India’s Social Stock Exchange (SSE) is set to receive a fresh boost after the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) permitted companies to route a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure through the platform. The change is expected to widen funding avenues for non-profit organisations and strengthen transparency and accountability in the social impact ecosystem.

The MCA has amended Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, to recognise investments in certain Social Stock Exchange instruments as an eligible CSR activity. As per a Gazette Notification issued on May 27, 2026, “subscription to zero coupon zero principal instruments on Social Stock Exchange” has now been added to the list of approved CSR activities.

The amendment allows companies to allocate up to 10% of their total annual CSR budget towards not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) registered on the Social Stock Exchange through Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments.

The Social Stock Exchange serves as a dedicated platform that connects social enterprises and NPOs with donors, investors and other funding sources. Unlike conventional stock exchanges, where investments are made with the expectation of financial returns, the SSE is designed to facilitate measurable social impact.

According to the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the latest policy change could help scale up social financing in India by providing corporates with a regulated and disclosure-based channel to support impact-focused organisations. The exchange said the framework is expected to enhance transparency, credibility and the overall reach of funding within the social sector.

The idea of a Social Stock Exchange was first outlined by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the 2019 Budget, with the aim of bringing capital markets closer to the masses while advancing inclusive growth and financial inclusion.
With the amendment now in place, companies can incorporate SSE-based contributions into their CSR programmes through a structured and regulated mechanism. NSE said the move is likely to improve funding access for verified NPOs, strengthen governance and disclosure standards, encourage outcome-oriented philanthropy and foster greater trust and accountability across the social impact landscape.Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer at NSE, described the amendment as a significant development for India’s social sector. He said the provision would enable corporates to channel CSR funds through a transparent, regulated and impact-driven platform, helping improve trust, accountability and access to capital for social enterprises.

The MCA notification has come into effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

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