In this paper, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of 10 public sector and 10 private sector banks have been analyzed and their performances have been ranked based on 10 parameters. Data available on websites, in annual reports and sustainability CSR reports of all selected banks have been collected and studied. Among the public sector banks, State Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank are the top performers, while among the private sector banks, ICICI Bank is the top performer. In the case of public sector banks, CSR activities are mostly carried out in the field of education, community welfare, financial inclusion and rural development. On the other hand, private sector banks are concentrating more on community welfare, education and rural development activities.

The Indian Government had mooted the idea that all Indian corporates should spend 2% of their profits towards social responsibility programs. This works out to US$2 bn (about 87 bn) per year.1 It is not mandated by the government. Even then, it has created awareness among Indian corporates to spend more on social relationships with their customers and other stakeholders. Indian banking sector is not to be left behind. In August 2011, State Bank of India (with Government of India, the majority stakeholder) announced that it would spend US$2 mn (almost 45,977 mn) on this program, which included donation of fans to schools in the vicinity of all its 13,000 bank branches.2 This announcement by the largest bank in India signals the increasing pace with which Indian banks may try to catch up with their peers using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in building relationship with its stakeholders.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), being the regulator for banks in India, has asked the banks to pay special attention towards integration of social and environmental concerns in their business operations.

Management Research Journal, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Multi-National Corporations (MNCs), Corporate Reputation (CR), Expectation Level Regarding CSR Practices, Practices, Public and Private Sector Banks, Comparative Analysis, .