Reliance Foundation has increased its corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending to Rs 2,248 crore in FY 2025-26, marking a rise of around 4.3 percent from the previous financial year. The Foundation said its social initiatives have now touched more than 9.7 crore lives across India since inception, reflecting its expanding focus on inclusive development and community welfare.
The philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries operates across sectors such as rural transformation, education, healthcare, women empowerment, sports development, disaster response, biodiversity conservation, and digital inclusion. According to the Foundation, its programmes currently cover nearly 98,000 villages and urban communities across all states and union territories in India.
Reliance Foundation stated that the increased CSR expenditure demonstrates its continued commitment to supporting national development priorities and improving the quality of life in underserved communities. The Foundation’s initiatives are aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas related to education, healthcare, gender equality, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
A major focus area for the organisation has been rural transformation. Through climate-resilient agriculture programmes, digital advisory services, and water conservation initiatives, Reliance Foundation has supported farmers and rural communities in adapting to changing environmental conditions. The Foundation’s Digital Farm Schools and climate-smart agriculture programmes have reached millions of farmers across India.
In the healthcare sector, Reliance Foundation has expanded access to affordable medical services through hospitals, mobile medical units, telemedicine support, and community health outreach programmes. Its healthcare initiatives have addressed issues such as maternal health, malnutrition, cancer awareness, tuberculosis, and preventive care in rural and urban areas.
Education remains another key area of intervention. The Foundation’s scholarship programme, launched in 2020-21, currently supports around 5,100 students annually. According to an independent impact assessment by Athena Infonomics India, every rupee invested in scholarships generated an estimated Rs 4.4 in social value by improving educational access, employability, and long-term opportunities for students.
Reliance Foundation has also expanded initiatives focused on women empowerment and digital literacy. Several programmes are aimed at enhancing financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, skill development, and digital access for women in rural communities. The Foundation said these interventions are helping women participate more actively in local economies and community leadership roles.
Sports development continues to be a flagship initiative under the Foundation’s CSR activities. Through grassroots sports programmes and youth engagement platforms, Reliance Foundation has worked to identify and nurture sporting talent across disciplines such as football, athletics, basketball, and cricket.
The Foundation also highlighted its work in disaster management and environmental sustainability. It has supported relief and rehabilitation activities during floods, cyclones, and public health emergencies while promoting biodiversity conservation and nature-based climate solutions in vulnerable regions.
Reliance Industries has consistently remained among India’s highest CSR spenders. The company spent Rs 2,156 crore on CSR initiatives during FY 2024-25 and Rs 1,592 crore in FY 2023-24, reflecting a steady rise in social sector investments over recent years.
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