What is BRSR? The Complete Guide to Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting in India

BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting) is India's mandatory ESG disclosure framework, introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). It requires the top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalisation to report on their environmental, social, and governance performance annually.

1. What is BRSR?

BRSR stands for Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting. It is a comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosure format mandated by SEBI through its circular SEBI/HO/CFD/CMD-2/P/CIR/2021/562 dated 10 May 2021.

The BRSR framework replaced the earlier Business Responsibility Report (BRR) and requires listed entities to disclose quantitative, comparable data on sustainability parameters. Unlike voluntary sustainability reports, BRSR follows a standardised format that enables comparison across companies and sectors.

Key characteristics of BRSR:

• Mandatory for top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalisation
• Standardised format with 216 questions across three sections
• Quantitative focus — measurable metrics, not narrative descriptions
• Annual filing as part of the company's annual report
• Aligned with global frameworks including GRI, UNGC, SDGs, and TCFD

2. History: From BRR to BRSR

India's ESG disclosure journey spans over a decade:

• 2012 — SEBI mandates Business Responsibility Report (BRR) for top 100 listed companies
• 2015 — BRR extended to top 500 listed companies
• 2019 — Committee on Business Responsibility Reporting recommends BRSR framework
• 2021 — SEBI notifies BRSR format (May 2021), voluntary for FY 2021-22
• 2022 — BRSR becomes mandatory for top 1,000 listed companies from FY 2022-23
• 2023 — SEBI introduces BRSR Core for assurance (July 2023)
• 2024 — Assessment or assurance of BRSR Core begins for top 150 companies
• 2026 — BRSR Core assurance extends to top 500 companies

3. Who Must File BRSR?

BRSR filing is mandatory for the top 1,000 listed entities by market capitalisation on BSE and NSE. This is determined based on market capitalisation as on 31 March of the preceding financial year.

The filing must be submitted as part of the company's Annual Report. Companies outside the top 1,000 may file BRSR voluntarily.

BRSR Core assurance follows a phased timeline:

• Top 150 companies — mandatory assessment or assurance from FY 2023-24
• Top 250 companies — mandatory from FY 2024-25
• Top 500 companies — mandatory from FY 2025-26
• Top 1,000 companies — expected from FY 2026-27

4. BRSR Format and Structure

The BRSR report is structured in three sections with a total of approximately 216 disclosure questions:

Section A: General Disclosures

Company details, products/services, operations, employees, CSR details, and transparency/compliance information. This section establishes the reporting boundary and entity profile.

Section B: Management and Process Disclosures

Policy and governance disclosures covering all 9 National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) principles. This covers whether the company has policies, governance structures, and processes for each principle.

Section C: Principle-Wise Performance

Detailed performance indicators for each of the 9 principles, split into Essential Indicators (mandatory) and Leadership Indicators (voluntary but increasingly expected).

5. The 9 BRSR Principles

BRSR is built on the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC), which define 9 principles:

1. P1 — Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability: Business integrity, anti-corruption, whistleblower mechanisms
2. P2 — Products and Services: Sustainable sourcing, lifecycle impact, recycling, EPR compliance
3. P3 — Employee Wellbeing: Workforce data, diversity, safety, benefits, training, equal opportunity
4. P4 — Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and engaging with affected communities and stakeholders
5. P5 — Human Rights: Human rights due diligence, child labour, forced labour, remediation
6. P6 — Environment: Energy, emissions, water, waste, biodiversity, EIA, pollution prevention
7. P7 — Policy Advocacy: Responsible public policy engagement and trade association memberships
8. P8 — Inclusive Growth: CSR, community development, procurement from MSMEs and marginalised groups
9. P9 — Consumer Responsibility: Product safety, data privacy, customer complaints, responsible marketing

6. What is BRSR Core?

BRSR Core is a subset of the full BRSR framework, introduced by SEBI in July 2023 through circular SEBI/HO/CFD/CFD-SEC-2/P/CIR/2023/122. It identifies key ESG indicators that must undergo independent assurance.

BRSR Core was designed to make assurance practical and focused. Instead of requiring assurance of the entire 216-question BRSR, BRSR Core identifies approximately 9 key indicators across environment, social, and governance dimensions.

