Bharti Airtel incorporates new subsidiary Airtel Money
The entity was officially incorporated on July 8, 2025, with an initial authorised share capital of Rs 10,00,000 and a paid-up/subscribed share capital of Rs 1,00,000. The investment qualifies as a related party transaction, with shares subscribed at par and on an arms length basis, it added.
The listed entity holds 100% shareholding in the acquired entity, with no additional shares acquired beyond this ownership percentage. The incorporated entity belongs to the financial services industry.
Airtel Money Wallet, a digital wallet service of Airtel Payments Bank, Airtels non-bank financial entity, enables users to make seamless online and offline payments, recharge mobiles, and pay utility bills directly from their mobile phones. The new subsidiary is expected to further enhance Airtels capabilities in the fast-growing digital payments space.
Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel also revealed a significant expansion of its partnership with Ericsson. The two companies have entered into a new agreement to bolster Airtels Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services in India.
Bharti Airtel has expanded its collaboration with Ericsson to enhance its Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services in India.
Under this partnership, Ericsson will deploy its advanced core network solutions to improve Airtels FWA capabilities, with the aim of delivering a superior customer experience.
As part of the agreement, Ericsson is introducing a next-generation platform that offers higher capacity while reducing the physical footprint and improving total cost of ownership. This development builds on the previously announced dual-mode 5G Core solution, which forms the foundation for Airtels transition to a unified, future-ready 5G Standalone (SA) network infrastructure.
Ericsson has been a long-standing technology partner of Bharti Airtel for over 25 years, supporting every generation of mobile communication. It was also awarded Airtels first 5G contract in India.
Bharti Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 550 million customers in 15 countries across South Asia and Africa.
The telecom major's consolidated net profit soared 432.04% to Rs 11,021.8 crore in Q4 FY25 as against Rs 2,071.6 crore reported in Q4 FY24. Revenue from operations increased 27.33% YoY to Rs 47,876.2 crore in Q4 FY25, driven by strong underlying momentum in India, a rebound in reported currency revenue growth in Africa and full quarter impact of Indus Towers consolidation. Average revenue per user (ARPU) for the quarter stood at Rs 245, up 17.78% over Rs 209 in Q4 FY24.
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Indian Express
5 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India's Cybercrime Challenge : Rise and Response
UPSC Issue at a Glance is an initiative by UPSC Essentials aimed at streamlining your UPSC Current Affairs preparation for the prelims and mains examinations by focusing on issues making headlines. Every Thursday, cover a new topic in a lucid way. This week, we explain to you the cybercrime challenge for India from a broader perspective. Let's get started. If you missed the previous UPSC Issue at a Glance | Genetically Modified (GM) Crops and India: 4 essential questions to understand the debate from the Indian Express, read it here. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has estimated that a significant portion of the cyber scams targeting Indians come from Southeast Asia. It attributes over half of the approximately Rs 7,000 crore lost to online scams in the first five months of this year, January to May, to networks operating out of Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. According to data compiled by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit under MHA, these scams are often run from high-security locations, reportedly controlled by Chinese operators, where trafficked people, including Indians, are forced to work. Given the rising cases of cyber scams and frauds, which presents a big challenge to India on multiple fronts, it becomes essential to cover this UPSC current affairs topic comprehensively by linking it with the static portion of the UPSC syllabus. (Relevance: UPSC Syllabus General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, basics of cyber security. Cybersecurity is an important topic for the UPSC exam. Mains questions in General Studies III have been asked on various elements of cyber security and India's comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy.) Recently the government's flagship 'Digital India' programme completed ten years on July 1. In the last decade, India has made transformational changes in the adoption of digital technology. It has emerged as the fastest-growing digital economy. As it continues to expand, it has become a way of life for citizens. But this digital revolution has also produced some challenges not only for policymakers but also for the security apparatus. These challenges come in different forms of cyber crimes. In general cybercrime is defined as 'Any unlawful act where a computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the commission of crime'. Cybercrime encompasses a wide range of malicious activities, including identity theft, financial fraud, hacking, cyberstalking, and the distribution of harmful software, among others. Some of them are explained below: 1. Phishing: It is a common type of cyber-attack that targets individuals through email, text messages, phone calls, and other forms of communication. A phishing attack aims to trick the recipient into falling for the attacker's desired action, such as revealing financial information, system login credentials, or other sensitive information. Fundamentally, these threats exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. 