The Award recognizes companies at different levels of achievement with respect to the three "dimensions" of sustainability; each level signifying extent of achievement attained, ranging from policy, to practice, to tangible performance, and ultimately results. This is depicted in the figure below:

NEW IN 2011:

1. Theme based recognition
Offers the applicant an opportunity to highlight outstanding achievement in a specific area worthy of recognition even if the applicant does not excel in every field. Themes are as follows:

1. Corporate governance
2. Supply chain initiatives
3. Climate change
4. Energy Management
5. Water Management
6. Waste Management
7. Resource Use Efficiency
8. Occupational Health & Safety
9. Community Empowerment
10. Base-of-Pyramid Solutions

2. Sector based recognition
Best performer in the sector is recognized, subject to a minimum of 3 applications per sector.

3. Separate Application Document for MSME