We have audited the accompanying financial statements of ‘SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited’ (the ‘Company’), which comprise the Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2026, the Statement of Profit and Loss (including Other Comprehensive Income), the Statement of Changes in Equity and the Statement of Cash Flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements including a summary of material accounting policies and other explanatory information (the ‘financial statements’).
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the aforesaid financial statements give the information required by the Companies Act, 2013, as amended (the ‘Act’) in the manner so required and give a true and fair view in conformity with the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) prescribed under section 133 of the Act read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended, and accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31, 2026, its profit and other comprehensive income), its changes in equity and its cash flows for the year ended on that date.
BASIS FOR OPINION
We conducted our audit of the financial statements in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (‘SAs’) specified under section
143(10) of the Act. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the ‘Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements’ section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the Code of Ethics issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements under the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the ICAI’s Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence obtained by us is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on the financial statements.
EMPHASIS OF MATTER
We draw attention to the following matters stated in the financial statements:
a) Note no. 37.1.2, regarding carrying of additional impairment provision amounting to ' 220 crores by way of management overlay over and above the impairment provision as per approved ECL model as of March 31, 2026 for the reasons stated in the said note.
b) Note no. 56.19.5, regarding reversal of GST liability amounting to ' 76.57 crores (including ' 54.41 crores pertaining to FY 2024-25) on late payment fees billed but not collected from the customers, pursuant to change in tax practice for payment of GST on late payment fees which is in line with GST laws.
Our opinion is not modified in respect of the above matters.
KEY AUDIT MATTERS
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context.
We have determined the matters described below to be the key audit matters to be communicated in our report.
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Sr.
' Key Audit Matter No.
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How the matter was addressed in the audit
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1 Assessment of impairment loss allowance based on expected credit loss (ECL) on Loans (Refer note - 37.1.2 of the financial statements)
In accordance with Ind AS 109, the Company applies expected credit loss (ECL) model for measurement and recognition of impairment loss on the financial assets.
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Our audit procedures relating to the expected credit loss (ECL) include the following, among others:
We obtained a comprehensive understanding of ECL model with the help of presentations & active interaction with risk management team of the Company.
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Sr.
No.
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Key Audit Matter
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How the matter was addressed in the audit
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For recognition of impairment loss on loans to the
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We examined the policies approved by the Board of Directors of the
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customers, where no significant increase in credit risk
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Company. We also verified the methodology adopted for computation
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(SICR) has been observed, such assets are classified
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of ECL (‘ECL Model') that meets the requirement of policies approved
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in “Stage 1” and a 12 months ECL is recognised.
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by the Board of Directors, procedures and controls for assessing and
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Loans that are categorised into SICR are considered in
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measuring the credit risk and that ECL model itself and output of the
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“Stage 2” and those which are in default or there exists
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ECL model are consistent with the documented ECL model. We also
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objective evidence of impairment are considered to be
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verified that the ECL model and its output has the approval of the
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in “Stage 3”. Lifetime ECL is recognised for stage 2 and
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Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
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stage 3 Loans. At every reporting date, the historical observed default rates are updated and changes in the forward-looking estimates are analysed.
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We have also examined and discussed with the management the basis / reasoning for creating additional provision by way of management overlay over and above the impairment provision as per approved
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Quantitative factors like days past due, behavior of
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ECL model.
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the customer, historical losses incurred on defaults and macro-economic data points identified by the Management's expert and qualitative factors like
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We also examined that Company's accounting policies in relation to impairment allowance are in accordance with Ind AS 109.
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nature of the underlying loan, deterioration in credit
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We also evaluated:
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quality correlation with macro-economic variables are used to determine expected losses, revision in the management overlay and related Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, to the extent applicable, etc. have
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• the assumptions used in the calculation of ECL and its various aspects such as determination of Probability of Default, Loss Given Default, Exposure at Default, Staging of Loans, etc.;
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been taken into account in the ECL computation.
