Emerging CSR initiatives during COVID-19 in India: Implications for future

Though COVID-19 has receded in India to some extent, it has left indelible impacts on the business and sustainability practices. This pandemic is said to be the most vital global health tragedies of the century. It has posed one of the greatest challenges that the human race had confronted since the Second World War. Going beyond health complications, it was triggered countless difficulties. In view of the magnitude of the troubles triggered by the pandemic, wealthy sections from different fields including the corporate houses were encouraged to be a part of the collective fight against this disaster. Consequently, the socially responsible behaviour of the business organizations had come under public scrutiny. There was a need for the companies to adopt an innovative model to contribute to the social problems while simultaneously advancing their economic objectives. The top 100 business organizations as per the ‘Ranking of Responsible Business-2019’ in the country had made appreciative CSR efforts amidst the COVID-19 catastrophe. Based on review of relevant literature, along with appreciating their corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions to the Indian society during COVID-19, the current paper tries to assess its socioeconomic consequences on business and society.