Reporting Practices and the Paradigm Shift in Corporate Reporting in India

Corporate reporting in India has undergone a remarkable transformation driven by regulatory reforms, stakeholder expectations, globalization, technological advancements, and sustainability imperatives. The shift from conventional financial reporting to integrated and sustainability-oriented reporting frameworks reflects the changing role of businesses in society and the increasing demand for transparency and accountability. Initiatives such as the Companies Act, 2013, Ind AS, CSR reporting, Integrated Reporting, and BRSR have significantly broadened the scope of corporate disclosures. Contemporary reporting practices now encompass financial, environmental, social, and governance dimensions, enabling stakeholders to evaluate organizational performance more comprehensively. This paradigm shift has strengthened corporate accountability, enhanced investor confidence, and promoted sustainable value creation. As reporting continues to evolve, Indian companies are increasingly aligning with global best practices, positioning corporate reporting as a strategic instrument for fostering trust, improving stakeholder relationships, and supporting long-term organizational sustainability. Future developments in digital reporting and ESG disclosures are expected to further redefine the corporate reporting landscape in India.

de Villiers, C., Rinaldi, L., & Unerman, J. (2014). Integrated reporting: Insights, gaps and an agenda for future research. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 27(7), 1042–1067. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-06-2014-1736 Eccles, R. G., & Krzus, M. P. (2010). One report: Integrated reporting for a sustainable strategy. John Wiley & Sons. Eccles, R. G., Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. (2014). The impact of corporate sustainability on organizational processes and performance. Management Science, 60(11), 2835–2857. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1984 Freeman, R. E. (2010). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Cambridge University Press. Hahn, R., & Kühnen, M. (2013). Determinants of sustainability reporting: A review of results, trends, theory, and opportunities in an expanding field of research. Journal of Cleaner Production, 59, 5–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.07.005 Kansal, M., Joshi, M., & Batra, G. (2014). Determinants of corporate social responsibility disclosures: Evidence from India. Advances in Accounting, 30(1), 217–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adiac.2014.03.009 Kaur, A., & Lodhia, S. (2018). Stakeholder engagement in sustainability accounting and reporting: A study of Australian local councils. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 31(1), 338–368. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-12-2014-1901 Maniora, J. (2017). Is integrated reporting really the superior mechanism for the integration of ethics into the core business model? An empirical analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 140(4), 755–786. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2874-z Vitolla, F., Raimo, N., Rubino, M., & Garzoni, A. (2019). The impact of national culture on integrated reporting quality. Journal of Cleaner Production, 231, 1238–1250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.003 Brown, H. S., de Jong, M., & Levy, D. L. (2009). Building institutions based on information disclosure: Lessons from GRI’s sustainability reporting. Journal of Cleaner Production, 17(6), 571–580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2008.12.009