Bharti Airtel Limited has received a penalty notice of Rs 2,09,000 from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for alleged violations of subscriber verification norms. The telecom major disclosed this development through a regulatory filing under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations on February 18, 2026.

Penalty Details and Background

The penalty notice was issued by the Department of Telecommunications, Karnataka LSA following a Customer Application Form (CAF) audit conducted for December 2025. The notice was received by the company on February 17, 2026 at 1340 hours IST.

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 in this regard. The Department of Telecommunications conducts periodic Customer Application Form audits to confirm compliance with licensing terms and conditions.

The DoT's sample CAF audit for December 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. The company stated that the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the penalty levied, which amounts to Rs 2,09,000.

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 regulatory filing on February 18, 2026, 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 telecom operator, with the financial impact being minimal given the company's scale of operations. The company's decision to accept and pay the penalty demonstrates its commitment to regulatory compliance and avoiding prolonged disputes with telecommunications authorities.

Bharti Airtel Limited has disclosed that its subsidiary Airtel Money Limited has successfully obtained a Certificate of Registration from the Reserve Bank of India, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the company's financial services operations. The company made this announcement through an official disclosure to stock exchanges on February 17, 2026.

RBI Registration Details

Airtel Money Limited received the Certificate of Registration on February 13, 2026, which formally grants the subsidiary authorization to operate as a non-banking financial company. The registration details are outlined below:

Official Disclosure and Compliance

Bharti Airtel made this disclosure to both the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited under Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Regulations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The disclosure was signed by Rohit Krishan Puri, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer, demonstrating adherence to transparency requirements for listed companies.

Operational Authorization

The certificate authorizes Airtel Money Limited to commence business as a non-banking financial institution with specific operational parameters. The subsidiary is permitted to conduct NBFC operations without accepting public deposits, ensuring compliance with RBI's regulatory framework for Type II NBFCs. All operations must adhere to conditions prescribed by the RBI in the certificate.

RBI Disclaimer Statement

As part of the regulatory requirements, Bharti Airtel included the mandatory RBI disclaimer statement in its disclosure:

Strategic Implications

This NBFC registration represents a crucial step in Bharti Airtel's financial services strategy, enabling Airtel Money Limited to expand its service offerings within the regulated financial sector. The Type II NBFC status provides the subsidiary with enhanced capabilities to serve customers while maintaining compliance with India's banking regulations. The registration strengthens the company's position in the digital financial services market, complementing its telecommunications operations with formal financial sector authorization.