Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting: A catalyst for transparency and long-term value

India has rapidly emerged as a global frontrunner in sustainability reporting, driven by increasing stakeholder expectations and regulatory momentum. With the introduction of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework in FY 2022–23, SEBI mandated structured ESG disclosures for the top 1,000 listed companies. Built on the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) and benchmarked against global frameworks such as GRI and TCFD, BRSR marks a transformational shift towards standardized, comparable and decision-useful sustainability reporting.

BRSR as a driver of ESG action

More than 1,100 Indian companies now disclose ESG performance across 1,200+ indicators, offering deep insights into environmental stewardship, social responsibility and governance maturity. Sector-wise analysis reflects progress—such as increased women’s participation and decline in Scope 1 and 2 emissions—alongside persistent challenges including rising Scope 3 emissions, limited renewable energy usage and inconsistencies in reporting quality. These mixed trends highlight the need for stronger ESG integration, better value chain data and enhanced internal controls.

BRSR core and the rise of sustainability Assurance

A major milestone in India’s ESG journey is BRSR Core, a focused set of 46 high-impact sustainability KPIs that now require reasonable or limited assurance in a phased manner for the top 1,000 listed companies by FY 2026–27. This move positions India as the world’s first country to mandate assurance on sustainability indicators at this scale. Early trends reveal strong corporate readiness—91% of the top 250 companies have already obtained reasonable assurance. This growing emphasis on verified, credible information strengthens investor trust and enhances the reliability of non-financial data.

Strengthening governance and oversight

Boards and audit committees are increasingly central to the ESG oversight framework. Their responsibilities now extend beyond approving disclosures to ensuring robust data controls, assessing sustainability risks, integrating ESG into corporate strategy, and overseeing internal and external assurance. Digital tools, automated data systems and capacity building are becoming essential to navigating the complexity of ESG reporting.

The road ahead

BRSR is no longer a compliance exercise—it is a strategic lever for value creation. Companies that invest in transparent reporting, strong governance and credible assurance will be better equipped to attract investors, manage risks, enhance reputation and contribute meaningfully to India’s sustainable development agenda. As global standards converge and regulatory expectations heighten, BRSR positions India’s corporate sector as an emerging global leader in responsible business conduct.

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