New Delhi: State-owned energy major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) allocated nearly ₹670.97 crore in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to 20 organisations linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) between 2013 and 2025, according to a report published by The News Minute.
The report states that the contributions were made through ONGC’s CSR programme, under which the public sector undertaking (PSU) funds projects related to education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental protection and community development.
Citing ONGC’s CSR annual reports, The News Minute said the company disbursed ₹4,531 crore in CSR funding to nearly 2,000 organisations and projects across India between the first quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2025. Of this, around ₹668 crore—approximately 14.7% of the total CSR expenditure—was reportedly allocated to 20 organisations identified as having links with the RSS.
According to the report, these organisations fall into three categories: nine directly affiliated with the RSS, nine founded or headed by individuals associated with the Sangh, and two that have worked closely with the organisation.
Among the largest beneficiaries was Swargadew Siu-Ka-Pha Hospital in Assam’s Sivasagar district, a 300-bed multi-speciality hospital jointly managed by ONGC and the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Vaidyakiya Pratishthan (BAVP). The report notes that BAVP describes itself as being inspired by RSS ideology and also operates the Dr Hedgewar Hospital in Aurangabad, named after RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar.
Another major recipient was Nagpur-based Dr Aabaji Thatte Seva Aur Anusandhan Sanstha, which reportedly received ₹140 crore from ONGC between 2017 and 2022 to establish the National Cancer Institute. The trust is named after a close associate of former RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar.
The report further states that Bengaluru-based Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA) received ₹15.53 crore for hostel construction and yoga-related programmes in Karnataka, Odisha and Assam.
Various units of Se wa Bharati, part of the RSS’s social service network, reportedly received ₹13.95 crore for projects including flood relief, medical equipment procurement, construction of yoga centres and student welfare initiatives.
Schools run by the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation were also among the beneficiaries, receiving ₹8.69 crore, according to the report.
The disclosures have reignited debate over the use of CSR funds by public sector enterprises. Critics have questioned whether government-owned companies should finance organisations associated with ideological groups, while supporters argue that CSR funding should be based on the social impact of projects in sectors such as healthcare, education and community development, irrespective of institutional affiliations.
The discussion has also revived questions about the legal status of the RSS, which functions as an unregistered voluntary association. RSS leaders have maintained that registration is not legally mandatory and have said the organisation operates transparently through registered trusts and affiliated institutions while maintaining a written constitution available to the government.