Novartis India Limited has announced a postal ballot process to seek shareholder approval for the appointment of Ms. Gowree Gokhale as Non-Executive and Independent Director. The pharmaceutical company issued the notice on April 16, 2026, outlining the e-voting procedure and timeline for this corporate governance matter.

E-Voting Schedule and Process

The remote e-voting process has been structured with specific timelines to ensure adequate participation from shareholders. The company has appointed MUFG Intime India Private Limited as the registrar and NSDL as the e-voting service provider.

The notice was sent electronically to all members whose email addresses are registered with the company or depositories as on the cut-off date. Advertisements regarding the postal ballot were published in Financial Express (English) and Navshakti (Marathi) on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Director Appointment Details

Ms. Gowree Gokhale (DIN: 09351661) is proposed to be appointed for a term of five consecutive years from April 01, 2026, to March 31, 2031. This appointment comes as Ms. Sandra Martyres' second term as Independent Director concludes on April 18, 2026.

Professional Background

Ms. Gokhale brings extensive legal expertise to the board with over 30 years of diverse experience. She is a distinguished Solicitor of the Bombay Incorporated Law Society and holds an L.L.M from Mumbai University with specialization in Intellectual Property, Labour, Tax, and Consumer Protection laws.

Her professional experience includes:

• 22 years with Nishith Desai Associates, co-leading Pharma and Medical Devices practice areas
• Current independent chamber practice
• Expertise in Intellectual Property, Data Protection, Consumer Protection, Mergers & Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, and Competition Law
• Advisory roles across multiple industries including Pharma, Healthcare, Telecom, E-Commerce, AI, Fintech, Gaming, Media, and Entertainment

Regulatory Compliance

The appointment aligns with SEBI Listing Regulations requirements. Under Regulation 17(1)(c), the board must comprise at least six directors, while Regulation 17(1C) read with Regulation 25(2A) mandates shareholder approval for Independent Director appointments within three months of appointment.

The company has received Ms. Gokhale's declaration of independence, confirming she meets the criteria under Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013, and Regulation 16(1)(b) of SEBI Listing Regulations. She has successfully registered in the Independent Director's Data Bank maintained by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.

Scrutinizer Appointment

The board has appointed qualified professionals to oversee the e-voting process:

Shareholders can access the complete notice and voting instructions on the company's website at www.novartis.in , BSE's website, and NSDL's e-voting portal. The resolution, if passed with requisite majority, will be deemed effective from the last date of e-voting, May 16, 2026.

Novartis India Limited has submitted its quarterly compliance certificate to BSE Limited under SEBI regulatory requirements for the quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2026. The pharmaceutical company filed the mandatory certificate as per Regulation 74(5) of the SEBI (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018.

Regulatory Compliance Filing

The certificate was issued by MUFG Intime India Private Limited (formerly Link Intime India Private Limited), which serves as the Registrar to an Issue and Share Transfer Agent for Novartis India Limited. The document was dated April 06, 2026, and subsequently filed with the stock exchange on April 13, 2026.

Certificate Confirmation

MUFG Intime India Private Limited confirmed that all securities received from depository participants for dematerialization during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, were properly processed within prescribed timelines. The registrar verified that security certificates received for dematerialization were confirmed or rejected appropriately, and that certificates were mutilated and cancelled after due verification by the depository participant.

The certificate also confirmed that the names of depositories were substituted in the register of members as registered owners within the prescribed timelines. Notably, the registrar reported that no requests for rematerialization were received during the quarter.

Corporate Information

Novartis India Limited operates from Inspire BKC, 7th Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai. The company's securities are listed on BSE Limited under scrip code 500672. The compliance certificate was signed by Chandni Maru, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, demonstrating the company's commitment to maintaining proper regulatory adherence.

This routine filing reflects the company's ongoing compliance with SEBI regulations governing depositories and participants, ensuring transparent and proper handling of securities transactions during the reporting period.