New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Airtel Payments Bank on Monday announced a leadership transition, with Bharti Enterprises Founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal set to step down as the bank’s Non-Executive Chairman and from its Board, effective September 30, 2026.
Shabnam Sinha, currently serving as an Independent Director on the bank’s Board, will take over as Chairperson for a three-year term beginning October 1, 2026. Her appointment has been approved by the Board and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
In an exchange filing, Airtel Payments Bank said the transition marked the conclusion of Mittal’s tenure as Non-Executive Chairman. Sinha’s appointment, it added, would take effect from October 1 following the necessary regulatory approval.
Sinha said she was honoured to take on the responsibility at a time when digital financial services are increasingly becoming an important pillar of India’s inclusive growth story.
“I am honoured to assume this responsibility at Airtel Payments Bank at a time when digital financial services are becoming the backbone of India's inclusive growth story,” she said.
She added that she looked forward to working closely with the Board and management team to build on the bank’s existing momentum, support its next phase of growth and expand its impact among customers, partners and communities.
According to Airtel Payments Bank, Sinha brings more than three decades of leadership and Board-level experience spanning development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation.
Her professional career also includes a stint with the World Bank, where she advised governments and institutions across Asia, Africa and Europe on areas including governance, risk management and operational effectiveness.
Mittal was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Airtel Payments Bank in April 2016, and has been associated with the bank since its early years. Under his leadership, the company said it developed into India’s largest payments bank by revenue, with operations covering both consumer and enterprise segments.
Reflecting on his departure from the Board, Mittal said it had been a privilege to serve as Chairman and expressed confidence in Sinha’s ability to build on the foundation established during his tenure.
He said he was confident that Sinha would help further strengthen Airtel Payments Bank’s position as a leading digital banking platform and guide the institution through its next phase of development.
The leadership transition comes as India’s digital financial services ecosystem continues to expand, with payments banks playing a role in extending access to digital banking and financial services.
Airtel Payments Bank has built its operations across consumer and enterprise businesses, leveraging digital platforms to provide banking and payment services to customers.
Meanwhile, shares of Bharti Airtel closed at Rs 1,975 on Monday, declining Rs 17.10, or 0.86 per cent, from the previous close.
The change at Airtel Payments Bank marks the end of Mittal’s decade-long tenure as its Non-Executive Chairman and places Sinha at the helm for a three-year term beginning October 2026.
