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CSR Times — NGO Rating 2026

Building Trust in India's Social Impact Ecosystem

One of India’s first independent, multi-dimensional rating framework for NGOs — designed to enhance credibility, transparency and impact across the social sector.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The Need for a Professional NGO Rating Framework

India has one of the world’s largest and most diverse NGO ecosystems. Estimates suggest there are 3+ million NGOs, working across sectors and delivering social impact across education, healthcare, livelihoods, climate & sustainability, rural development, gender and inclusion, skill development and community development. These organizations play a critical role in last-mile delivery, complementing government initiatives and addressing complex social challenges. CSR funding, philanthropic capital, foundations, and individual donors increasingly rely on NGOs to create measurable social impact. However, alongside this growth, the ecosystem faces an important structural gap: There is no widely accepted, independent, professional rating system for NGOs in India. This creates challenges for donors, CSR leaders, foundations, and even NGOs themselves. CSR Times NGO Rating is designed to address this gap – a professional, independent, multi-dimensional rating framework to enhance credibility, transparency, and impact.

Funding decisions today rely on:

Personal networks
Limited due diligence
Fragmented information
Self-reported impact data
Compliance-only assessments
Reputation rather than structured evaluation

A credible rating system can:

Build trust in the sector
Improve allocation of CSR & philanthropic capital
Encourage governance and transparency
Recognize high-performing NGOs
Enable scale for credible organizations
Strengthen accountability and impact measurement

OUR VISION

A first-of-its-kind NGO Rating in India

CSR Times has launched a professional, structured and independent rating ecosystem to give the necessary professional impetus to CSR funding growth and efficient utilisation. The long-term vision is to create:

a trusted national NGO credibility benchmark
a reference platform for CSR and foundations
a professionalisation movement in the social sector
a transparent impact ecosystem, and
a bridge between capital and credible NGOs.

OUR PRINCIPLES

Credibility is the cornerstone

The rating framework is built on seven core principles that define how we work.

Independent

Objective

Transparent

Multi-dimensional

Evidence-based

Development-oriented

Scalable

THE RATING FRAMEWORK

Five Critical Dimensions

NGOs are evaluated across five inter-connected layers — a holistic, multi-layered evaluation that ensures a balanced and credible rating.

Statutory Compliance & Legal Due Diligence

Layer 1
Mandatory compliances, registrations and core institutional documentation

Governance and Leadership

Layer 2
Strength of the board, leadership quality and institutional oversight

Financial Health, Reporting & Compliances

Layer 3
Financial discipline, statutory compliance, audit practices and reporting hygiene

Program Design, Execution & Impact

Layer 4
Implementation capability, operational excellence, evidence-based outcomes and monitoring systems

Sustainability, Scalability & Reputation

Layer 5
Long-term institutional strength, growth readiness and reputational integrity

RATING LEVELS

From Emerging to Strategic CSR Partner

★★★★★

Strategic CSR Partner

Exemplary governance, credibility and impact.

★★★★

Strong & Reliable

Strong institutional credibility.

★★★

Moderate Capacity

Established and reliable.

★★

High Support Needed

Emerging structured NGO.

★

Not Recommended

Significant gaps; not currently recommended.

BENEFITS

Value for the Entire Ecosystem

For Corporates, CSR Funding Organisations & Foundations

Better Funding Decisions

Portfolio Management

Governance & Compliance

Impact Optimization

For NGOs

Credibility & Visibility

Organizational Improvement

Funding Access

Institutional Growth

HOW IT WORKS

A Simple, Structured & Transparent Process

Application / Nomination

NGOs can:

apply directly
be nominated by CSR organizations
be recommended by foundations
be identified for sector evaluation.

Forms & Documentation

The NGO submits:

Registration details
Governance structure
Annual reports
Financial statements
Program information
Impact documentation
Policies and processes

Preliminary Review

Filled form is reviewed to:

Understand organizational maturity
Map programs and operations
Evaluate governance structure
Identify information gaps

Detailed Evaluation

Structured assessment across the five dimensions:

Governance & Leadership
Financial Integrity
Program Execution
Impact Measurement
Sustainability & Scalability

Interaction / Clarification

Structured conversations, if required, with:

Leadership team
Program heads
Finance representatives
Governance representatives

Rating Committee Review

An independent panel :

Reviews assessment findings
Ensures consistency
Validates scoring
Finalizes rating category

Final Rating

The NGO is assigned a rating level reflecting its overall credibility and capability.

