📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide

🌐 Topic: Should Corporate Social Responsibility Be Mandated by Law?

🌟 Understanding CSR’s Importance

Mandatory CSR ensures businesses contribute to social growth while highlighting the tension between legal obligations and voluntary responsibility. For B-schools, this topic emphasizes ethics, leadership, and sustainable business practices.

⏳ Effective Planning and Writing

• Time Allocation:
  • Planning: 5 minutes
  • Writing: 20 minutes
  • Review: 5 minutes
• Preparation Tips:
  • Gather data on India’s CSR law, examples of successful initiatives, and global perspectives.

✍️ Introduction Techniques for Essays

1. Contrast Approach:
   

   “While India enforces CSR legally, leading economies like the US and UK rely on voluntary contributions, sparking debates on efficacy.”

2. Solution-Based Start:
   

   “Mandatory CSR ensures corporate accountability while voluntary models encourage genuine innovation. The optimal approach lies in balancing both.”

📚 Structuring the Essay Body

1. Achievements:
   

   “India’s CSR mandate has channeled over ₹1 lakh crore into health, education, and rural development since 2013.”

2. Challenges:
   • “Tokenism and compliance-driven activities often dilute the true intent of CSR.”
   • Global Perspective: Voluntary CSR in the US has produced innovative and impactful initiatives.
3. Future Outlook:
   

   “Strengthening CSR monitoring frameworks and encouraging voluntary innovation can maximize social impact.”

✅ Concluding Effectively

1. Balanced Conclusion:
   

   “Mandatory CSR ensures a foundational impact, but corporations must go beyond compliance to foster genuine societal change.”

2. Global Comparison:
   

   “Countries must adopt hybrid models of CSR—combining mandatory regulations with incentives for innovation-driven initiatives.”

📊 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• Achievements: Guaranteed baseline funding for development.
• Challenges: Risks of tokenism and unequal spending.
• Global Context: Voluntary CSR in nations like the US fosters innovation and deeper commitment.

🚀 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

• Hybrid Model: Combining mandatory spending with incentives for voluntary initiatives.
• Enhanced Monitoring: Implementing transparent frameworks for CSR evaluation.

💡 Sample Short Essays

1. Balanced Perspective:
   

   “Mandatory CSR ensures accountability, but fostering voluntary innovation-driven initiatives is key to sustainable development.”

2. Solution-Oriented:
   

   “The future of CSR lies in a hybrid model that blends legal mandates with incentives, promoting innovation alongside accountability.”

3. Global Comparison:
   

   “India’s CSR mandate guarantees contributions, while the US’s voluntary model fosters deeper societal engagement—both hold lessons for a balanced approach.”