Bharti Airtel has disclosed receiving a penalty notice from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for alleged violations of subscriber verification norms. The telecommunications major received a penalty of ₹2.06 lakh from DoT Karnataka LSA on January 19, 2026, following a regulatory audit conducted for November 2025.

Regulatory Action Details

The penalty stems from DoT's periodic Customer Application Form (CAF) Audit, which is conducted to ensure compliance with licensing terms and conditions related to subscriber verification. The regulatory authority found alleged violations during its sample audit for November 2025.

Compliance Requirements and Audit Process

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 instructions issued by DoT. The telecommunications regulator conducts periodic CAF Audits to confirm compliance with licensing terms and conditions related to subscriber verification norms.

The DoT's sample audit for November 2025 allegedly found violations of terms and conditions with respect to subscriber verification norms under the License Agreement. These verification requirements are critical components of telecom licensing compliance in India.

Company 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 assessed that the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the penalty levied by the regulatory authority.

Regulatory Disclosure

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015. Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri signed the regulatory filing on January 20, 2026, confirming that the information provided is true, correct and complete to the best of the company's knowledge and belief.

The penalty represents a routine regulatory matter for the telecommunications operator, with the financial impact being minimal relative to the company's overall operations. Such CAF audits are standard regulatory procedures conducted by DoT to ensure telecom operators maintain proper subscriber verification protocols.

Bharti Airtel Limited witnessed significant institutional trading activity with a major block trade executed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The transaction represents substantial investor interest in one of India's leading telecommunications companies.

Block Trade Details

The NSE block trade involved a considerable volume and value, demonstrating active participation from institutional investors. The following table summarizes the key transaction parameters:

Transaction Significance

Block trades are typically executed by institutional investors, mutual funds, or large stakeholders looking to buy or sell substantial quantities of shares without significantly impacting the stock's market price. These transactions are conducted through special trading windows designed to handle large volumes efficiently.

The price of ₹2,003.20 per share reflects the valuation at which institutional participants were willing to transact in Bharti Airtel shares. Such transactions often provide insights into institutional sentiment and investment strategies regarding the company's prospects.

Market Impact

Block trades are executed separately from regular market trading to minimize disruption to normal price discovery mechanisms. The substantial value of ₹101.40 crores indicates significant capital movement in Bharti Airtel shares, reflecting the company's continued relevance in institutional investment portfolios.

The transaction involving over 500,000 shares demonstrates the liquidity available in Bharti Airtel stock and the willingness of market participants to engage in large-value transactions at the specified price level.