Published Paper Details:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a vital strategic tool for organizations, particularly in the banking sector, where public trust and social accountability are of paramount importance. This study examines the perception of Corporate Social Responsibility activities undertaken by the State Bank of India (SBI) in Patna, Bihar, with a focus on understanding awareness levels, sector-wise visibility of CSR initiatives, and their influence on the bank's image, reputation, customer preference, and trust. The study adopts a descriptive and perceptual research design based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 424 respondents in Patna city. The data were analyzed using basic statistical techniques, including frequency and percentage analysis. The findings reveal a high level of awareness regarding CSR among respondents, with education and financial literacy emerging as the most visible CSR sectors. The results indicate a strong positive relationship between SBI's CSR initiatives and public perception, demonstrating that CSR significantly enhances the bank's social image, reputation, and trustworthiness. The study also identifies key areas for improvement, including greater publicity, increased funding, better targeting of beneficiaries, and a focus on long-term CSR projects. Overall, the study concludes that effective implementation and communication of CSR initiatives can strengthen stakeholder relationships and support sustainable banking practices.