7. BRSR Core Indicators

The BRSR Core KPIs that require assurance include:

• GHG Emissions — Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions intensity (per revenue and per output)
• Water — Water consumption intensity and water discharge quality
• Waste — Waste generated, recycled, and safely disposed
• Energy — Energy consumption intensity and renewable energy share
• Workforce Diversity — Gender and differently-abled representation
• Safety — LTIFR (Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate) for employees and workers
• Human Rights — Complaints on child labour, forced labour, and wage theft
• Pay Equity — Median remuneration ratio (male vs female)
• Governance — Board diversity and training on ESG

8. BRSR Assurance Requirements

BRSR Core assurance must be conducted by an independent assurance provider. Key requirements:

• Assurance must follow recognised standards: ISAE 3000, ISAE 3410, AA1000AS, or equivalent
• Assurance providers must be independent of the reporting entity
• SEBI does not prescribe the assurance level; entities choosing assurance may opt for limited or reasonable assurance
• The assurance report must be included in the company's Annual Report

RSustain India provides BRSR Core assurance services as an AA1000 Licensed Assurance Provider. Learn about our 12-week Assurance Sprint.

9. BRSR Filing Deadlines 2026

For FY 2025-26 (April 2025 — March 2026):

• BRSR Filing — Must be included in the Annual Report, typically filed by September 2026
• BRSR Core Assurance — Required for top 500 companies for FY 2025-26
• BSE XBRL Filing — BRSR data must also be filed in XBRL format on BSE

View all deadlines in our ESG Compliance Calendar.

10. Penalties for Non-Compliance

While SEBI has not specified explicit monetary penalties for BRSR non-compliance, consequences include:

• Non-compliance flagged by stock exchanges (BSE/NSE)
• Adverse impact on ESG ratings and investor confidence
• Potential regulatory scrutiny and show-cause notices
• Exclusion from ESG indices and sustainable investment mandates
• Impact on green finance eligibility and ESG-linked lending

11. How to File BRSR

Step-by-step process for BRSR compliance:

1. Gap Assessment — Identify what data you have and what is missing. Use our free BRSR Compass tool.
2. Data Collection — Gather quantitative data across all 9 principles from relevant departments.
3. Report Preparation — Complete the BRSR format with all essential and leadership indicators.
4. Internal Review — Validate data accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
5. Assurance — Engage an independent assurer for BRSR Core indicators (if applicable).
6. Board Approval — Get the BRSR report approved by the board of directors.
7. Filing — Include in Annual Report and file XBRL data on BSE.

12. Free BRSR Tools

RSustain India offers free digital tools to help with every stage of BRSR compliance:

13. Frequently Asked Questions

What is BRSR full form?

BRSR stands for Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting. It is India's mandatory ESG disclosure framework introduced by SEBI for the top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalisation.

Is BRSR mandatory for all companies in India?

BRSR is mandatory for the top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalisation on BSE and NSE. Unlisted companies, SMEs, and companies outside the top 1,000 are not required to file BRSR but may do so voluntarily.

What is the difference between BRSR and BRSR Core?

BRSR is the complete ESG disclosure framework with approximately 216 questions. BRSR Core is a set of KPIs under nine ESG attributes that must undergo independent assurance. BRSR Core was introduced in 2023 to make assurance practical and focused.

What is the deadline for BRSR filing?

BRSR must be included in the company's Annual Report, which is typically filed within 6 months of the financial year end. For FY 2025-26, the Annual Report is usually filed by September 2026.

What is the penalty for not filing BRSR?

SEBI has not specified explicit monetary penalties for BRSR non-compliance. However, non-compliance is flagged by stock exchanges and can adversely affect ESG ratings, investor confidence, and eligibility for green finance and ESG indices.

Who needs BRSR Core assurance?

BRSR Core assurance is being phased in: top 150 companies from FY 2023-24, top 250 from FY 2024-25, top 500 from FY 2025-26, and top 1,000 expected from FY 2026-27. Assurance must be conducted by an independent provider using recognised standards like ISAE 3000 or AA1000AS.

How is BRSR different from GRI reporting?

BRSR is India-specific and mandatory for listed companies, while GRI is a global voluntary framework. BRSR follows a fixed format with standardised questions, whereas GRI allows topic-based reporting. Many BRSR indicators are aligned with GRI Standards, making dual reporting feasible.

Can BRSR be filed in XBRL format?

Yes. BSE requires BRSR data to be filed in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) format. RSustain India's BRSR XBRL Filing tool can convert your BRSR data to BSE-compliant iXBRL format.

What is the BRSR format?

BRSR follows a three-section format: Section A (General Disclosures), Section B (Management and Process Disclosures), and Section C (Principle-Wise Performance covering all 9 NGRBC principles with Essential and Leadership indicators).

How much does BRSR compliance cost?

BRSR compliance costs vary based on company size, data readiness, and assurance requirements. Basic BRSR filing support typically ranges from INR 3-8 lakh. BRSR Core assurance can cost INR 8-25 lakh depending on scope. RSustain India offers structured programmes starting at INR 8 lakh for the complete 12-week Assurance Sprint.