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.

Penalty Details and Background

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

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Under the terms of its license agreement, bharti airtel - pp is required to ensure adequate verification of customers before enrolling them as subscribers. The company must comply with all instructions issued by DoT regarding customer verification processes.

DoT 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, leading to the penalty notice.

Company's Response

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.

Financial Impact Assessment

The disclosure was made in compliance with SEBI Listing Regulations, with Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri confirming the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to the stock exchanges.

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.