Shabnam Sinha to Head Airtel Payments Bank
Shabnam Sinha will replace Sunil Bharti Mittal as Airtel Payments Bank chairperson from October 1, 2026, subject to RBI approval.
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
Shabnam Sinha will succeed Sunil Bharti Mittal as Airtel Payments Bank chairperson. Mittal will step down from the Board on September 30, 2026.
Sinha will take charge on October 1, 2026, for a three-year term, subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). She currently serves as an independent director on the bank’s Board.
Upon her appointment, Sinha said, “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.”
Sinha comes with more than three decades of experience across development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation. She previously worked with the World Bank and has experience in governance, risk management, financial inclusion and digital transformation.
Airtel Payments Bank has more than 121 million monthly active users and nearly 30 million bank account customers. It operates through over 500,000 banking points across the country.
“It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of Airtel Payments Bank and witness its journey from an accessibility-focused effort into a trusted institution serving millions across urban and rural India,” Mittal said.
Shabnam Sinha will succeed Sunil Bharti Mittal as Airtel Payments Bank chairperson. Mittal will step down from the Board on September 30, 2026.
Sinha will take charge on October 1, 2026, for a three-year term, subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). She currently serves as an independent director on the bank’s Board.
Upon her appointment, Sinha said, “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.”
Sinha comes with more than three decades of experience across development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation. She previously worked with the World Bank and has experience in governance, risk management, financial inclusion and digital transformation.
Airtel Payments Bank has more than 121 million monthly active users and nearly 30 million bank account customers. It operates through over 500,000 banking points across the country.
“It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of Airtel Payments Bank and witness its journey from an accessibility-focused effort into a trusted institution serving millions across urban and rural India,” Mittal said.
