New Delhi, June 20 -- Sports development is set to receive a significant boost from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) after the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) formally notified "Development of Sporting Activities" as a Common Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Theme for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28.

The move marks a major policy shift in the DPE's thematic approach towards CSR spending, which has traditionally focused on sectors such as education, healthcare, health and nutrition.

DPE had introduced the concept of a "Common CSR Theme" in 2018, identifying priority sectors including school education and healthcare, and advising CPSEs to channel at least 60 per cent of their CSR expenditure towards these areas. Over time, ...