Following a widely reported debt restructuring agreement granted to Vodafone Idea (Vi), India’s leading telecom operators, Bharti Airtel and Tata Group companies, are investigating alternatives to seek Vodafone Idea-style relief on their substantial adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues from the federal government. Years after the initial ruling, telecom companies in India have AGR liabilities of trillions of rupees, which puts significant strain on bank sheets. According to the most recent data, Tata’s total claims amount to about ₹19,259 crore, while Airtel has AGR liabilities of about ₹48,103 crore. Airtel, Vi, and Tata Teleservices were among the telecom companies that had previously petitioned the Supreme Court to waive interest, fines, and related costs on their AGR dues. The ability of the telecom industry to manage AGR dues while preserving competitive dynamics and investment momentum will continue to be a key concern as the industry changes.

Source: Economic Times January 16, 2026 09:55 UTC