Bharti Airtel’s Airtel Money has begun commercial operations as a Type-II non-deposit accepting NBFC after receiving a certificate of registration from the Reserve Bank of India, the company said in a regulatory filing. The move allows the unit to directly undertake lending activities under a regulated framework.
The NBFC registration, granted on February 13, 2026, marks a shift for Airtel from its earlier role as a lending service platform to a balance-sheet lender. Airtel Money is now positioned to offer direct lending through its financial services unit, including to customers within the company’s digital ecosystem.
Airtel has described the NBFC move as part of a broader push to build a high-scale financial services platform. In February, the company said Airtel Money would be capitalised with ₹20,000 crore over the next few years, with Bharti Airtel contributing 70% and Bharti Enterprises providing the remaining 30%.
The launch gives Airtel a more direct role in India’s digital lending market and expands its non-telecom business footprint. Airtel Money is now operational as a Type-II NBFC-Investment and Credit Company, according to the company and published reports.
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