Overview
The CSR division of NSDC aims to co-create transformative flagship programs that advance entrepreneurship and skill development as pathways to socio-economic empowerment. With a strong focus on improving quality of life, resilience and income generation, these initiatives prioritize vulnerable groups and marginalized communities ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources amongst them.
Objective
CSR: From Funding Activities to Creating Outcomes
NSDC’s CSR initiatives are designed to create measurable socio-economic impact by focusing not just on training, but on sustainable livelihoods. Every program is built around the learner’s journey-enabling individuals to gain skills, secure employment, pursue entrepreneurship, increase incomes, and improve their quality of life.
Through partnerships with corporates, industry, training providers, employers, and community organizations, NSDC creates an ecosystem that supports learners from aspiration to achievement, with a special focus on youth, women, persons with disabilities, transgender persons, minorities, and other underserved communities.
The NSDC Difference
Traditional CSR Approach
Investment → Training → Program Completion
NSDC CSR Approach
Investment → Skills → Certification → Employment/Entrepreneurship → Higher Income → Improved Quality of Life → Community Impact
By focusing on outcomes rather than activities, NSDC helps maximize the social and economic value of every CSR investment.
Why Choose NSDC CSR: -
• Outcome-Focused: Success is measured through employment, entrepreneurship, income enhancement, and livelihood outcomes.
• Industry-Aligned: Programs are designed in collaboration with industry to deliver market-relevant and future-ready skills.
• End-to-End Support: Learners benefit from counselling, training, certification, placement assistance, entrepreneurship support, and market linkages.
• Inclusive Growth: Dedicated efforts ensure equitable access to opportunities for underserved and marginalized communities.
• Scalable & Sustainable: Leveraging India’s largest skilling ecosystem, NSDC enables efficient, transparent, and high-impact CSR implementation at scale.
Guided by NSDC’s Core Values
Adaptable:Responsive to changing industry needs, emerging opportunities, and learner aspirations.
Trustworthy: Driven by transparency, accountability, quality, and measurable impact.
Selfless: Committed to empowering underserved communities through equitable access to skills, livelihoods, and economic opportunities.
Empowering Aspirations. Multiplying Impact. Transforming Lives.
NSDC’s CSR programs combine skilling, entrepreneurship, employment linkages, and ecosystem partnerships to create sustainable livelihoods and lasting social impact—helping corporates maximize the value of every CSR rupee invested. Empowering Aspirations. Multiplying Impact. Transforming Lives.
NSDC’s CSR programs are built on a learner-centric and outcome-driven philosophy that goes beyond training to create sustainable livelihoods and measurable social impact. By combining industry-aligned skilling, entrepreneurship promotion, employment linkages, and ecosystem partnerships, NSDC enables corporates to create transformational change while maximizing the impact of every CSR rupee invested.
NSDC's Models for CSR Programs
Candidate Sponsorship for Skill Development
- Sponsor candidates for skill development programs in priority sectors, with a focus on livelihoods, persons with disabilities, and underserved geographies.
- Enable access to quality training through partnerships with NSDF, NSDC (as applicable), and NSDC Training Partners.
- Provide industry exposure and on-the-job training using available company facilities and machinery.
- Support candidates from training to certification and employment opportunities.
- Ensure quality implementation and project management through NSDC at a nominal cost (as per Common Norms Gazette Notification).
Career Advancement & Employability Centre
- Industry-aligned multi-sector training.
- Advanced practical learning facilities.
- Specialized and future-ready skill programs.
- Certification and career guidance.
- Placement and livelihood support.
- Exposure to global best practices.
- Co-branded with Skill India.
Industry-Ready Skill Labs
- Establish and upgrade trade-specific skill labs with industry-standard equipment.
- Deliver hands-on training aligned to evolving workforce and industry needs.
- Strengthen industry connect through apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and expert-led sessions.
- Enable continuous learning through technology and knowledge-based interventions.
- Support inclusive skilling by leveraging government schemes for underserved and aspiring youth.
Accessible Skill Development Infrastructure
- Provide land, buildings, machinery, and training facilities for skill development initiatives.
- Support training programs through infrastructure enhancement and equipment provisioning.
- Enable high-employment-potential programs such as driving, construction, and other industry-focused trades.
- Deliver training through NSDC-affiliated partners to ensure quality and industry alignment.
- Support candidate sponsorship to improve access to skilling and employment opportunities.
Career Readiness & Skill Mentorship
- Industry and NSDC collaboration to deliver high-quality, industry-aligned skilling programs.
- Access to modern training centres and multi-skill learning environments.
- Training aligned with NSQF standards and sector-specific workforce needs.
- Guidance from industry experts, master trainers, and experienced assessors.
- Continuous curriculum enhancement through Sector Skill Councils.
- Strong focus on employability, certification, and career progression.
Supporting Apprenticeship through CSR
- As per the Apprentices Act, 1961, apprenticeship training may be mandated in any area or industry as notified by the Central Government from time to time. Companies covered under the Act are required to undertake skill training in accordance with its provisions.
- To engage apprentices beyond the statutory requirements of the Apprentices Act, 1961, companies may utilize CSR funds, as skill training is covered under Item (ii) of Schedule VII of the Companies Act.
- CSR funding for apprenticeship training may include expenditure on Basic Training and the stipend payable to apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
- Expenditure on apprenticeship training beyond the mandatory 2.5% requirement (as prescribed under the Apprentices Act) may also be supported through CSR funding.
Sponsorship for Entrepreneurship and Training for Livelihood Promotion.
- Skill development and training for entrepreneurs.
- Facilitate business planning and market linkages.
- Build long-term resilience.
CSR on Social Stock Exchange (SSE)
- Provide grants through the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) by subscribing to Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments.
- Up to 10% of the total CSR budget may be invested through the Social Stock Exchange (SSE).
- Measure and assess social impact through independent Social Stock Assessors.
- Enable multiple CSR donors to collaborate and jointly support a single project through the Social Stock Exchange (SSE).
Skill Impact Bond
- India’s first Development Impact Bond for skilling, focused on placement and retention.
- Mobilizes private risk capital to fund training upfront, with repayment based on verified outcomes.
- Targets skilling and employment opportunities for 50,000 youth, with a strong focus on women’s participation.
- Links funding to independently verified outcomes, ensuring accountability and measurable impact.
Outcome-Based & Innovative Finance
- Structure outcome-based financing by aggregating philanthropic, CSR, multilateral, and government capital.
- Establish multi-donor platforms to mobilize private and CSR investment in skilling.
- Drive payment-by-results models to achieve stronger skilling outcomes.
World Skills.
- Empower high-potential youth through advanced training, industry mentorship, and access to future-ready technologies.
- Transform exceptional talent into global champions through specialized coaching, skill development, and competition readiness.
- Drive employment, skill excellence, and nation-building while creating meaningful ESG impact for CSR partners.
International Mobility
- Provide training in foreign languages, cultural integration, and workplace etiquette for sectors such as Hospitality, Healthcare, Agriculture, Construction, and Manufacturing.
- Offer skill certification through international assessments aligned with the requirements of foreign employers.
- Facilitate overseas job placements, including post-placement support for candidates.
Key Projects under the Program:
- Skills on Wheels.
- International Mobility for Specified Skilled Worker (SSW).
- Skilling Program for the Transgender Community.
- Disaster Management Program.
- Micro Entrepreneurship Program.
- Digital Skills for Women’s Workforce Participation.
- Digital and Offline Skills (DOST).
- Future Ready Skill Initiative.
- Being Inclusive towards Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
- Skilling Program for Jail Inmates.