Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal has breathed new life into the company's proposed university project in Odisha following a meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The discussion centered around Vedanta's plans for an additional Rs 1 lakh crore investment in the state, with a particular focus on the establishment of a non-profit university.

University Project Revival

The university project, which had faced uncertainty due to land acquisition issues, received a boost as CM Majhi assured Agarwal that the proposed institution should be established in Odisha. This development comes after the Supreme Court upheld an Orissa High Court order in April 2023, which had raised questions about the project's future.

Key Points of Discussion

Agarwal's Vision

Anil Agarwal described the university as a "dream project," highlighting its potential impact on Indian education. He pointed out that nearly 7 lakh Indian students currently study abroad, spending between Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore each on their education.

Project Challenges and Support

While Vedanta plans to file a review petition in the Supreme Court regarding the land acquisition issues, Agarwal emphasized that the company will not proceed without public support. This stance underscores the importance of community backing for the project's success.

Alternative Proposals

Agarwal mentioned receiving proposals from 12 other states for the university project. However, he expressed a strong preference for establishing the institution in Odisha's Puri district, demonstrating the company's commitment to the state.

Credit Ratings Update

In a separate development, CRISIL Ratings Limited has maintained Vedanta Limited's credit ratings. The long-term rating remains at CRISIL AA with Watch Developing status, while the short-term rating has been reaffirmed at CRISIL A1+. These ratings, which remain unchanged from previous assessments, were published on October 24, 2025.

The revival of discussions around this educational initiative signals Vedanta's continued interest in contributing to India's educational landscape, particularly in Odisha. As the project develops, it will be crucial to monitor how the company navigates the legal challenges and garners public support for this ambitious undertaking.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Mumbai bench has issued significant directions regarding Talwandi Sabo Power Limited's (TSPL) scheme of arrangement application, marking a crucial step in Vedanta Limited 's ambitious demerger plan.

Key Developments

• Shareholder Meeting Dispensed: The NCLT has dispensed with the meeting of TSPL's equity shareholders, as the company received consent from all seven equity shareholders through affidavits.

• Creditor Meetings Mandated: The tribunal has directed TSPL to convene meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors within 90 days.

Creditor Details

Demerger Scheme Highlights

• Share Allocation: Under the scheme, shareholders will receive 1 fully paid-up equity share of TSPL (face value INR 10) for every 1 equity share of Vedanta Limited (face value INR 1).

• Business Separation: The demerger aims to separate Vedanta's businesses into independent entities, with TSPL set to receive the Merchant Power Undertaking.

• Strategic Objectives: The scheme is designed to create focused companies in aluminium, power, oil & gas, and iron ore businesses, potentially unlocking value and attracting diverse investor sets.

Implications and Outlook

This NCLT directive represents a significant milestone in Vedanta's corporate restructuring efforts. By allowing the dispensation of the equity shareholder meeting for TSPL, the process is streamlined, potentially accelerating the demerger timeline. However, the mandated creditor meetings underscore the importance of addressing the interests of all stakeholders in this complex corporate action.

The demerger strategy aligns with the global trend of conglomerates streamlining their operations to enhance focus and unlock shareholder value. For Vedanta, this move could lead to more specialized management of each business segment and potentially attract targeted investments in the separated entities.

As the process unfolds, market participants will be keenly watching how this restructuring impacts Vedanta's overall valuation and the individual performance of the soon-to-be-separated entities. The success of this demerger could set a precedent for other diversified conglomerates in India considering similar strategic realignments.