National CSR Summit 2026 organised by Times of India Group

I touch and salute the holy feet of Bharat Mata- The Most powerful and the most Merciful. My Namaskar to all the dignitaries who are sharing the dais with me on this occasion of National CSR Summit 2026. I appreciate the Times of India Group for convening this National CSR Summit. This platform brings together leadership, ideas and call for ‘action’ which matters a lot in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.

We meet at a time of profound transformation. India is not merely growing- India is reshaping its destiny. Over the last decade, under the progressive and decisive leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, India has witnessed structural reforms and inclusive expansion at a massive scale. From a fragile 10th economy, we have become the 4th largest economy of the world and are on way to become the 3rd largest economy. Villages have been connected to cities with roads; and cities have been connected with expressways to the metropolitan. Digital platforms have connected citizens. Financial inclusion has empowered millions. Due to these efforts, more than 25 crore citizens have come out of extreme poverty. Aspirations have risen across regions and communities. But the next phase of development demands something more. It demands partnership.

Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer peripheral to business strategy. It is central to national progress. CSR is where enterprise meets empathy. It is where balance sheets meet human stories. It is where growth acquires purpose.

Today, India is a global hub for innovation, startups, technology and manufacturing. Yet our greatest strength is our people — young, skilled, positively ambitious, and determined. Our national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat calls for resilience and global competitiveness rooted in domestic strength.
And as we move toward Viksit Bharat @ 2047, marking 100 years of independence, our ambition is clear — to transform India into a fully developed, inclusive and innovation-driven nation. The responsibility before us is clear. We must ensure that development is broad-based. We must ensure that prosperity is inclusive. We must ensure that sustainability is non-negotiable.

CSR can play a transformative role in this mission. It can strengthen public education systems. It can enhance primary healthcare in remote districts. It can drive skill development aligned with Industry. It can support women-led enterprises. It can accelerate the green transition through renewable energy and climate resilience initiatives.

This is not about compliance with the law. It is about commitment to the nation. When corporate India invests in communities, it builds social capital. When it invests in sustainability, it secures long-term growth. When it invests in youth and innovation, it fuels the demographic dividend.

The dynamic and visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji has laid a strong policy foundation — ease of doing business, digital governance, transparent systems, and targeted welfare delivery. But policies alone cannot transform a nation. Transformation happens when government, industry and civil society move in alignment. This alignment is the spirit of this summit.

Responsible capitalism is not a contradiction. It is a necessity. Profit and purpose must move together. Innovation and inclusion must advance together. Growth and sustainability must reinforce each other. I am sure this summit will not end with conversations, but will lead to fresh commitments. It will create replicable models that can be scaled across states and sectors.

India’s development story is being written in real time. The choices we make today will define the next generation. I urge corporate leaders here to think boldly. To invest strategically. To measure impact rigorously. And to view CSR not as expenditure, but as nation-building capital. Together, we can build an India that is confident in the world and compassionate at home. I wish the Summit a grand success.

Jai Hind!
Long Live Mother Bharat!