Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has increasingly become a significant approach for fostering inclusive and sustainable development in resource-intensive industries such as mining, particularly within developing economies where mining activities are concentrated in socially and economically disadvantaged regions. Although CSR initiatives have expanded considerably after regulatory mandates, limited scholarly attention has been directed toward beneficiaries’ awareness and perception, which are essential for assessing the actual effectiveness of such initiatives. The present study investigates the awareness and perception of CSR initiatives among beneficiaries in the Bilaspur region of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), with comparative insights from Korba and Raigarh. The research is based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire covering education, rural development, and health, water, and sanitation. To examine regional differences, the Chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Dwass–Steel–Critchlow–Fligner post-hoc analysis were applied. The findings indicate a moderate level of overall awareness, accompanied by substantial regional disparities across sectors. Raigarh exhibits relatively higher awareness and satisfaction, whereas Korba and Bilaspur demonstrate lower awareness, particularly in rural development and health-related initiatives. The study reveals that CSR effectiveness is strongly shaped by stakeholder participation, communication mechanisms, and responsiveness to local needs, and offers practical implications for more inclusive, participatory, and region-specific CSR strategies.