Rating Communication

The NGO receives:

Rating outcome
Summary assessment insights
Strength areas
Improvement areas (where applicable)

Publication

Rated NGOs may be:

Listed on the platform
Shared with CSR organizations
Included in sector directories (Optional)
Highlighted as credible partners (Optional)

Periodic Review

Ratings will be:

Reviewed annually
Updated based on improvements
Revalidated upon request
Upgraded as institutions mature

GET STARTED

Strengthen Trust. Improve Impact.

If you are an NGO seeking independent validation, or a CSR / foundation looking for credible partners, the CSR Times NGO Rating is built for you. This is a 6-step nomination form covering organisation identity, statutory compliance, governance, financial health, programmes and technological adaptability. All the layers are mandatory to complete. Do not leave any question unanswered, write ‘NA’ if not applicable. Your progress is autosaved in your browser as you type.

NGO RATING APPLICATION FORM

Autosave Idle

ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION

A — Basic Information :

A1 Legal name of NGO

A2 Registered address

A3 Registration Type

A4 Year of Establishment

A5 Annual Revenue (₹)

A6 Thematic Focus Areas (Ctrl+Click to select multiple)

B — Head of the Organization :

B1 Name of HOO

B2 Designation

B3 Email Id

B4 Contact No.

C — Officer Handling this Nomination :

C1 Officer's Name

C2 Designation

C3 Email Id

C4 Contact No.

LAYER 1 - STATUTORY COMPLIANCE (Weightage 20%)

1A — Applicant has to provide the following documents :

1A1 Registration Certificate — Status

1A1 Upload

1A2 PAN Card — Status

1A2 Upload

1A3 12A / 12AB Registration Certificate — Status

1A3 Upload

1A4 80G Registration Certificate — Status

1A4 Upload

1A5 CSR-1 Registration (MCA Filing) — Status

1A5 Upload

1A6 FCRA (if applicable) — Status

1A6 Upload

1A7 MCA Annual Filings (Section 8 Companies) – Latest Filed Returns — Status

1A7 Upload

1A8 Income Tax Returns (IT Returns) – Last 3 Years — Status

1A8 Upload

1A9 NITI Aayog Registration (Darpan Unique ID) — Status

1A9 Upload

1A10 MOA filed with Registrar — Status

1A10 Upload

1A11 Rules & Regulations filed with Registrar — Status

1A11 Upload

LAYER 2 - GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP (Weightage 15%)

2A — Details of top 7 Board Members :

2A1 Board Member 1

2A1 Designation

2A1 Experience (Years)

2A1 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2A2 Board Member 2

2A2 Designation

2A2 Experience (Years)

2A2 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2A3 Board Member 3

2A3 Designation

2A3 Experience (Years)

2A3 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2A4 Board Member 4

2A4 Designation

2A4 Experience (Years)

2A4 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2A5 Board Member 5

2A5 Designation

2A5 Experience (Years)

2A5 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2A6 Board Member 6

2A6 Designation

2A6 Experience (Years)

2A6 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2A7 Board Member 7

2A7 Designation

2A7 Experience (Years)

2A7 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2B — Profiles of Committee Members

2B1 Finance Committee Member

2B1 Member's Designation

2B1 Brief Profile of the member (in 100 words)

2B2 Audit Committee Member

2B2 Member's Designation

2B2 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2B3 Governance Committee Member

2B3 Member's Designation

2B3 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2B4 HR Committee Member

2B4 Designation

2B4 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2B5 Project Committee Member

2B5 Designation

2B5 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2B6 Risk Committee Member

2B6 Designation

2B6 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

2B7 Details of any other Committee member/s

2C — Major Board-approved Policies / SOPs in place :

2C1 Procurement & Operations — Document Title

2C2 Delegation — Document Title

2C3 Financial Management — Document Title

2C4 Any other — Document Title

2D — Have you attached the following documents?

