SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I · 15 September 2025, Shift 3 · English Comprehension · Question 15 of 100

We transcribed this text from the pictures on a candidate's response sheet for this shift; the answer is the key SSC colour-marked on that sheet. Solution last reviewed 11 September 2026.

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage :
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from being a peripheral philanthropic gesture to an integral strategic imperative in contemporary business ecosystems. Modern corporations are increasingly cognizant of their multifaceted responsibilities—not only to shareholders but also to employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. This paradigm shift reflects a recognition that long-term profitability and sustainability are inextricably linked to ethical conduct and inclusive growth. CSR transcends token charity; it encompasses deliberate initiatives aimed at environmental stewardship, equitable labour practices, transparent governance, and community development. For instance, corporations may engage in afforestation drives, fund educational scholarships, ensure fair wages, or invest in renewable energy solutions. Such undertakings are not merely altruistic—they bolster corporate reputation, foster consumer loyalty, and mitigate regulatory risks. In some jurisdictions, like India, CSR has been legislated, mandating certain profit thresholds to be reinvested into socially beneficial projects, thereby institutionalizing moral capitalism. However, genuine CSR is distinguished from superficial public relations exercises by its intent, consistency, and impact measurement. Tokenistic CSR—where companies engage in isolated acts of giving to polish their public image—can often be counterproductive, exposing ethical hollowness when scrutinized. Conversely, purpose-driven CSR, embedded into core business strategies, can catalyze innovation and expand market reach, especially in underserved regions. Furthermore, stakeholders—particularly the socially conscious millennial and Gen Z demographics—now scrutinize corporate behaviour with unprecedented vigilance. With social media amplifying accountability, any dissonance between a company’s stated values and its actions can provoke swift reputational damage. Therefore, CSR today is as much about risk mitigation as it is about value creation. Ultimately, the most impactful CSR initiatives are those that align profit motives with societal advancement. When businesses act not merely as economic entities but as responsible social agents, they contribute meaningfully to holistic progress, bridging the chasm between commerce and conscience.

What does the author primarily convey about CSR in modern times?

(a)It is outdated
(b)It is mandated in all countries
(c)It is central to business strategy
(d)It is limited to donations

Answer

Why

Correct — C. The passage opens with its thesis: CSR "has evolved from being a peripheral philanthropic gesture to an integral strategic imperative in contemporary business ecosystems."

It returns to the idea later. Purpose-driven CSR is "embedded into core business strategies", and the best initiatives "align profit motives with societal advancement."

Integral, strategic and core are the passage's words; central to business strategy is their paraphrase → option (c).

Why the others are wrong

(a)
It is outdated — The opposite of the passage. CSR has evolved into a "strategic imperative", and the passage describes what CSR is today, not a practice that has had its day.
(b)
It is mandated in all countries — Some, not all. The passage says "In some jurisdictions, like India, CSR has been legislated". Nothing in it says every country mandates CSR.
(d)
It is limited to donations — CSR transcends token charity, the passage says, and its examples include fair wages and renewable energy, which are not donations at all.

Concept

A primarily convey question asks for the main idea. This passage states its main idea in the first sentence: CSR has moved from the edge of business, a "peripheral philanthropic gesture", to its centre, an "integral strategic imperative".

The rest supports that: the examples of CSR, the note that India has legislated it, the contrast between tokenistic and purpose-driven CSR, and the closing line on "bridging the chasm between commerce and conscience".

Test each option against that thesis, not against one stray sentence.

The passage never uses the word central. Integral and core carry that meaning, which is why option (c) paraphrases rather than quotes.

Key facts

The passage's thesis: CSR has evolved "to an integral strategic imperative in contemporary business ecosystems".
It says purpose-driven CSR is "embedded into core business strategies".
It names India as one jurisdiction where CSR has been legislated.

Study next

Main-idea questions: finding the thesis sentence of a passageParaphrase matching: integral and core read as centralScope words in options: some versus all, limited to versus includes

Common traps

Choosing mandated in all countries because the passage mentions a law, without noticing the word some
Answering from the tokenistic-CSR sentence and picking limited to donations

English Q.16 to Q.19 are set on the same passage. Q.18 asks about the role of legislation, which is where the line on India belongs.

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage :
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from being a peripheral philanthropic gesture to an integral strategic imperative in contemporary business ecosystems. Modern corporations are increasingly cognizant of their multifaceted responsibilities—not only to shareholders but also to employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. This paradigm shift reflects a recognition that long-term profitability and sustainability are inextricably linked to ethical conduct and inclusive growth. CSR transcends token charity; it encompasses deliberate initiatives aimed at environmental stewardship, equitable labour practices, transparent governance, and community development. For instance, corporations may engage in afforestation drives, fund educational scholarships, ensure fair wages, or invest in renewable energy solutions. Such undertakings are not merely altruistic—they bolster corporate reputation, foster consumer loyalty, and mitigate regulatory risks. In some jurisdictions, like India, CSR has been legislated, mandating certain profit thresholds to be reinvested into socially beneficial projects, thereby institutionalizing moral capitalism. However, genuine CSR is distinguished from superficial public relations exercises by its intent, consistency, and impact measurement. Tokenistic CSR—where companies engage in isolated acts of giving to polish their public image—can often be counterproductive, exposing ethical hollowness when scrutinized. Conversely, purpose-driven CSR, embedded into core business strategies, can catalyze innovation and expand market reach, especially in underserved regions. Furthermore, stakeholders—particularly the socially conscious millennial and Gen Z demographics—now scrutinize corporate behaviour with unprecedented vigilance. With social media amplifying accountability, any dissonance between a company’s stated values and its actions can provoke swift reputational damage. Therefore, CSR today is as much about risk mitigation as it is about value creation. Ultimately, the most impactful CSR initiatives are those that align profit motives with societal advancement. When businesses act not merely as economic entities but as responsible social agents, they contribute meaningfully to holistic progress, bridging the chasm between commerce and conscience.