Bharti Airtel: Airtel Money Gets Type II NBFC Licence from RBI – What It Means for Customers

Bharti Airtel on Tuesday announced that its subsidiary, Airtel Money, has received a Type II non-banking financial company (NBFC) registration from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

With this approval, Airtel Money can now commence the business of a non-banking financial institution without accepting public deposits.

In an exchange filing dated February 17, the company stated:

"...we wish to inform you that Airtel Money Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, has today received a Certificate of Registration ('Certificate') bearing Registration No. N-14.03676 dated February 13, 2026 as "Type II Non-Deposit accepting Non-Banking Financial Company ['Type II-NBFC-ND (ICC)']" from the Reserve Bank of India ('RBI') under section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934, to commence the business of non-banking financial institution without accepting public deposits subject to the conditions prescribed by the RBI in Certificate,"

What’s New for Airtel Money?

Permission to Operate as an NBFC

The certificate allows Airtel Money to begin operations as a non-banking financial institution, permitting NBFC activities without accepting public deposits, subject to compliance with all conditions and regulatory requirements set by the RBI.

A Type II-NBFC-ND (ICC) licence generally enables companies to undertake lending and other financial activities under a regulated framework, but without raising public deposits.

Strategic Significance

The NBFC registration marks a key milestone in Bharti Airtel’s financial services strategy. It allows Airtel Money Limited to broaden its offerings within a regulated structure, enhancing credibility and compliance.

The Type II NBFC status strengthens Airtel’s positioning in India’s rapidly expanding digital financial services ecosystem, complementing its telecom operations and digital platforms.

India’s fintech landscape has seen rapid growth in recent years, driven by digital payments adoption, UPI expansion and increasing smartphone penetration. Regulatory clarity through NBFC licensing can help companies scale responsibly while ensuring customer protection.

What Is Airtel Money?

Airtel Money is Bharti Airtel’s mobile commerce service that enables customers to:

• Send and receive money across networks

• Make utility and merchant payments

• Recharge mobile phones

• Conduct basic banking transactions

It offers secure, fast and 24×7 access to digital financial services directly through mobile phones.

With NBFC registration, Airtel Money could potentially expand into more structured lending or financial product offerings, subject to regulatory approvals and compliance norms.

Bharti Airtel Share Price Reaction

Shares of Bharti Airtel closed at Rs 2,019.75 per share on Tuesday, February 17 — which is 0.48 per cent below the previous close of Rs 2,029.40 apiece.

During the day, the stock traded between:

• Rs 2,037.90 (intra-day high)

• Rs 2,013.50 (intra-day low)

52-Week Range

• 52-week high: Rs 2,174.70 (November 21, 2025)

• 52-week low: Rs 1,561 (February 28, 2025)

The stock movement suggests limited immediate volatility, but the NBFC approval could be seen as a long-term strategic positive for the company’s fintech ambitions.

Why the RBI NBFC Licence Matters

Regulatory Oversight and Expansion

NBFC registration under Section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934 ensures that the entity operates under RBI supervision. This enhances:

• Regulatory compliance

• Operational transparency

• Consumer trust

For telecom-led fintech platforms like Airtel Money, regulatory recognition can enable deeper integration of financial services within digital ecosystems.

Strengthening the Telecom-Fintech Convergence

Globally, telecom companies are increasingly expanding into fintech to diversify revenue streams. With India’s strong digital payments infrastructure, including UPI and Aadhaar-linked services, telecom operators are well-positioned to leverage their large subscriber bases for financial inclusion initiatives.

The NBFC licence gives Airtel Money the regulatory foundation to participate more actively in India’s evolving digital credit and financial services market.

Conclusion

The RBI’s approval of Type II-NBFC-ND (ICC) status for Airtel Money marks a significant step in Bharti Airtel’s financial services expansion strategy. While the licence does not allow acceptance of public deposits, it provides a regulated pathway for non-banking financial operations.

As India’s digital economy continues to expand, Airtel Money’s NBFC registration could help the company strengthen its presence in fintech, diversify revenue streams, and deepen customer engagement beyond telecom services.