India ESG rulebook
Regulatory tracker
ESG rules and circulars from Indian regulators, newest first, with who each applies to and when it takes effect.
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ESG & sustainability news
Green finance, disclosure rules, and governance developments as they happen.
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Regulatory updates
Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency
CAFE III fuel efficiency norms notified for passenger vehicles
Fleet CO2 targets fall from 113 g per km in FY 2026-27 to 78.9 g per km by FY 2031-32. Battery electric vehicles count as three vehicles, plug-in and flex-fuel strong hybrids as 2.5 and strong hybrids as 1.6. Makers can trade credits or buy them from BEE.
- Applies to:
- Makers of passenger vehicles under 3,500 kg
- Effective:
- 1 April 2027
Environment & climate
Responsible investing
ESG regulation
Ministry of Heavy Industries
PM E-DRIVE scheme extended to March 2028 for some categories
Support for electric buses, electric trucks and testing equipment continues to 31 March 2028 within the ₹10,900 crore outlay. Support for electric two-wheelers, e-rickshaws and three-wheelers ended on 31 March 2026.
- Applies to:
- EV makers, state transport undertakings, testing agencies
- Effective:
- 12 August 2026 (date reported)
Environment & climate
Responsible investing
Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency
Revised draft CCTS emission intensity targets for iron and steel
Revised draft targets cover 255 iron and steel entities, with compliance proposed from FY 2026-27. Final targets are still to be notified.
- Applies to:
- Iron and steel obligated entities
- Effective:
- Proposed from FY 2026-27
Environment & climate
ESG regulation
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
CSR spending allowed through Social Stock Exchange ZCZP instruments
New Rule 4A of the CSR Rules and a new Schedule VII item let companies meet up to 10% of yearly CSR spending by subscribing to ZCZP instruments of SSE-registered non-profits. Projects must be completed within three financial years, and the subscribing company does not need its own impact assessment for them.
- Applies to:
- Companies covered by Section 135
- Effective:
- 27 May 2026
Responsible investing
Corporate governance
ESG regulation
SEBI
Social Stock Exchange rules eased on subscription and registration
A ZCZP issue can now proceed at 50% subscription, instead of 75%, where the SSE has checked that the project remains viable at the smaller size. A registered non-profit can wait up to two years before raising funds, extendable by one year.
- Applies to:
- Non-profits registered on a Social Stock Exchange
- Effective:
- Immediate (April 2026)
Responsible investing
ESG regulation
European Union
Omnibus I in force, narrowing CSRD and CSDDD
CSDDD now covers EU companies with more than 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion turnover and non-EU companies with €1.5 billion EU turnover, applying from 26 July 2029. CSRD thresholds rise to more than 1,000 employees and €450 million turnover.
- Applies to:
- Large EU companies and non-EU groups with large EU operations; Indian suppliers indirectly
- Effective:
- 18 March 2026 (CSDDD applies from 26 July 2029)
ESG reporting
Social
ESG regulation