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 the notice on March 11, 2026, imposing a penalty of Rs 2,02,000.

Penalty Details and Background

The penalty was imposed by the Department of Telecommunications, Karnataka LSA following a Customer Application Form (CAF) audit conducted for January 2026. The regulatory action stems from alleged violations of subscriber verification norms under the company's license agreement.

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 instructions issued by DoT. The Department of Telecommunications conducts periodic Customer Application Form audits to confirm compliance with licensing terms and conditions.

The CAF audit for January 2026 revealed alleged violations of terms and conditions with respect to subscriber verification norms under the License Agreement. These verification requirements are critical components of telecommunications licensing regulations designed to ensure proper customer onboarding processes.

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 stated that the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the penalty levied, which amounts to Rs 2,02,000.

Regulatory Filing and Disclosure

The disclosure was made under Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, on March 12, 2026. Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri signed the regulatory filing submitted to both NSE and BSE.

The filing included detailed annexure providing comprehensive information about the penalty notice, violation details, and the company's response. This disclosure ensures transparency with stakeholders regarding regulatory actions affecting the company.

Regulatory Framework

The penalty notice falls under the broader regulatory framework governing telecommunications operators in India. DoT's periodic audits are part of ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure telecom operators adhere to subscriber verification protocols and licensing conditions. These measures are designed to maintain the integrity of customer onboarding processes across the telecommunications sector.

Bharti Airtel Limited has received a penalty notice of Rs 7.10 lakh from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for alleged violations of subscriber verification norms. The telecom major disclosed this regulatory action through a filing under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations on February 21, 2026, with the penalty notice received on February 20, 2026 at 1905 Hrs IST.

Penalty Details and Regulatory Action

The penalty was imposed by the Department of Telecommunications, Andhra Pradesh LSA, following a routine Customer Application Form (CAF) audit conducted for December 2025. The regulatory action relates to alleged non-compliance with subscriber verification requirements under the company's license agreement.

Regulatory Compliance Framework

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 regarding customer verification processes. The Department of Telecommunications conducts periodic Customer Application Form audits to confirm compliance with licensing terms and conditions.

The December 2025 sample CAF audit revealed alleged violations of subscriber verification norms under the License Agreement, leading to the penalty notice being issued to the company.

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 stated that the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the penalty levied, indicating no additional operational or financial implications beyond the Rs 7.10 lakh penalty.

Regulatory Disclosure Compliance

The disclosure was made in compliance with SEBI Listing Regulations, specifically under Regulation 30 read with Clause 20 of Para A of Part A of Schedule III. Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri digitally signed the filing, confirming the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to both NSE and BSE.

The formal communication was addressed to both National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited, ensuring full regulatory compliance and transparency with stakeholders regarding the penalty notice from the telecommunications regulator.