Vodafone Idea’s Debt In Q3 FY25 Rises By 7% To Rs 2.17 Lakh Crore

Vodafone Idea Ltd. on Wednesday said that in the December quarter of the financial year 2024-25, the company's debt was Rs 2.17 lakh crore. It attributed the 7% increase in debt to statutory liabilities.

In comparison, the telecom company's total debt for the similar period in FY24 stood at Rs 2.03 lakh crore.

Of the company's total debt for the third quarter of FY25, payment obligations towards the government add up to nearly Rs 2.15 lakh crore. The balance Rs 2,300-crore involve debt taken from banks and financial institutions, the company's investor presentation showed.

“Debt from banks and financial institutions has reduced by Rs 107 billion (Rs 10,700 crore) over the last 2 years,” the presentation said.

This status of debt published in the presentation was before the government announced increasing its stake in the company to 48.99% from 22.6% by converting dues worth Rs 36,950 crore into Vodafone Idea’s equity.

The debt of Rs 36,950 crore comprised certain spectrum dues payable during FY26 to FY28.

The Aditya Birla group company completed the allotment of shares to the government on Tuesday, after which the government now holds 48.99% stake in the company.

According to the presentation, promoter firms Vodafone Group and Aditya Birla group hold 16.07% and 9.5% stake respectively in the company after the dues were converted into equity.

Earlier, the government had converted the telco’s debt of about Rs 16,130 crore comprising interest arising from deferment of adjusted gross revenue and spectrum instalments in February 2023.

Shares of Vodafone Idea Ltd. closed 1.11% lower at Rs 7.10 apiece on the BSE, compared to a 0.51% decline in the benchmark Sensex.

—With PTI inputs