Shares of Airtel closed at ₹2,092.05 apiece on the BSE on Thursday, down 0.79 per cent from the previous close
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Bharti Airtel (Airtel) on Thursday said that its Board has approved access of the remaining ₹15,740 crore proceeds from the ₹21,000 crore rights issue that was originally issued in September 2021, as it looks to reduce debt and strengthen its balance sheet.
“As per the objects of the Issue, the proceeds from the Call on the partly paid-up equity shares will be utilised primarily for pre-payment/ repayment of borrowings (including accrued interest) and general corporate purposes. Following the pre/ repayment of the borrowings and along with its organic cash generation, the company’s India operations are expected to become effectively net debt-free in the near term except for DoT (Department of Telecommunications) liabilities and Finance Lease Obligations, thereby further strengthening its balance sheet,” the company said in a filing to the stock exchanges.
The Board has fixed Friday, February 6, 2026 as the Record Date for the purpose of determining the holders of the partly paid-up equity shares who shall be liable to pay the money on the First Call, Airtel said adding that the Call payment period will commence on March 2, 2026 and end on March 16, 2026.
The Board has approved “first and final call of ₹401.25 per share (including a premium of ₹397.50), on 392,287,662 outstanding partly paid-up equity shares of face value of ₹5 each (paid-up value of ₹1.25 each), issued by the company on a rights basis pursuant to letter of offer dated September 22, 2021 (the ‘Issue’),’ it added.
₹2 lakh crore debt
The company has a debt of around ₹2 lakh crore, 40 per cent of which are outstanding AGR and spectrum payments to the government. The rest are obligations to banks and other institutions.
Shares of Airtel closed at ₹2,092.05 apiece on the BSE on Thursday, down 0.79 per cent from the previous close.
Published on December 18, 2025
