SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I · 15 September 2025, Shift 3 · English Comprehension · Question 17 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.

How does the author differentiate genuine CSR from tokenistic CSR?

(a)Through environmental certification
(b)Through government involvement
(c)Through intent and impact
(d)Through marketing partnerships

Answer

Why

Correct — C. The passage answers this in one sentence: "genuine CSR is distinguished from superficial public relations exercises by its intent, consistency, and impact measurement."

The next sentence describes the superficial kind as tokenistic CSR: "isolated acts of giving to polish their public image".

So the dividing line is intent and impact, two of the three criteria the passage names → option (c).

Why the others are wrong

(a)
Through environmental certification — Environmental certification is not in the passage. Environmental stewardship appears as a CSR activity, not as the test that separates genuine from tokenistic CSR.
(b)
Through government involvement — Government involvement appears in the line on India, where CSR "has been legislated", but the passage never uses law to tell genuine CSR from tokenistic CSR.
(d)
Through marketing partnerships — Marketing partnerships are not in the passage. Image-building is what it holds against tokenistic CSR, not what makes CSR genuine.

Concept

A how does the author differentiate question points to a sentence that states the difference. This passage has one, opened by However: genuine CSR is distinguished "by its intent, consistency, and impact measurement".

The right option need not list all three criteria. It must name criteria from that sentence and add nothing the passage does not say.

Intent and impact are two of the three. The other options bring in things the passage never uses as a test.

The question says tokenistic; the sentence that answers it says superficial public relations exercises. The passage's next sentence joins the two by defining tokenistic CSR as giving done to polish a public image.

Key facts

The passage's criteria for genuine CSR: "intent, consistency, and impact measurement".
The passage defines tokenistic CSR as "isolated acts of giving to polish their public image".
It says tokenistic CSR can expose "ethical hollowness when scrutinized".

Study next

Detail questions answered by one sentence: spotting a signal word such as distinguishedPartial-match options: accepting two of three listed criteriaSeparating an activity a passage mentions from a criterion it uses

Common traps

Picking environmental certification because environmental stewardship appears in the passage
Rejecting option (c) because it leaves out consistency

English Q.16 on the same passage applies this contrast to one example, and Q.18 asks what role legislation plays, which is where government involvement 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.