CSR Policy

INTRODUCTION

Peopleist India Private Limited firmly believes that businesses have a vital role to play in fostering sustainable development and contributing to the well-being of society. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy outlines our commitment to integrating social, environmental, and economic considerations into our business operations in a responsible manner that benefits all stakeholders and the communities we serve.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 (“the Act”) read with the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014 (“the Rules”), the Company has adopted the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy (“CSR Policy”) of Peopleist India Private Limited, as approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on 11th March, 2025.

COMPANY’S PHILOSOPHY FOR CSR POLICY

At Peopleist India Private Limited, we believe that true business excellence is measured notby financial success , but by the positive, lasting impact we create in the lives of individuals, businesses, and the communities we serve.

The name " embodies our core philosophy—that people are the most powerful agents of change. As specialists in business performance, we believe that empowering individuals with the right mindset, skills, and support doesn’t just elevate business outcomes—it transforms communities. By nurturing leadership, fostering entrepreneurship, and building human potential, we contribute to a society where individuals are not only successful, but also socially responsible, resilient, and equipped to uplift others. Our people-first approach drives inclusive growth and lasting social impact.

The Company recognizes that its growth trajectory is inherently linked to the well-being and development of the wider community. In this context, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is viewed not merely as a statutory requirement, but as a strategic and moral imperative.

Our CSR philosophy aligns with our belief in the transformational power of knowledge, mentorship, and innovation, and supports India’s broader development goals as well as global sustainability objectives. , we are committed to a :

Economic Empowerment – Enabling individuals and small businesses to unlock economic opportunities through access to education, skill-building, and entrepreneurial coaching.
Social Development – Supporting inclusive growth by mentoring underserved youth, women entrepreneurs, and first-generation business leaders.
Environmental Awareness – Promoting sustainable thinking and responsible practices in entrepreneurship and leadership

At its core, our CSR philosophy embodies the conviction that true empowerment extends beyond individual success—it serves as a catalyst for lasting, systemic transformation. Through our dedicated programs and initiatives, we strive to create meaningful value for society by nurturing responsible leadership, fostering inclusive growth, and uplifting communities—building a better future one individual, one organization, and one community at a time.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE

In accordance with the amended provisions of Section 135(9) of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules made thereunder, the Company is not required to constitute a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, as its CSR expenditure obligation does not exceed ₹50,00,000 in the applicable financial year.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors shall undertake all responsibilities and functions related to CSR, including planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring of CSR activities, as prescribed under Section 135 of the Act and the applicable CSR Rules.

CSR matters shall be placed before the Board at its meetings and decided in accordance with the quorum and procedures prescribed under Sections 173 and 174 of the Companies Act, 2013.

If at any time the CSR obligation of the Company exceeds ₹50,00,000, the Board may constitute or reconstitute a CSR Committee in compliance with the applicable legal provisions.

Responsibilities of the Board with respect to CSR shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Formulating and approving the CSR Policy and any amendments thereto;
Determining the amount of expenditure to be incurred on CSR activities during each financial year;
Approving and overseeing the implementation of the annual action plan in pursuance of the CSR Policy;
Monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of CSR projects and programs; and
Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, including disclosures and reporting under the Companies Act, 2013.

An annual action plan in pursuance of the CSR policy in accordance with the applicable law, and inclusive of the following items:

A list of CSR projects or programmes to be undertaken in alignment with Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013;
the manner of execution of such projects or programmes;
the modalities of utilisation of funds and implementation schedules for the projects or programmes
monitoring and reporting mechanism for the projects or programmes; and

Details of any need and impact assessments, where applicable.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CSR POLICY

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for implementing the CSR Policy and ensuring that the CSR activities are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014, and the Annual Action Plan.

Mode of Implementation: The CSR Activities may be undertaken by the Company directly or with the prior approval of the Board, through any of the following entities as “Implementation Agency” being duly registered with the Central Government and having a unique CSR Registration Number (with effect from 1 April 2021):

Company established under section 8 of Indian Companies Act 2013, or Trust, or Society registered under section 12-A and 80-G of the Income Tax Act 1961, being established by the Company, either singly or along with any other company;
Company established under section 8 of Indian Companies Act 2013, or Trust, or Society, being established by (Indian) Central Government or (Indian) State Government;
Company established under section 8 of Indian Companies Act 2013, or Trust, or Society registered under section 12-A and 80-G of the (Indian) Income Tax Act 1961, and having an established track record of at least three years in undertaking similar CSR activities; or
Any entity established under an act of (Indian) Parliament or a (Indian) State Legislature.

The Board shall be empowered to finalize, approve, and execute various agreements, deeds, undertakings, confirmations, or other necessary documents with Implementing Agencies or other relevant parties for the execution of CSR activities. The Board may also accept modifications, changes, or amendments to such documents as it may deem appropriate for effective implementation of the CSR Policy.

