The Centre for Social Action was founded by Fr. John Desrochers, c.s.c. in 1974. It was officially registered as a society under the Karnataka Registration Act in November 1976. The main purposes of the CSA are the following: (a) to engage in research and publications, and promote a deeper understanding of the complex problems of development and social justice, (b) to help people rethink and reorient their action to bring about a relevant social transformation in India, and (c) to form effective animators and social activists through training sessions.

The CSA never had a staff of more than 5 members. Yet, Fr. John Desrochers and Mr. George Joseph have given hundreds of sessions on social issues. The CSA has also published 10 booklets of about 75-125 pages and 14 books with an average circulation of more than five thousand. For about 5 years, the CSA also had a department for guiding 15-20 activists and 70-80 local groups in their work among the underprivileged people of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. This department has now become an independent non-government organization.

The CSA, moreover, started the Bangalore Social Action (BSA) Trust in 1996 to publish a 65-80 page quarterly review. This review has now completed six full years. In 1999, the Indian province of Holy Cross Fathers officially accepted to make the CSA and BSA an official Holy Cross apostolate. When more Holy Cross personnel become available, the CSA may also become involved in concrete projects concerning issues of development, justice and social change.