2. Ransomware attacks: It is a specific type of malware. It typically locks the system to prevent users from accessing their own system or personal files. Only after receiving ransom demand by the attacker, the access is regranted to the user, without which data is permanently lost or, in some cases, made publicly available. India has witnessed a sharp 55 per cent hike in ransomware incidents, with 98 recorded attacks in 2024. The highest number of such activities was reported in May and October. The latest figures were revealed by the 'Ransomware Trends 2024: Insights for Global Cybersecurity Readiness' report released by CyberPeace, a non-profit organisation for cybersecurity. 3. Whale Phishing: Unlike the typical phishing scams, whale phishing or spear phishing are focused on specific individuals. The difference between whaling and spear phishing is that whaling exclusively targets high-ranking individuals within an organization, while spear phishing usually goes after a category of individuals with a lower profile. 4. Smishing: It is a cyber-attack that targets individuals through SMS or text messages. The term is a combination of 'SMS' and 'phishing'. 5. Vishing (short for voice phishing): It consists of phone calls from fraudsters pretending to be officials, such as bank representatives, trick victims into revealing OTPs or account details. 6. Cyber stalking: It is the use of electronic communication by a person to follow a person, or attempts to contact a person to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by such person; or monitors the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication commits the offence of stalking. 7. Identity Theft: Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without your permission—such as your, bank account number, and credit card information— to gain financial benefits or commit fraud. Thieves can use your information to access personal accounts, open up new accounts without your permission, make unauthorized transactions, or commit crimes. 8. Ponzi and Investment Schemes: Apps and websites promising unrealistic high returns, often operating without regulatory oversight, lure users into fraudulent schemes. 9. Trojan horse: It is a destructive program that looks as a genuine application. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. Trojans open a backdoor entry to your computer which gives malicious users/programs access to your system, allowing confidential and personal information to be theft. Cyber threats have transformed into sophisticated, AI-powered operations, meticulously designed to exploit human vulnerabilities. Ankita Deshkar of The Indian Express writes, 'Latest attacks are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to detect. These aren't just incremental improvements—they represent a fundamental reimagining of digital threat strategies.' Dr Chiranjiv Roy, global head of data science, machine learning and applied generative AI at lists some common threats: 1. Personalised phishing: AI enables attackers to scrape social media profiles and create highly targeted phishing emails. For instance, a professional in Bengaluru might receive an email mimicking a local job portal, claiming to offer a high-paying job at Infosys. 2. Deepfake technology: AI-generated voices and videos are used in vishing calls to impersonate trusted figures. For example, deepfake voice calls of CEOs have been used to authorise fraudulent financial transfers in Indian companies too. 3. Polymorphic malware: AI-powered phishing campaigns can deploy malware that constantly evolves its code, bypassing traditional antivirus programs. 4. Chatbots for smishing: AI bots mimic human-like interactions in messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, making fraudulent schemes more believable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber attacks reached new heights. Smishing attacks claiming to offer COVID-19 relief funds were common and led to widespread data theft.' With the rapid digitalisation, exposure to cyber threats and digital risks has increased, which are getting sophisticated day by day. The surge in digital fraud is a matter of concern. Frauds present multiple challenges for the financial system in the form of reputational risk, operational risk, business risk and the erosion of customer confidence with financial stability implications. It also presents a security challenge. In this context, to tackle the cybercrime challenge, first understanding the factors contributing to the surge in cybercrimes in India is essential. One of the primary reasons for the increase in cybercrime cases is the exponential growth in the number of internet users. As more people conduct their financial transactions, social interactions, and professional activities online, the opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities have multiplied. The sophistication of cyber attacks has also evolved, with criminals employing advanced techniques such as phishing, ransomware, and social engineering to breach security measures. Additionally, the shift to remote work and increased online activities expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals. Many individuals and organisations