Persistent ranks third in India's most sustainable companies
Persistent Systems has ranked third overall in BW Businessworld Group's India's Most Sustainable Companies 2024-25 and second in the Information Technology and Digital Services sector.
The recognition is part of the BW Sustainable World Awards 2026, which assess companies on environmental, social, and governance measures, as well as technology-linked sustainability initiatives.
The ranking places Persistent among the top-performing companies in a review of ESG disclosures, governance practices, alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and evidence of impact. According to details released with the award, the process also included a layered review and independent advisory oversight.
For Persistent, the result adds to a series of external sustainability assessments it undergoes each year, including reviews by S&P Global, CDP and SEBI-registered ESG rating providers.
Persistent is also a constituent of the Dow Jones World Sustainability Index and a signatory to the UN Global Compact. Its latest published ratings include an S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment score of 86, placement in the top 10% of the Sustainability Yearbook, an SES score of 81.7, a CDP score of A and a leadership score of 79 in the NSE ESG assessment.
Operating Model
Persistent said sustainability is embedded in its operating model rather than treated as a separate programme. It linked that approach to decisions across risk management, procurement, talent practices and client delivery.
The group also connected its sustainability framework to the broader use of artificial intelligence in large organisations, arguing that responsible data use, accountable systems, and governance-led execution have become central as companies expand their AI deployments.
That position reflects a broader trend in the technology sector, where investors, clients and regulators are scrutinising how companies manage energy use, supply chains, governance standards and the social effects of digital systems. In that context, sustainability rankings are increasingly used as one measure of operational discipline and disclosure quality, even though methodologies vary between assessors.
Sector Context
Indian technology companies face growing pressure to demonstrate measurable progress in emissions, labour practices, board oversight, and reporting standards. Large digital services exporters, in particular, are under scrutiny from global customers that now include ESG criteria in procurement and supplier reviews.
Independent ratings and index inclusion can influence how these companies are viewed by institutional investors and multinational clients. They can also shape internal priorities by pushing firms to produce more detailed disclosures and document how sustainability factors are handled in day-to-day operations.
Persistent framed its latest ranking as evidence that ESG considerations are informing business decisions across the company. It said this extends from capital allocation to client delivery, with growth aligned to governance and stakeholder expectations.
Chitra Byregowda, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sustainability and ESG at Persistent, commented after the ranking was announced.
"We are honoured to be recognised by BW Businessworld among India's Most Sustainable Companies. This acknowledgment highlights the progress we are making in translating our sustainability priorities into measurable outcomes across climate action, governance and social impact. It demonstrates how ESG is translating into tangible outcomes, including reduced emissions, responsible operations and meaningful contributions to the communities we operate in. As expectations continue to evolve, our focus is on expanding the depth and scale of our impact while continuing to raise the bar on transparency and accountability," Byregowda said.