NMDC Limited, India’s largest iron ore producer, has invested over £250 million (Rs. 2,600 crore) in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) over the past two decades, redefining its role as a nation builder. With a legacy deeply rooted in mining, the company has fostered public trust through impactful grassroots initiatives, including a substantial £61 million (Rs. 690 crore) dedicated to education, benefiting over 100,000 students annually in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
NMDC’s 3S Approach: Sustainable, Scientific, Spreading Smiles
Over the past two decades, NMDC has invested more than £250 million (Rs. 2,600 crore) across sectors such as skill development, education, and infrastructure. These investments have not only created facilities but also established a secure network of opportunities for everyone.
"At NMDC, community development is a core part of our identity. We are deeply committed to addressing the unique needs of the regions where we operate and ensuring that our initiatives create real and lasting change," said Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC. "By significantly increasing our CSR contribution in education year after year, we are educating not just an individual but a whole family, their generation, and their society. Flagship initiatives like ‘Astha Gurukul’, ‘Saksham Schools’, and the ITIs in Bhansi and Nagarnar are shaping the backbone of the rural landscape where NMDC operates."
Taking Education to Grassroots Levels
In regions like Bastar, where children, especially young girls, once walked miles to attend temporary schools under trees, NMDC’s intervention has brought about a visible transformation. Today, these children learn in well-equipped classrooms. With over £61 million (Rs. 690 crore) spent solely on education over the past two decades, NMDC has been a steadfast partner in the development of regions such as Bastar, Dantewada, and Bellary.
Astha Gurukul, a residential school initiative by NMDC, has educated over 12,000 students affected by extremism. It stands as the first school in the region to follow the CBSE syllabus, providing quality education to these students.
At the Saksham Campus, a unique 100 per cent specially-abled facility, visually and hearing-impaired children are no longer left behind. Their classrooms are equipped with aids and materials tailored to their needs, instilling hope for a brighter future. The campus offers inclusive facilities, including dedicated group hearing rooms and sign language symbols on steps. The 'Hoslon Ki Udaan' initiative promotes holistic development through sports and art, benefiting over 4,000 students to date.
NMDC has also partnered with State Authorities to create physical infrastructure across the region, such as the Education City at Geedam, Dantewada, which spans 150 acres and offers everything from primary education to professional courses, including a Polytechnic College.
In addition to the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Nagarnar, which has trained 225 individuals, and Bhansi, which has supported approximately 1,500, the Polytechnic College in Dantewada is helping rural youth acquire industry-relevant skills. Many students have secured employment with companies such as Bajaj Ltd., Ashok Leyland, and Krishna Maruti.
The Balika Shiksha Yojana, which began by supporting 25 tribal girls in nursing, has now reached nearly 583 beneficiaries and operates at more than triple its initial capacity, with plans for further expansion. Residential schools established in Nagarnar and Bastar have opened access to formal education for many first-generation learners.
As part of its ongoing CSR initiatives, NMDC has developed educational infrastructure, including smart classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, and libraries. Dropout rates are being addressed through support for mid-day meal schemes, benefiting around 8,000 children annually. Additionally, NMDC’s Education Improvement Programmes have supported 4,367 students, including 2,027 girls, to date.
Through initiatives like the Balika Shiksha Sahyog Yojana, NMDC provides up to 18,000 scholarships annually. To date, more than 150,000 scholarships have been provided to students.
In line with evolving community needs, NMDC continues to launch new initiatives. The Science Centre in Dantewada, also funded by NMDC, was recently lauded by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address for its impact on students and parents. Located in an area once known for conflict, the Centre is now a hub of innovation, featuring tools such as 3D printers and robotics, and offering hands-on learning opportunities to local families.