were unprepared for the rapid digital transition, leaving gaps in their cybersecurity defences that were easily exploited. Another contributing factor is the anonymity and borderless nature of the internet, which allows cybercriminals to operate from any location, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to track and prosecute offenders. The lack of stringent cybersecurity laws and international cooperation in some regions further complicates efforts to combat cybercrime. India has a comprehensive legal framework to address cybercrimes. The Information Technology Act, 2000 covers offences related to phishing, smishing, and vishing, prescribing fines and imprisonment. The three new criminal laws, namely, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, repealed the British-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, also address the evolving digital landscape and the growing threat of cybercrime. Rameesh Kailasam writes, 'The three laws enable the registration of electronic First Information Reports (FIRs) and establish electronic evidence as a primary form of proof. Under the BNSS, 2023, data collection is permitted for criminal identification. Additionally, it stipulates that all trials, inquiries, and proceedings may be conducted in electronic mode. The production of electronic communication devices, likely to contain digital evidence, will be allowed for investigation, inquiry, or trial. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, appears to adapt to the digital age. It classifies electronic records as documents. Under the Indian Evidence Act, electronic records are classified as secondary evidence. However, under the new law, electronic records are categorised as primary evidence. It expands such records to include information stored in semiconductor memory or any communication devices (such as smartphones, and laptops). The new laws facilitate the enhanced use of technology for efficient evidence collection and presentation. It is evident that these amendments to India's legal framework will ease both investigation and the judicial process, particularly for cases related to cybersecurity.' Other initiatives The changing geo-political and economic shifts have also compelled the Indian government to take active steps to evolve in cyberspace. Thus, beyond the legal framework, various other measures have also been taken by the government. 1. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): It was officially inaugurated by Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on the 10th of January 2020, to combat Cybercrime in the country and strengthen the overall security apparatus to fight against Cybercrime. In September 2024, four I4C platforms — Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC), the 'Samanvaya' platform, a Cyber Commandos programme and a Suspect Registry — were inaugurated by the Home Minister. The Central Suspect Registry serves as a central-level database with consolidated data on cybercrime suspects from across the country. The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) has been tasked with establishing the Suspect Registry. The CFMC focuses on addressing online financial fraud and scams. It looks to prevent cybercrimes by facilitating cooperation between various stakeholders such as major banks, payment aggregators, telecom companies, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), central agencies, and local police on a single platform. The Samanvaya Platform, also known as the Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facilitation System, is designed as a single repository of data pertaining to cyber crimes. 2. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): Under the provisions of section 70B of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the CERT-In is designated as the national agency for responding to cyber security incidents. The CERT-In plays a vital role in controlling cybersecurity incidents and coordinating incident response activities. It acts as the central agency for incident response, vulnerability handling, and security management in India's cyberspace. 3. Cyber Swachhta Kendra: The Cyber Swachhta Kendra is an initiative that focuses on detecting and removing malicious botnet programs from computers and devices. It provides free tools for malware analysis and helps improve the security of systems and devices. 4. ' domain for banks: To combat the increasing number of digital payment frauds, in February this year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the introduction of the ' an exclusive internet domain for Indian banks. On 22nd April, the regulator decided to operationalise the '. domain for banks. A domain name is used to find websites. It is considered a symbol of national identity on the global internet. This exclusive internet domain for domestic banks will minimise cyber security threats and will help in strengthening trust in the country's digital banking and payment services. With the migration to the new domain, all banks in the country will have '. as the domain name. Currently, banks are either using '.com' or '. as their domain name, which is more generic. The RBI has given banks time till October 31, 2025 to migrate to '. 5. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: It is an initiative of Government of India to facilitate victims/complainants to report cyber crime complaints online. The portal caters all types of cyber crime complaints including complaints pertaining to online Child Pornography (CP), Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or sexually explicit content such as Rape/Gang Rape (CP/RGR) content and other cyber crimes such as mobile crimes, online and social media crimes, online financial frauds, ransomware, hacking, cryptocurrency crimes and online cyber trafficking. 6. Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS): It has been developed by the I4C and is operated by respective State/UT which brings together Law Enforcement Agencies of States/UTS, Banks and Financial Intermediaries on a single platform to take immediate action on the complaints regarding financial cyber frauds received through helpline number 1930. 7. New e-Zero FIR: I4C has introduced the new e-Zero FIR initiative to automatically converts cyber financial crime complaints with a cheating value above Rs 10 lakh, registered on the 1930 helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), into FIRs. 8. Sanchar Saathi: It is a citizen-centric initiative by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to empower mobile users and enhance their security. It offers various services, including tracing lost/stolen mobile devices, checking the number of mobile connections in one's name, verifying the genuineness of mobile handsets, and reporting suspicious international calls with Indian numbers. The portal also facilitates reporting of unwanted or fraudulent connections. 9. On 6th December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it has created an AI-powered model called which could reduce digital fraud by helping banks deal with the increasing problem of 'mule' bank accounts. It has been developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub. In recent years, the government has also increased the budget allocation to cybersecurity. However, challenges remain. There is a need for effective utilisation, transparency, and accountability in fund allocation. Collaboration between the government, industry, and academia is vital for a robust approach. It is also imperative for individuals, organizations, and governments to prioritize cybersecurity. This includes investing in robust security infrastructure, conducting regular security awareness training, and implementing strict data protection measures. Additionally, fostering international collaboration to share intelligence and best practices is crucial for effectively combating cybercrime on a global scale. Prelims (1) In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (2) In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (UPSC CSE 2020) 1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one's computer 2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so 3. Cost of hiring a specialised consultant to minimise the loss in case of cyber extortion 4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (3) The terms 'WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue' sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to (UPSC CSE 2018) (a) Exoplanets (b) Cryptocurrency (c) Cyber attacks (d) Mini satellites Mains What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (UPSC CSE 2022) (Sources: Exclusive: Indians losing Rs 1,000 crore every month to cyber frauds, Knowledge Nugget | '. domain for banks, A look at digital banking scams, FatBoyPanel?, Unmasking digital deception, Knowledge nugget: India stares at a steep cyber crime challenge. Is it prepared?, Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Economic Times
5 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Need for a deeper cash equities market, longer tenure F&O contracts: Sebi official
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Narayan pointed out that India's equity derivatives market is heavily skewed towards ultra-short-term trades, particularly expiry-day index options. He warned that such activity, unlike longer-duration contracts, may hinder meaningful capital formation."Research has suggested that expiry day option trading increases market volatility and could lead to noise trading that may potentially undermine confidence in price formation," Narayan said."I would strongly endorse the view that towards this end, we must look for further ways to further deepen our cash equities markets, even as we look to improve the quality of our derivatives market by extending the tenure and maturity of the products and solutions on offer," the WTM Read: India has staggering 80% market share in global index, stock options: Uday Kotak In its latest study, Sebi highlighted that 91% of individual traders incurred net losses trading in F&O in FY25, with their aggregate losses crossing Rs 1 lakh crore. This was despite multiple measures taken by the market watchdog to curb speculative trading in the derivatives market."This is a large sum of money that could have otherwise gone towards responsible investing and capital formation," Narayan said in his Sebi official also highlighted the uniqueness of the Indian derivative market ecosystem, where on the expiry days, comparable turnover in index options is often 350 times or more the turnover in the underlying cash called this imbalance "obviously unhealthy" with several potential adverse consequences. Ananth Narayan acknowledged that the regulatory changes introduced in October 2024 and May 2025 have resulted in the moderation of the Read: Shankar Sharma slams high options trading costs in India, calls it 'frightfully expensive He emphasised that it was beyond doubt that derivatives and speculative trades are vital for price discovery, hedging, and ensuring market depth.
