Bengaluru: In a push to become the highest corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds recipient in the country, Karnataka has targeted a significant climb up to Rs 9,700 crore by financial year 2028-29. Currently, the state ranks third in the country below Maharashtra and Gujarat with a total CSR spend of Rs 3,395 crore spent during FY 2024-25.According to Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the state currently occupies 8-9% of the national CSR pool. KDEM said while Karnataka holds its share year after year growing in lockstep with the national figures, it is not pulling ahead. As of now, 2,969 companies have been contributing funds to the state during the last five years.Chief minister DK Shivakumar, who addressed investors at the CSR conclave organised by Greater Bengaluru IT Companies and Industries Association (GBITCIA), said the state’s current spending of Rs 3,394 crore is very low. About Rs 10,000 crore needs to be spent annually, and an IAS officer will look into this. In addition, big educational institutions should adopt and maintain one govt school each in the state.Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, KDEM, said Karnataka has prioritised utilisation of these funds in the education sector more than any other state. He said 46% is the national average for education, whereas Karnataka receives 49% of its CSR funds for it.As per KDEM data, Bengaluru Urban and Rural utilises 65-70% of the state’s CSR funds while the remaining goes to some important industrial belts near the city. Gupta said less than 10% goes to other cities of the state.
