India Compliance • Updated for FY 2025-26

BRSR Reporting Guide: Complete Compliance Guide

Everything Indian listed companies need to know about SEBI's Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework.

1000+
Companies affected
130+
Disclosure indicators
9
NGRBC Principles
2027
Assurance deadline

What is BRSR?

BRSR (Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting) is a sustainability disclosure framework introduced by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) in May 2021. It replaced the earlier Business Responsibility Report (BRR) and is aligned with the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC).

BRSR requires listed companies to disclose their ESG performance across standardized metrics, enabling investors and stakeholders to compare sustainability performance across companies and sectors.

BRSR Definition

BRSR is a standardized format for listed companies in India to report on ESG parameters aligned with 9 NGRBC principles. It provides comparable, consistent, and reliable sustainability data for investors and regulators.

BRSR vs BRR: Key Differences

AspectBRR (Old)BRSR (New)
Disclosures~50 indicators130+ indicators
Quantitative dataLimitedExtensive
Value chain coverageNoneRequired
AssuranceNot requiredRequired (Core)
International alignmentLimitedGRI, TCFD aligned

Who Needs to File BRSR?

Applicability

Top 1000 listed companies by market capitalization on BSE and NSE must file BRSR. This includes companies from all sectors — manufacturing, services, banking, IT, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Must File BRSR

  • • Top 1000 listed companies
  • • Both BSE & NSE listed
  • • All sectors included
  • • Parent company level

Voluntary (Encouraged)

  • • Other listed companies
  • • Large unlisted companies
  • • Companies seeking ESG rating
  • • Export-oriented businesses

BRSR Framework Structure

The BRSR report is divided into three main sections with increasing depth of disclosure.

A

Section A: General Disclosures

23 items

Company details, products/services, operations, employees, CSR details

B

Section B: Management & Process Disclosures

9 items

Policy commitments, governance structure, stakeholder engagement

C

Section C: Principle-wise Performance Disclosures

100 items

Performance against 9 NGRBC principles with essential & leadership indicators

BRSR Core vs Leadership Indicators

Section C contains both Essential (mandatory) and Leadership (voluntary) indicators for each of the 9 principles.

Essential Indicators

MANDATORY

  • 52 indicators across 9 principles
  • Must be disclosed by all companies
  • Quantitative & verifiable metrics
  • Forms basis of BRSR Core

Leadership Indicators

VOLUNTARY

  • 42 indicators across 9 principles
  • Encouraged for ESG leaders
  • More detailed disclosures
  • Improves ESG ratings

The 9 NGRBC Principles

P1

Ethics, Transparency & Accountability

Businesses should conduct with integrity, transparency, and accountability

5 essential3 leadership
P2

Sustainable & Safe Products

Products that are safe and sustainable throughout lifecycle

4 essential5 leadership
P3

Employee Well-being

Promote well-being of all employees including value chain

12 essential10 leadership
P4

Stakeholder Engagement

Respect interests and respond to stakeholder concerns

3 essential3 leadership
P5

Human Rights

Respect and promote human rights

5 essential5 leadership
P6

Environment

Protect and restore environment

12 essential8 leadership
P7

Public Policy

Responsible and transparent engagement in public policy

2 essential2 leadership
P8

Inclusive Growth

Support inclusive growth and equitable development

3 essential3 leadership
P9

Customer Value

Engage with consumers responsibly

6 essential3 leadership

Key BRSR Disclosures

Here are some of the most important disclosures required under BRSR:

GHG Emissions

Scope 1, 2 emissions and intensity. Scope 3 encouraged.

P6

Energy Consumption

Total energy, renewable share, intensity metrics

P6

Water Usage

Withdrawal, consumption, recycling by source

P6

Waste Generated

Hazardous & non-hazardous waste, disposal methods

P6

Employee Details

Gender, category, permanent vs contract

P3

Training Hours

Health & safety, skill training by category

P3

Complaints Data

Sexual harassment, discrimination, child labor

P5

CSR Expenditure

Amount spent, projects, impact assessment

P8

BRSR Timeline & Deadlines

2021

SEBI introduced BRSR format

2022-23

Voluntary adoption by top 1000 listed companies

2023-24

Mandatory for top 1000 listed companies

Mandatory
2024-25

BRSR Core (limited assurance) for top 150

Mandatory
2025-26

BRSR Core for top 250 companies

Mandatory
2026-27

BRSR Core for top 500 companies

Mandatory
2027-28

BRSR Core for top 1000 companies

Mandatory

How to Ensure BRSR Compliance

1

Gap Assessment

Identify current disclosure gaps against BRSR requirements. Map existing data sources to BRSR indicators.

2

Data Collection System

Set up systems to collect required data from all facilities, departments, and value chain partners.

3

Policy Review

Ensure policies exist for all 9 principles. Update or create policies where gaps exist.

4

Data Validation

Implement data quality checks. Prepare for BRSR Core assurance requirements.

5

Report Generation

Generate BRSR report in SEBI's prescribed format. Include comparative year-on-year data.

6

Board Approval

Get board sign-off on the report. File along with Annual Report before AGM.

Simplify Your BRSR Compliance

ESG PULSE automates BRSR data collection, validates disclosures, and generates SEBI-compliant reports with one click.

BRSR FAQs

What is BRSR?

BRSR (Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting) is a sustainability reporting framework mandated by SEBI for listed companies in India. It replaced the Business Responsibility Report (BRR) and requires disclosure on ESG parameters aligned with the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC).

Which companies need to file BRSR?

BRSR is mandatory for the top 1000 listed companies in India by market capitalization. Starting FY 2024-25, these companies must also get limited assurance on BRSR Core indicators, with phased implementation through FY 2027-28.

What is the difference between BRSR and BRSR Core?

BRSR is the full sustainability report covering all disclosures across 9 principles. BRSR Core is a subset of key performance indicators (KPIs) that require limited assurance (third-party verification). BRSR Core focuses on quantitative, verifiable metrics.

When is BRSR report due?

BRSR reports must be filed annually along with the company's Annual Report. The report covers the financial year (April-March) and must be filed before the Annual General Meeting, typically by September 30.

What are the 9 principles of BRSR?

The 9 principles are based on NGRBC: (1) Ethics & Transparency, (2) Sustainable Products, (3) Employee Well-being, (4) Stakeholder Responsiveness, (5) Human Rights, (6) Environment, (7) Public Policy, (8) Inclusive Growth, (9) Consumer Responsibility.

Is third-party assurance required for BRSR?

Yes, for BRSR Core indicators. Starting FY 2024-25, top 150 companies need limited assurance. This extends to top 250 (FY 2025-26), top 500 (FY 2026-27), and top 1000 (FY 2027-28). Full BRSR doesn't require assurance yet.

What penalties exist for non-compliance?

Non-compliance with BRSR can lead to regulatory scrutiny from SEBI, impact on ESG ratings, reputational damage, and potential restrictions in capital markets. SEBI can impose fines and require resubmission.

How is BRSR different from GRI?

BRSR is an India-specific mandatory framework aligned with NGRBC principles. GRI is a global voluntary standard. While there's significant overlap, BRSR has unique disclosures relevant to Indian regulations and context. Many companies report using both.