CSR EXPENDITURE

The Company shall spend at least 2% (two percent) of average Net Profits of the Company made during the three immediately preceding financial years in accordance with the Act and the Rules and the CSR Policy.
As the Company is not required to constitute a CSR Committee, the Board of Directors shall be solely responsible for determining and approving the manner in which the CSR expenditure is to be incurred, based on the Annual Action Plan and applicable legal provisions.
The Board shall approve and sanction the CSR budget and ensure that the funds are disbursed and utilized in a timely and efficient manner for the approved CSR projects or programmes.
Any surplus arising out of the CSR Activities shall not form part of the business profit of the Company and may only be re-allocated to the CSR Activities being undertaken in terms of this CSR Policy and the annual action plan for the financial year in which such surplus has arisen.

CSR ACTIVITIES

The Board shall ensure that the CSR Activities that are undertaken by the Company should be within the scope of the following activities:
Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition, promoting health care including preventive health care and sanitation including contribution to the Swach Bharat Kosh set-up by the Central Government for the promotion of sanitation and making available safe drinking water;
Promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills especially among children, woman, elderly, and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects;
Promoting gender equality, empowering women, setting up homes and hostels for women and orphans, setting up old age homes, day care centres and such other facilities for senior citizens and measures for reducing inequalities faced by socially and economically back ward groups;
Ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare, agro forestry, conversation of natural resources and maintaining quality of soil, air and water including contribution to the Clean Ganga Fund set-up by the Central Government for rejuvenation of river Ganga;
Protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration of buildings and sites of historical importance and works of arts; setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional arts and handicrafts;
Measures for the benefit of armed forces veterans, war windows and their dependents, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) veterans, and their dependents including widows;
Training to promote rural sports, nationally recognized sports, paralympic sports and Olympic sports;
Contribution to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund or Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) or any other fund set up by the Central Government for social-economic development and relief and welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women;
Contribution to incubators or research and development projects in the field of science, technology, engineering and medicine, funded by the Central Government or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking or any agency of the Central Government or State Government, and contributions to public funded Universities; Indian Institute of Technology (IITs); National Laboratories and autonomous bodies established under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE); Department of Biotechnology (DBT); Department of Science and Technology (DST); Department of Pharmaceuticals; Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH); Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and other bodies, namely Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO); Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), engaged in conducting research in science, technology, engineering and medicine aimed at promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
Rural development projects;
Slum area development;
Any other project as may be specified under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, from time to time.
The CSR Activities will be carried out in a manner that the preference is to undertake the CSR Activities in and around the local areas where the Company operates.
Based on the scope of activities set out above, the Board shall identify and approve specific CSR activities to be undertaken based on the above scope, and incorporate the same into the Company’s Annual Action Plan for CSR.
In case any CSR activity qualifies as an ongoing project (i.e., a multi-year project having a duration of more than three years, excluding the year of commencement), the Board shall ensure that a detailed implementation schedule with milestones and timelines is prepared and monitored.

MONITORING PROCESS

The Board of Directors shall monitor the implementation of CSR activities to ensure that the objectives of the CSR Policy are met in an effective, timely, and transparent manner. The utilization of funds sanctioned for CSR initiatives shall be periodically reviewed by the Board.
Where CSR activities are undertaken through any Implementing Agency, the Company shall obtain periodic progress reports, financial updates, and supporting documentation from such agency. The Board shall ensure that the implementation is in accordance with the approved plan, budget, and timeline.
For effective oversight, the Board may, at its discretion, conduct site visits, review implementation records, or assign internal personnel to evaluate the progress of CSR projects. Additional inspections or evaluations may be carried out as deemed necessary to ensure proper governance and impact assessment.

REPORTING AND RECORD KEEPING

The Company shall maintain proper records of all discussions, resolutions, and actions taken in relation to CSR, including minutes of Board meetings where CSR matters are considered.
The Board's report of the Company shall include an annual report on CSR containing the particulars and such other details as may be prescribed from time to time under the Act and the CSR Rules.
In respect of the reporting, the Board will be responsible to ensure that:
The report of the Board includes the annual report on CSR Activities of the Company and sets out the requisite information in terms of the Act and the Rules;
The contents of the latest and updated version of the CSR Policy is included in the report of the Board;
The contents of the CSR Policy along with composition of the CSR committee, and projects approved by the Board are also made available on the website (if any) of the Company.
In case of failure to ensure the minimum CSR Expenditure, detailed reasons for the same are adequately disclosed in the Board Report and ensure that the unspent amount is transferred as per the provisions of sections 135(5) and 135(6) of the Act.

AMENDMENT

The Board of the Company may, subject to compliance with applicable law, at any time alter, amend or modify the CSR Policy as it deems fit to comply with the statutory obligation of the Company to undertake the CSR Activities.