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• t he completeness and accuracy of source data used by the
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Considering the inherent judgmental nature, the
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Management for ECL computation; and
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complexity of model involved, degree of estimate
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• ECL computations for their reasonableness. Portfolio
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involved in the model and computation of impairment
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categorisation into appropriate stages (Stage 1, Stage 2 and
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loss allowance along with the significance of the
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Stage 3) for purposes of measurement of ECL was analysed on
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amount and its impact on the financial statements of
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the basis of their past-due status.
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the Company, this area has been considered as key audit matter.
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• The adequacy of presentation and disclosures in the financial
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statements with respect to expected credit loss including the specific disclosure made with regards to revision in ECL model.
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2
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Performing an audit in an automated environment
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Our audit procedures with respect to this matter included the
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that is driven by IT systems & applications
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following:
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The business operates in an automated environment
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Having obtained a comprehensive understanding of the IT systems
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and has a complex IT structure as significant number
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and the automated environment of the Company, identification
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of transactions are processed through its inter-
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of related checks and balances, information systems audit report
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dependent IT systems.
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submitted by an outside expert (CERT-In empaneled vendor), report
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Appropriate IT general controls and IT application controls are required to ensure that such IT systems process operations in an accurate, complete, effective,
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submitted by internal audit cell on internal financial controls as designed & operative in automated environment, we redesigned our audit procedures so as to align with the automated process.
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efficient, and consistent way for reliable financial
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With respect to IT system, our focus includes user access and security
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reporting.
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controls, network operations, automated calculations, and database
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Due to pervasive use of IT systems, high level of
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management. In detail:
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automation and its impact on the financial reporting
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• Ensured that systems are developed, configured and
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of the business, we have considered ‘IT Systems and
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implemented to meet financial reporting objectives.
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Controls' to be a key audit matter.
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• Assessed User Access Management i.e., process of identifying,
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tracking, controlling and managing a specified users' access to an IT system.
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• Covered logics & controls over reports used in business which
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are system driven.
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Where control deficiencies have been identified, we have tested compensating controls or performed alternative audit procedures, wherever necessary.
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INFORMATION OTHER THAN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITORS’ REPORT THEREON
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, but does not include the financial statements and auditors’ report thereon, The Annual Report is expected to be made available to us after the date of this auditors’ report.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained during the course of our audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
When we read the Annual Report, if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the matter to ‘Those Charged With Governance’ (TCWG).
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT AND THOSE CHARGED WITH GOVERNANCE FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the matters stated in section 134(5) of the Act with respect to the preparation of these financial statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance including other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Company in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, including the Indian Accounting Standards (“Ind AS") notified under section 133 of the Act read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended from time to time. This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate accounting policies; making judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls, that were operating effectively for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, relevant to the preparation and presentation of the financial statements that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the management and Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Company’s Board of Directors is also responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process.
AUDITORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements, as a whole, are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with SAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control(s).
• Obtain an understanding of internal financial control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. Under section 143(3)(i) of the Act, we are also responsible for expressing our opinion on whether the Company has adequate internal financial controls with reference to financial statements in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the management.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditors’ report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditors’ report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Materiality is the magnitude of misstatements in the financial statements that, individually or in aggregate, makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable user of the financial statements may be influenced. We consider quantitative materiality and qualitative factors in (i) planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work; and (ii) to evaluate the effect of any identified misstatements in the financial statements.
We communicate with ‘Those Charged With Governance’ regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide ‘Those Charged With Governance’ with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with ‘Those Charged With Governance’, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably
be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.
REPORT ON OTHER LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
1. As required by the ‘Companies (Auditors’ Report) Order, 2020’ (“the Order"), issued by the Central Government of India in terms of sub-section (11) of section 143 of the Act, we give in Annexure - ‘A’, a statement on the matters specified in paragraph 3 and 4 of the Order.
