New Delhi, April 20 -- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending by companies listed on the National Stock Exchange main board rose sharply by 23 per cent to Rs 22,212 crore in 2024-25, compared to Rs 18,011 crore in the previous financial year, according to a report by PrimeInfobase, an initiative of PRIME Database Group.

The increase in CSR expenditure was driven by a 22 per cent rise in the average net profit of these companies over the preceding three years, which determines mandatory CSR spending under regulatory norms, said Pranav Haldea, Managing Director, PRIME Database Group.

As per the Companies Act, eligible firms are required to spend two per cent of their average net profits of the last three financial years on CSR act...