Shailesh Chandra, SIAM president.

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) urged the automobile industry to move from compliance-driven corporate social responsibility (CSR) to partnership-led impact creation, positioning CSR as a key enabler of inclusive and sustainable national development.

Speaking at the 7th SIAM CSR Conclave themed ‘CSR Partnerships – From Shared Vision to Shared Value’, industry leaders, policymakers and civil society representatives discussed how collaborative models could help scale measurable social outcomes.

Opening the session, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said the industry’s approach to CSR must be aligned with long-term nation-building goals. “The Viksit Bharat 2047 vision can only be realised through an ecosystem where businesses look beyond sectoral growth and include civil society, health, sanitation and social development,” he said, adding that the auto sector’s deep manufacturing footprint gives it significant community touchpoints.The event also marked the release of SIAM’s CSR Compendium, showcasing initiatives undertaken by member companies across priority areas.

‘CSR must move from backroom to boardroom’

Guest of Honour Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee, Director General and CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, said CSR in India has evolved from philanthropic activity to a structured pillar of governance but must now enter its next phase.

“In India, CSR began as charity at home and was long seen as the government’s responsibility. Today, it is a powerful opportunity,” he said. “CSR 2.0 calls for fresh thinking, greater professionalisation and use of technology such as AI for verifiable data and impact measurement.”Chatterjee also emphasised the automobile sector’s responsibility in areas such as waste management, process re-engineering and carbon capture. “CSR must move from the backroom to the boardroom, driven by governance and long-term commitment,” he added.Puneet Anand, Chairman of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Associate Vice President at Hyundai Motor India Ltd., highlighted that India remains the first country to mandate CSR spending by law.

“Nearly 800 organisations have collectively invested about ₹2.2 lakh crore so far,” Anand said, calling on corporates to go beyond the statutory 2 per cent requirement. “The sector must now deliver measurable outcomes, strengthen employability and create replicable district-level models through partnerships.”

Focus on education, skilling and road safety

Thematic discussions during the conclave focused on four CSR pillars: environmental rejuvenation and circular economy, road safety and education, health and sanitation, and skills development and employability.

Rajendra Raut, Co-Chair of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Director (Corporate & Government Affairs) at JSW MG Motor India, said education remains a foundational enabler across all CSR interventions.

“Our outreach must shift from a donor-recipient approach to partnership and co-creation. Without informed communities and empowered youth, even well-designed CSR programmes struggle to scale,” he said.

A separate panel discussion examined collaboration models between corporates and non-governmental organisations, with participants stressing transparency, alignment with national priorities and measurable impact.

Rajeev Taneja, Co-Chair of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Vertical Head – CSR Operations at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., said the next phase for the industry would require a move “from compliance to conviction”.

“Behind every CSR programme lies a human story. The industry must now focus on outcomes through stronger transparency and cross-industry collaboration, especially in priority geographies,” he said.

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