2. We also enclose our report in terms of section 143(5) of the Act, on the basis of such checks of the books and records of the Company as we considered appropriate and according to the information and explanations given to us by the management, in Annexure - ‘B’, on the directions and sub-directions issued by Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
3. As required by section 143(3) of the Act, we report that:
a. we have sought and obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit;
b. in our opinion, proper books of account, as required by law, have been kept by the Company so far as appears from our examination of those books;
c. the balance sheet, the statement of profit and loss (including other comprehensive income), the statement of changes in equity and the statement of cash flows dealt with by this report are in agreement with the books of account;
d. in our opinion, the aforesaid financial statements comply with the Indian Accounting Standards (“Ind AS") notified under section 133 of the Act read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended from time to time;
e. on the basis of the written representations received from the directors as at March 31, 2026 and taken on record by the Board of Directors, none of the directors are disqualified as at March 31,2026 from being appointed as a director, in terms of section 164(2) of the Act;
f. with respect to the adequacy of the internal financial controls with reference to financial statements of the Company and the operating effectiveness of such controls, refer to our separate report in Annexure - ‘C’;
g. with respect to the other matters to be included in the Auditors’ Report in accordance with the
requirements of section 197(16) of the Act, as amended, in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the remuneration paid/ provided by the Company to its directors during the year is in accordance with the provisions of section 197 of the Act;
h. with respect to the other matters to be included in the Auditors’ Report in accordance with Rule 11 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, as amended, in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us:
i. The Company has disclosed the impact of pending litigations on its financial position in note 44 to its financial statements;
ii. The Company has not entered into any long-term contracts including derivative contracts for which there were any material foreseeable losses;
iii. There were no amounts which were required to be transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund by the Company;
iv. (a) The Management has represented that,
to the best of its knowledge and belief as disclosed in note no. 8 to the financial statements, no funds (which are material either individually or in the aggregate) have been advanced or loaned or invested (either from borrowed funds or share premium or any other sources or kind of funds) by the Company to or in any other person or entity, including foreign entity (“Intermediaries"), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Intermediary shall, whether, directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Company (“Ultimate Beneficiaries") or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries;
(b) The Management has represented, that, to the best of its knowledge and belief as disclosed in note no. 8 to the financial statements, no funds (which are material either individually or in aggregate) have been received by the Company from any person or entity, including foreign entity (“Funding Parties"), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Company shall, whether, directly or indirectly, lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Funding Party (“Ultimate Beneficiaries") or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries; and
(c) Based on the audit procedures that have been considered reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, nothing has come to our notice that has caused us to believe that the representations under sub-clause (i) and (ii) of Rule 11(e) as provided under (a) and (b) above, contain any material misstatement.
v. During the year the Company has declared and paid interim dividend, which is in accordance with section 123 of the Act.
vi. Based on our examination, which included test checks, and in accordance with the requirements of Implementation Guide on Reporting on Audited Trail under Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules 2014, except for our comments below, the Company has used the accounting softwares for maintaining its books of account for the financial year ended March 31, 2026 which have a feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility and the same has operated throughout the year for all relevant transactions recorded in the respective softwares. Further, during the course of our audit we did not come across any instance of the audit trail feature being tampered with. The audit trail has been preserved by the Company as per statutory requirements for record retention.
I n respect of accounting software operated by a third-party service provider and used for payroll and allied functions of the Company, the feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility was enabled, as confirmed by the third-party service provider/ consultant of the service provider. However, we are unable to independently verify and confirm the same. Also, we are not in a position to confirm whether the audit trail feature in the accounting software operated by third party service provider has been tampered with and preserved as per statutory requirements for record retention.
For V. K. Dhingra & Co., For S. P. Chopra & Co.,
Chartered Accountants Chartered Accountants
Firm Regd. No. 000250N Firm Regd. No. 000346N
Vipul Girotra Ankur Goyal
Partner Partner
Membership No. 084312 Membership No. 099143
UDIN 26084312CWJRKO9999 UDIN 26099143GNIJXD4471
Place: New Delhi Place: New Delhi
Date: April 27, 2026 Date: April 27, 2026
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