Corporate Social Responsibility- From charity to responsibility in context with Indian situation

ABSTRACT Conceptually the corporate social responsibility has covered a long journey from charity to Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), to voluntary guidelines, to being included in the Companies Act, 2013. The research for this paper was carried on by reviewing a large collection of publications on the subject of CSR. Some authors think that it has been in existence from the time the business existed, others think it is a relatively new concept. According to WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development)“Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the community and society at large.” This paper is an attempt to trace the historical roots of the concept from ancient times to the modern days and to understand the significance of CSR to address developmental issues needing attention of all concerned to make decent living conditions for all in this country where almost about one-fourth of its population is still living below poverty line. Keywords: CSR, MDGs