Vodafone Idea Limited has received a GST order imposing a penalty of ₹64.91 lakh from tax authorities, the telecom company disclosed on December 26, 2025. The order was issued under Section 73 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, along with applicable demand and interest components.

GST Order Details

The Joint Commissioner of State Tax, Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, passed the order confirming the penalty amount. The company received this communication on December 26, 2025, and has made the disclosure pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015.

Nature of Alleged Violation

The GST order pertains to allegations of excess claim of Input Tax Credit during the financial year 2021-22. The tax authorities have imposed the penalty based on their assessment of the company's Input Tax Credit claims for that particular period.

Company's Response and Financial Impact

Vodafone Idea has clearly stated its disagreement with the order and indicated that it will take appropriate action for rectification or reversal of the same. The company has assessed that the maximum financial impact would be limited to the extent of tax demand, interest, and penalty levied under this order.

Regulatory Compliance

The disclosure was made by Company Secretary Pankaj Kapdeo in compliance with SEBI Master Circular no. SEBI/HO/CFD/CFD/PoD2/CIR/P/0155 dated November 11, 2024. The company has provided detailed information as required under the regulatory framework, ensuring transparency with stakeholders regarding material developments that could impact its operations.

Vodafone Idea has unveiled its strategic roadmap for 2026, emphasizing 5G network expansion, AI-driven services, and enhanced consumer offerings as it navigates India's competitive telecommunications landscape. The company communicated these developments through a customer letter outlining its key initiatives and service improvements.

Network Infrastructure and 5G Expansion

Vodafone Idea has significantly expanded its network infrastructure by adding a substantial number of towers across the country to improve coverage and capacity. The company's 5G deployment strategy shows measured progress with services currently operational in 29 cities.

The operator continues to trail behind competitors Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio in 5G rollouts, as both rivals initiated nationwide deployments earlier. Vi's approach combines AI-based self-optimized 4G network operations with gradual 5G expansion to additional locations.

AI-Driven Safety and Security Features

A central component of Vi's strategy involves AI-powered safety services designed to address growing security concerns. The company's spam protection service, Vi Protect, has demonstrated significant impact in combating fraudulent communications.

The introduction of International Call Display and Calling Name Presentation addresses regulatory requirements while enhancing user security. These features enable users to identify callers even when numbers are not saved in their contact lists, responding to increased regulatory attention on scam calls and fraudulent messaging.

Consumer Services and Digital Offerings

Vodafone Idea has expanded its consumer service portfolio with new financial and insurance products designed to enhance customer value propositions.

International Services and Insurance

The company launched a bundled international roaming solution featuring a Forex Card available through its mobile application. This card offers zero foreign exchange markup and acceptance in over 180 countries. Additionally, Vi introduced a handset loss insurance program linked to mobile recharges, covering devices up to ₹25,000.00 with a fully digital claims process.

App-Centric Digital Ecosystem

Vi continues developing its mobile application as a central platform for various services including:

• Bill payments and recharges
• Entertainment services
• FASTag recharges
• Insurance products
• EMI services

The company has expanded partnerships across travel, fintech, IoT, and MSME services, though specific financial details and partner names were not disclosed. This approach aligns with digital ecosystem strategies employed by competing telecom operators.

Customer Satisfaction Metrics

Vodafone Idea highlighted its 4.5-star rating on Google Reviews as validation of service improvements and customer satisfaction initiatives. The company positions this customer feedback as evidence of progress in service quality enhancement efforts.

The telecom operator's 2026 roadmap reflects a comprehensive approach combining network infrastructure development, technology innovation, and service diversification as it competes in India's dynamic telecommunications market.