At the National Conference and Exhibition on Corporate Social Responsibility (NCCSR) 2026, held on October 6, 2026 at New Delhi, Ayush Gupta, Director (HR), GAIL (India) Limited, participated in the panel discussion on “Board Governance and Strategic Commitment in CSR”, alongside speakers from CPSEs, academia and the corporate sector.

During the discussion, Gupta highlighted that CSR is fundamentally about giving back to society and contributing towards social good. He emphasised that corporates should approach CSR with enthusiasm and a sense of purpose, rather than viewing it solely as a compliance requirement.

He also underscored the importance of outcome-oriented annual projects, while encouraging multi-year and long-duration initiatives that can create sustained and lasting impact.

Sharing about GAIL Utkarsh, GAIL’s flagship CSR project, as an example,  Gupta highlighted its focused preparation for IIT-JEE and NEET, supported by motivation and guidance from Top Management and the CSR team, along with exposure to career opportunities and placements. The initiative’s impact continues through its alumni, who return to teach and mentor newly enrolled students, carrying the impact forward.

Summing up his message on CSR in a single word, Gupta said: “Inclusive.”