Bharti Airtel Limited has received a penalty notice of Rs 6.78 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 10, 2026.

Penalty Details and Background

The Department of Telecommunications, Andhra Pradesh LSA imposed the penalty following alleged violations of subscriber verification norms during a routine audit. The company received the penalty notice on February 09, 2026 at 1702 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. The regulatory authority conducts periodic Customer Application Form (CAF) Audits to confirm compliance with licensing terms and conditions.

The DoT conducted a sample CAF Audit for October 2025 and alleged violations of terms and conditions with respect to subscriber verification norms under the License Agreement. These verification requirements are critical components of telecom licensing obligations designed to ensure proper customer onboarding processes.

Company Response and Financial Impact

Bharti Airtel has decided to accept the penalty without contesting the DoT's findings. The company stated that the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the penalty levied, which amounts to Rs 6.78 lakh.

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 10, 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 relatively minimal given the company's scale of operations. The company's decision to pay rather than contest suggests an approach focused on maintaining regulatory relationships while addressing compliance gaps.

Bharti Airtel management has disclosed during a recent conference call that the company has been actively seeking clarity from regulatory authorities regarding the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues case. The telecom operator has sent multiple letters to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as part of its ongoing engagement with the regulatory body.

Regulatory Engagement Details

The company's management confirmed that multiple correspondence has been initiated with the DoT to obtain clarity on various aspects of the AGR dues case. This proactive approach demonstrates the company's commitment to ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while seeking necessary clarifications on implementation aspects.

Current Status

As of the conference call, Bharti Airtel is awaiting an official response from the Department of Telecommunications regarding the queries raised in their letters. The company appears to be taking a measured approach by maintaining regular communication with the regulatory authority to address any outstanding concerns or clarifications needed regarding the AGR dues matter.

The AGR dues case has been a significant regulatory matter affecting the Indian telecommunications sector, and telecom operators continue to engage with authorities to ensure proper understanding and compliance with the established framework.