Bharti Airtel Receives Rs 7.10 Lakh DoT Penalty for Subscriber Verification Violations

2 min read     Updated on 21 Feb 2026, 08:12 PM
scanx
Reviewed by
Riya DScanX News Team
AI Summary

Bharti Airtel Limited disclosed receiving a Rs 7.10 lakh penalty notice from Department of Telecommunications, Andhra Pradesh LSA for alleged subscriber verification norm violations during December 2025 CAF audit. The company filed regulatory disclosure under SEBI Regulation 30 and decided not to contest the penalty, with financial impact limited to the penalty amount only.

powered bylight_fuzz_icon
33215141

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.

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.

Parameter: Details
Penalty Amount: Rs 7.10 lakh
Issuing Authority: Department of Telecommunications, Andhra Pradesh LSA
Notice Received: February 20, 2026 at 1905 Hrs IST
Audit Period: December 2025
Violation Type: Subscriber verification norms
Filing Date: February 21, 2026

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.

Impact Assessment: Details
Financial Impact: Rs 7.10 lakh penalty amount
Operational Impact: No significant operational disruption
Company Action: Payment without contest
Additional Costs: None indicated

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.

Bharti Airtel Receives Rs 2.09 Lakh Penalty from DoT for Subscriber Verification Violations

2 min read     Updated on 18 Feb 2026, 11:59 AM
scanx
Reviewed by
Radhika SScanX News Team
AI Summary

Bharti Airtel Limited has been penalized Rs 2,09,000 by the Department of Telecommunications Karnataka LSA for alleged subscriber verification norm violations discovered during a Customer Application Form audit for December 2025. The company received the penalty notice on February 17, 2026, and has decided not to contest it, choosing to proceed with payment to maintain regulatory compliance.

powered bylight_fuzz_icon
32941709

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.

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.

Parameter: Details
Penalty Amount: Rs 2,09,000
Issuing Authority: Department of Telecommunications, Karnataka LSA
Nature of Violation: Subscriber verification norm violations
Audit Period: December 2025
Receipt Date: 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.

Aspect: Company Position
Contest Decision: Will not contest the penalty
Payment Status: Will proceed with payment
Financial Impact: Limited to penalty amount of Rs 2,09,000
Operational Impact: No significant operational implications disclosed

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.

More News on