Bharti Airtel board issues final call on partly-paid shares at ₹401.25/share

Telecom major Bharti Airtel Ltd on Thursday (December 18) said its board of directors has approved the first and final call of ₹401.25 per share, including a premium of ₹397.50, on 39.23 crore outstanding partly paid-up equity shares.

These equity shares have a face value of ₹5 each and a paid-up value of ₹1.25 each, and were issued on a rights basis pursuant to the letter of offer dated September 22, 2021.

The board fixed Friday, February 06, 2026, as the record date for determining the holders of the partly paid-up equity shares who will be liable to pay the amount on the first call. The call payment period will commence on March 02, 2026, and conclude on March 16, 2026.

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According to the company, proceeds from the call on the partly paid-up equity shares will be used primarily for pre-payment or repayment of borrowings, including accrued interest, and for general corporate purposes.

Following the pre-payment or repayment of borrowings, and supported by organic cash generation, the company’s India operations are expected to become effectively net debt-free in the near term, except for Department of Telecommunications liabilities and finance lease obligations.

Further, Bharti Airtel announced senior leadership changes following a meeting of its board of directors, approving the appointment of Shashwat Sharma as managing director and chief executive officer (Airtel India) and Soumen Ray as group chief financial officer.

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In an exchange filing, the company said the appointments were made based on the recommendations of its HR and Nomination Committee and are part of a planned succession process. Both appointments will take effect from January 1, 2026.

CEO Designate Shashwat Sharma will take over as managing director and CEO (Airtel India) for a period of five years. He will succeed Gopal Vittal, who will move into the role of executive vice chairman from the same date. Sharma has been working closely with Vittal over the past year as part of the transition process.

The board also approved the appointment of current Chief Financial Officer Soumen Ray as group CFO with effect from January 1, 2026. Ray will report to Gopal Vittal in his new role.

Shares of Bharti Airtel Ltd ended at ₹2,098.30, down by ₹9.70, or 0.46%, on the BSE.

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