethical governance. Greater public awareness of climate change, workplace safety, and social responsibility has increased demand for transparency and accountability from corporations. In this context, regulatory initiatives that improve disclosure play an important role in shaping consumer trust and confidence. The introduction of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in 2021 has strengthened this transparency by requiring firms to disclose standardized information on sustainability and governance. For consumers, BRSR improves access to comparable information, enabling them to distinguish between firms that genuinely integrate responsible practices and those that merely engage in symbolic compliance.

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