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Business Standard
5 minutes ago
- Business Standard
SEBI aims to deepen equity market, flags concerns over derivatives frenzy
SEBI on Thursday expressed concern over the growing dominance of ultra-short-term derivatives trading, cautioning that such trends could undermine the health of India's capital markets, while contemplating steps to extend the tenure and maturity of these products. Very short-term derivatives continue to dominate equity derivative volumes, especially expiry-day index options. This is an imbalance that is obviously unhealthy and may have potential for adverse consequences," said SEBI Whole-Time Member Ananth Narayan. He was addressing the 11th Capital Markets Conclave organised by the CII. "I would strongly endorse the view that, towards this end, we must look for ways to further deepen our cash equities markets, even as we look to improve the quality of our derivatives market by extending the tenure and maturity of the products and solutions on offer. We need constructive engagement from all stakeholders to achieve this," he said. Citing the market regulator's own research, Narayan pointed out that 91 per cent of individual traders in futures and options (F&O) incurred net losses in FY25 - collectively losing over Rs 1 lakh crore - funds that could otherwise contribute to responsible investing and capital formation. He highlighted that the Indian derivatives market is unique, with expiry-day index option turnover often exceeding the cash market by as much as 350 times. Unlike longer-term derivatives, these short-term products contribute little to capital formation and may actually add to market volatility, Narayan said. While acknowledging that exchanges, brokers, and other intermediaries have significant revenue dependence on such trading volumes, the SEBI official questioned the sustainability of this trend. Is all this at all sustainable? he asked. SEBI has already introduced regulatory measures in October 2024 and May 2025 aimed at curbing excesses in this space, which Narayan said are showing some early signs of moderation. However, he emphasised the need for continuous engagement with stakeholders to ensure that both capital formation and market health are protected. We must look for ways to deepen our cash equities markets while improving the quality of derivatives through longer-tenure products, Narayan said, urging industry collaboration. Responding to a question, he underscored the advantages of listing, particularly in the current environment where valuations are very, very attractive. Going public can unlock substantial value and enable companies to raise capital in a very meaningful manner, acting as a force multiplier for achieving scale and growth. SEBI is working to boost participation and innovation across asset classes by enhancing transparency in corporate bonds, InvITs, REITs, municipal bonds, and expanding commodity derivatives. It has urged all stakeholders to support these efforts. Narayan underscored that preserving trust is the key ingredient for healthy capital markets. Our funds ecosystem has grown significantly with substantial growth in both issuances and investments. Something good is underway around capital formation, he noted. However, he warned that unchecked speculation, governance failures, technology lapses, market manipulation, or flawed market design (Type I errors) could destroy investor trust and kill the goose that is laying golden eggs. At the same time, he cautioned against over-regulation (Type II errors) that might stifle legitimate business or capital formation. We in SEBI look at both risks very closely and undertake extensive consultations to minimise both together, he assured. Narayan urged exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories to maintain strong operational resilience and risk management while balancing commercial interests with public trust. He also called upon intermediaries and industry players to act as trusted advisors. When you see something wrong, please say something. And when you seek regulatory relief, please engage with us openly on how risks of potential Type I errors will be mitigated, he said. Narayan also emphasised that compliance with disclosure and governance standards associated with being a listed entity enhances long-term sustainability, likening transparency to sunlight being the best disinfectant. He expressed a personal hope to see more micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) list and grow into large national champions, though he reiterated that the choice ultimately rests with promoters. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
