Governance Briefing — SEBI BRSR Core assurance expansion for top 250 listed entities

Executive briefing: On 12 July 2023 the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a circular mandating phased assurance of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) Core. After the top 150 listed entities comply in FY2024, the requirement extends to the top 250 for FY2025. Boards must oversee assurance readiness, data controls, and governance processes to support reasonable assurance engagements.

Key governance signals

• Board accountability. Boards must ensure sustainability data governance, internal controls, and assurance coordination meet reasonable assurance standards.
• Scope expansion. The BRSR Core covers quantitative and qualitative indicators on emissions, supply chain due diligence, workforce, and leadership oversight.
• Assurance provider coordination. Companies must appoint assurance providers with expertise in sustainability reporting and ensure independence.

Action checklist

• Conduct control assessments across BRSR Core indicators to identify remediation needs ahead of FY2025 reporting.
• Integrate sustainability data into internal audit and SOX-equivalent frameworks with clear management ownership.
• Align audit committee agendas to oversee assurance planning, independence, and findings.

Enablement moves

• Implement data management platforms capturing BRSR metrics, evidence, and workflow approvals.
• Train sustainability, finance, and legal teams on assurance requirements, documentation standards, and remediation tracking.
• Engage with assurance providers early to agree on scope, methodologies, and timelines.

Sources

• SEBI circular — Baseline disclosures on ESG matters by listed entities
• SEBI board meeting press release — ESG disclosures and assurance

Zeph Tech supports Indian issuers with BRSR Core assurance by strengthening governance controls, data pipelines, and audit committee reporting.