2D1 Minutes of Board Meetings (Last 4 Quarters)

2D1 Upload

2D2 Minutes of Audit Committee Meetings (Last 4 Quarters)

2D2 Upload

2D3 Major Board-approved Policies / SOPs

2D3 Upload

LAYER 3 - FINANCIAL HEALTH (Weightage 20%)

3A — Summary of organization's financial details, last 3 FYs

3A1 Total Income (in Lakh) — FY 25-26

3A1 Total Expenditure (in Lakh) — FY 25-26

3A1 Program cost vs admin expense ratio - FY 25-26

3A2 Total Income (in Lakh) — FY 24-25

3A2 Total Expenditure (in Lakh) — FY 24-25

3A2 Program cost vs admin expense ratio FY 24-25

3A3 Total Income (in Lakh) — FY 23-24

3A3 Total Expenditure (in Lakh) — FY 23-24

3A3 Program cost vs admin expense ratio - FY 23-24

3A1 Percentage of International Funding (if FCRA approved) — FY 25-26

3A2 Percentage of International Funding (if FCRA approved) — FY 24-25

3A3 Percentage of International Funding (if FCRA approved) — FY 23-24

3B — Details of your organization's top 5 donors

3B1 Donor 1 — Name

3B1 Website URL

3B2 Donor 2 — Name

3B2 Website URL

3B3 Donor 3 — Name

3B3 Website URL

3B4 Donor 4 — Name

3B4 Website URL

3B5 Donor 5 — Name

3B5 Website URL

3B6 Total how many donors support you?

3C — Documents — Have you provided the following?

3C1 Audited Financials (Last FY)

3C1 Upload

3C2 Minutes of Audit Committee Meetings (Last 4 Qrs.)

3C2 Upload

3C3 Statutory submissions and disclosures to Registrar / Authorities

3C3 Upload

3C4 Statutory Compliances — IT Filing (Last FY)

3C4 Upload

LAYER 4 - PROGRAMME DESIGN, EXECUTION AND OUCOME (Weightage 35%)

4A — Organizational Structure for Program Implementation :

4A1 No. of people involved

4B — Key Personnel and Experience of Program Evaluation (other than Board members) :

4B1 Key Personnel 1 — Name

4B1 Designation

4B1 Experience (Years)

4B1 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

4B2 Key Personnel 2 — Name

4B2 Designation

4B2 Experience (Years)

4B2 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

4B3 Key Personnel 3 — Name

4B3 Designation

4B3 Experience (Years)

4B3 Brief Profile (in 100 words)

4C — Major 3 Projects :

4C1 Project #1

4C1 Project Start Date

4C1 Project Status

4C1 Sector

4C1 Beneficiary Count

4C1 Budget (INR)

4C1 Utilization (INR)

4C1 Attach Programme Narrative (in guided template)

4C1 Attach 3rd Party Assessment/Impact Reports

4C2 Project #2

4C2 Project Start Date

4C2 Project Status

4C2 Sector

4C2 Beneficiary Count

4C2 Budget (INR)

4C2 Utilization (INR)

4C2 Attach Programme Narrative (in guided template)

4C2 Attach 3rd Party Assessment/Impact Reports

4C3 Project #3

4C3 Project Start Date

4C3 Project Status

4C3 Sector

4C3 Beneficiary Count

4C3 Budget (INR)

4C3 Utilization (INR)

4C3 Attach Programme Narrative (in guided template)

4C3 Attach 3rd Party Assessment/Impact Reports

4D — Attachments :

4D1 Organogram

4D1 Attach Organogram

4D2 Project Evidence

4C4 Attach Photographic evidence / Testimonials of beneficiaries / Case Studies / Success Stories related to these projects

LAYER 5 - REACH, ADAPTATION, REPUTATION (Weightage 10%)

5A — Geographical Reach :

5A1 Name/s of district and State/s

5B — Technology Adaptation (Tools used) :

5B1 Tools used for Baseline activities

5B2 Tools used for Monitoring the activities

5B3 Tools used for Field activity evaluation

5C — Reputation :

5C1 No. of Testimonials / Recommendation from Donors

5C2 Details of past awards and accolades

5D— Attachments :

5D1 Testimonials/Recommendations

5D1 Upload Testimonials / Recommendations

5D2 Awards/Accolades

5D2 Upload Certificates

5D3 Any other

5D3 Upload

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I/we hereby declare that all information and documents submitted are true, complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge. I/we understand that the submitted details may be used for due diligence, evaluation, recommendations to potential funders, and promotional purposes including llisting on our websites, publications, and other communication platforms. I/we further acknowledge that all information shared will be treated with strict confidentiality and will be used solely for the pupose of assessment and rating, unless otherwise requried for the above-mentioned uses.