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Why Choose ThinkCap for CSR Consulting?

ThinkCap Advisors is a CA-led CSR consulting firm in India, providing end-to-end Corporate Social Responsibility consulting services under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013. Our services include CSR policy drafting, NGO due diligence, impact assessment, annual CSR reporting, corporate foundation setup, and tax-efficient CSR structuring.

 

Our team of Chartered Accountants and social sector professionals supports companies at every stage of the CSR lifecycle — ensuring

regulatory compliance, maximising social impact, and minimising compliance risk. We have worked with leading companies across industries by providing customized CSR advisory services to help them comply with the regulations.

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CSR Policy Drafting, Annual Action Plan and Statutory Disclosures

Our CSR consultants drafts CSR policies that meet all requirements under the CSR Rules 2014 (as amended in 2021), covering: thematic area selection under Schedule VII, annual action plans with activity-wise budgets, monitoring frameworks, and statutory disclosure obligations.

Quantification of CSR obligation

Part of our CSR consulting services includes accurate calculation of the net profit, to be allocated for CSR activities. Accurate quantification of the net profit is crucial for CSR compliance and effective planning & utilization of CSR funds.

CSR Project Design 

Our CSR consultants review and structure CSR project designs to ensure that all necessary activities — sequenced correctly and resourced adequately — are built into the program from the outset. Our approach ensures alignment between project objectives, budget allocation, and on-ground delivery, reducing the risk of mid-project gaps that can dilute outcomes.

Baseline Studies and Needs Assessment

Our corporate social responsibility consultants conduct baseline studies to identify the social, economic, and environmental challenges in the targeted areas. This ensures CSR programs address the specific needs and contribute to sustainable development.  

Identifying Implementing Agencies

Part of our CSR consulting services includes identifying and selecting suitable implementation agencies. This involves evaluating the agency's capabilities, track records, and its alignment with the company's CSR goals.

NGO Due Diligence and Pre-Grant Review of Implementing Partners

Our CA-led NGO due diligence service protects companies from CSR fund

misuse and regulatory non-compliance. We conduct due diligence of implementation partners covering areas: partner profile, human resource base, public domain check, partnership & contract process, systems & data management, registration related details, statutory compliance & over 100 other advanced parameters. 

Monitoring of CSR Activities

We monitor CSR activities by conducting regular field visits and review of project-related documents submitted by implementing partners. Periodic monitoring enables us to identify gaps in project outcomes and address issues promptly.

CSR Impact Assessment 

Our CSR consultants conduct impact assessment studies to measure tangible outcomes of the CSR programs by deploying quantitative and qualitative methods. Our reports meet MCA Board disclosure requirements and are structured for management presentation. 

Social Return on Investment (SROI) Analysis

We conduct rigorous SROI analysis that identify and quantify the tangible and intangible benefits delivered to communities, helping companies communicate the true value of their CSR investments to Boards, regulators, and stakeholders. Our SROI reports provide credible basis for strategic decision-making — enabling you to prioritise high-impact programs, optimise resource allocation, and demonstrate accountability with evidence.

Reporting of CSR Activities

As a CSR consulting firm, we provide guidance and support in maintaining comprehensive records, preparing annual reports, and disclosure of CSR initiatives. This ensures our clients are well-prepared for audits, and any regulatory scrutiny

Setting up the Corporate Foundation

 We provide end-to-end support in setting up a corporate foundation—from selecting the right legal structure considering tax, governance, and flexibility, to managing registrations and approvals. We also assist with statutory filings to ensure ongoing compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Setting up Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for running the Foundation

Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consultants design Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the foundation, outlining guidelines for project selection, finance disbursement, monitoring mechanisms, and overall governance.

Accounting & Payroll processing for the Foundation

As part of our outsourcing services, we provide accounting and payroll processing services for the Corporate Foundation, in compliance with relevant regulations.

