Bharti Airtel has unveiled ambitious plans to transform its financial services operations with a landmark Rs 20,000 crore investment in its Non-Banking Financial Company subsidiary, Airtel Money Limited. This strategic expansion represents one of the largest commitments by a telecommunications company to India's digital financial services sector, as announced in an official press release dated February 23, 2026.

Major Capital Infusion and Ownership Structure

The NBFC subsidiary will receive the Rs 20,000 crore investment over the next few years through a structured approach. Bharti Airtel will contribute 70% of the capital, while the promoter group via Bharti Enterprises Limited will provide the remaining 30%. This substantial investment underscores the company's commitment to building a high-scale digital financial platform.

Strong Foundation with Proven Performance

The expansion builds on Bharti Airtel's successful lending service provider (LSP) platform, which has demonstrated impressive performance metrics over the past two years. The platform has achieved hyperscale adoption with over Rs 9,000 crore in disbursements, supported by best-in-class delinquency outcomes. This success stems from robust underwriting models, disciplined portfolio management, and real-time risk monitoring capabilities.

The company's digital infrastructure includes strong digital assets, a comprehensive data and analytics engine powered by 500+ data scientists, and deep operational expertise. These capabilities position Bharti Airtel to rapidly expand access to simple, secure, and innovative digital financial services across India.

Strategic Vision and Market Opportunity

"The success of our LSP platform over the past two years is proof of our ability to combine technology, data, and customer trust to deliver impact at a national scale," said Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel. "We have built one of India's most trusted and scalable digital credit engines—reaching millions with high-quality credit supported by industry-best performance metrics. Our NBFC expansion strengthens this foundation and reflects our ambition to build a differentiated, future-ready digital lending business - one that stands for trust, innovation, and financial inclusion."

The expansion addresses a significant market opportunity in India's financial services sector. According to Care Edge Ratings, India's formal credit to GDP ratio stands at 53%, highlighting substantial scope for lending growth in the country. This initiative aligns with Bharti Airtel's commitment to deepening financial inclusion and empowering underserved consumers.

Operational Integration and Customer Experience

The NBFC's disbursement operations will be seamlessly integrated with the existing LSP platform while maintaining clear operational segregation between the two services. This approach ensures customers receive a best-in-class experience while benefiting from the combined strengths of both platforms.

By leveraging technology, data analytics, and customer understanding at scale, Bharti Airtel aims to set new benchmarks for digital financial services in India. The expansion represents a natural adjacency that will utilize the company's large customer base to build the next growth engine and further diversify its portfolio.

Regulatory Compliance and Official Announcement

Airtel Money Limited received its NBFC license from the Reserve Bank of India on February 13, 2026. The announcement was made through an official press release filed under Regulation 30 with the National Stock Exchange and BSE Limited on February 23, 2026, signed by Company Secretary & Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri.

In compliance with RBI requirements, the company has issued the following disclaimer: "The Company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated 13/02/2026 issued by Reserve Bank of India under section 45 IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the Reserve Bank of India does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for the repayment of deposits/discharge of liabilities by the company."

This strategic expansion positions Bharti Airtel to capitalize on India's growing digital financial services market while leveraging its telecommunications infrastructure and customer relationships to drive financial inclusion across the country.

Bharti Airtel Limited has received a penalty notice of Rs 7,50,000 from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for alleged violations of subscriber verification norms. The telecommunications major disclosed this development under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations on February 17, 2026.

Penalty Details and Background

The penalty notice was issued by the Department of Telecommunications, Andhra Pradesh LSA, following a Customer Application Form (CAF) audit conducted for November 2025. The DoT conducts periodic CAF audits to ensure telecom operators comply with licensing terms and conditions related to adequate verification of customers before enrolling them as subscribers.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Under the terms of its license agreement, Bharti Airtel is required to ensure adequate verification of customers before enrolling them as subscribers and comply with all instructions issued by DoT in this regard. The DoT's sample CAF audit for November 2025 allegedly found violations of terms and conditions with respect to subscriber verification norms under the License Agreement.

Company's Response and Financial Impact

Bharti Airtel has decided not to contest the penalty and will proceed with payment of the imposed amount. The company has stated that the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the penalty levied, which amounts to Rs 7,50,000.

Regulatory Disclosure

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 read with Clause 20 of Para A of Part A of Schedule III of SEBI Listing Regulations. Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri signed the disclosure, confirming that the information provided is true, correct, and complete to the best of the company's knowledge and belief.

This penalty represents a routine regulatory matter for the telecommunications operator, with the company choosing to resolve the issue promptly by accepting and paying the imposed penalty rather than engaging in a prolonged contestation process.