Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. Telecom giant Bharti Airtel posted a significant profit increase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, reporting a net profit of Rs 3,593 crore. This marks a 168% rise compared to the same period last year, when the company’s profit was Rs 1,340 crore. During the July-September quarter, Airtel’s consolidated operational revenue also saw an increase, rising by 12% year-over-year to Rs 41,473 crore. In comparison, the revenue for the same period last year was Rs 37,043 crore.

Shashwat Sharma Appointed as New MD and CEO

In a major management change, Airtel has announced Shashwat Sharma as its new Managing Director and CEO, effective January 1, 2026. Sharma currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and will be succeeding Gopal Vittal in this role. Meanwhile, Vittal, who has held the MD and CEO position for 12 years, will transition to the role of Executive Vice Chairman, effective from the same date. Sunil Bharti Mittal will continue as Chairman of the company.

Standalone vs. Consolidated Results

Airtel, like other large corporations, reports financial performance in two formats: standalone and consolidated. Standalone results reflect the performance of a single unit, whereas consolidated results provide a full picture of the company’s financials, encompassing all subsidiaries.

Airtel’s Stock Shows 80% Growth Over the Year

Airtel’s stock performance has been strong, with shares up 80% over the past year. As of today’s market close, Airtel’s stock settled at Rs 1,665, marking a minor drop of 0.057%. The stock has delivered a 24.96% return over the last six months and has risen 64.36% since the beginning of this year. Bharti Airtel’s current market capitalization stands at Rs 9.97 lakh crore.

ARPU Climbs to Rs 233 in Q2

In the July-September quarter, Airtel reported an Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of Rs 233, up 14.7% from the Rs 203 reported in the same quarter of the previous year. This metric reflects the company’s enhanced revenue-generating capacity per subscriber.

Background: Bharti Airtel’s Journey Since 1995

Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom providers, was founded in 1995 by Sunil Bharti Mittal. In the early 1990s, when the Indian government began licensing mobile services, Mittal seized the opportunity, partnering with French firm Vivendi to secure a license for Delhi and surrounding regions. Bharti Cellular Limited launched services under the Airtel brand, establishing itself as a major player in the Indian telecom market.