Our CSR Consulting Services

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Services > Social Sector > CSR Consulting Services

CSR Consulting Services In India

Clients we have worked with

At ThinkCap, we value each client relationship. We are proud to have partnered with some of the industry leaders, start-ups & innovative companies for their growth, sustainability, stability and prowess. We have led, walked with and founded new markets for more than 100 brands in the last few years. Here are a few of them.

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FAQs

The Answers You Need

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

In India, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the statutory obligation under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, requiring eligible companies to spend at least 2% of their average net profits of the preceding three financial years on Schedule VII activities — including education, health, environmental sustainability, rural development, and skill development. CSR in India is mandatory, not voluntary. Non compliance attracts financial penalties on the company

Which companies are required to comply with CSR ?

Under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, a company must comply with CSR obligations if it meets any one of these thresholds in the immediately preceding financial year: net worth of ₹500 crore or more; or turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more; or net profit of ₹5 crore or more. This applies to all companies registered in India — public, private, listed, unlisted — and to foreign companies with registered offices in India meeting these thresholds. Once triggered, the company must spend at least 2% of its average net profit (calculated under Section 198) on eligible CSR activities.

Who are CSR consultants/CSR consulting services firms ?

A CSR consulting firm helps companies meet their obligations under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 efficiently and strategically. Services include: calculating the CSR obligation under Section 198; drafting the CSR policy and annual action plan; identifying NGOs and conducting pre-grant due diligence; designing and monitoring CSR programmes; assisting in reporting requirements, conducting mandatory impact assessments for projects above prescribed threshold and advising on the tax treatment of CSR expenditure; A CA-led firm like ThinkCap Advisors also provides integrated legal and tax advisory — a capability most CSR consultants do not offer.

What are the services provided by a CSR consulting firm ?

ThinkCap provides six categories of service: CSR Compliance: Obligation calculation (Section 198), policy drafting, annual action plan,assisting in reporting requirements . NGO Management: Pre-grant due diligence, partner identification. Programme Management: Needs assessment, baseline studies, periodic monitoring, field visits, outcome tracking. Impact Assessment: Independent assessments prescribed under Rule 8(3) of CSR Rules, 2014 for projects with ₹1 crore+ outlays. Social Return On investment (SROI) analysis: quantifies impact in monetary terms for CSR investments Foundation Services: Legal structure advisory (Section 8 / Trust / Society), registration, tax and related compliances.

What is mandatory CSR impact assessment and when is it required?

Under Rule 8(3) of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014, companies with an average CSR obligation of ₹10 crore or more must commission an independent impact assessment for any CSR project with an outlay of ₹1 crore or more — completed not less than one year before the assessment date. The report must be placed before the Board and annexed to the Annual Report. ThinkCap Advisors is an eligible independent agency for conducting mandatory CSR impact assessments.

What is NGO due diligence for CSR and why is it important?

NGO due diligence — also called pre-grant due diligence — is a structured verification conducted before appointing an NGO as a CSR implementing partner. It verifies, financial integrity, governance standards, and past programme performance apart from M&E capabilities and potential reputational/financial risks that may arise by partnering with a non-profit. It protects companies from CSR fund misuse and regulatory non compliance. ThinkCap has directly uncovered NGO misreporting in client engagements. Read more: https://www.thinkcapadvisors.com/ngo-due-diligence-and-grant-audits

How is a company's CSR obligation calculated?

Under Section 135 read with Section 198 of the Companies Act 2013, the obligation is 2% of average net profit over the three immediately preceding financial years. Net profit under Section 198 differs from P&L net profit due to specific inclusions and exclusions. ThinkCap's Chartered Accountants calculate this precisely, eliminating the risk of underspend (attracting penalties under Section 135(7)) or overspend from errors.

Is CSR expenditure tax-deductible under the Income Tax Act?

No. CSR expenditure under Section 135 is explicitly excluded from deduction under Section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act 1961. However, contributions to certain approved funds under Schedule VII may qualify for Section 80G deduction. The tax treatment depends on the mode of implementation and the recipient's registration. ThinkCap's Chartered Accountants provide detailed tax advisory on CSR structuring as part of our end-to-end consulting engagement.

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