Shabnam Sinha Appointed New Chairperson of Airtel Payments Bank

Airtel Payments Bank has announced a significant leadership transition, with Shabnam Sinha slated to become its new chairperson. She will succeed Sunil Bharti Mittal, whose decade-long tenure concludes on September 30, 2026.

This leadership change will become effective on October 1, 2026, pending approval from the Reserve Bank of India. Mittal, who began his role in April 2016, will depart from the bank’s board as non-executive chairman.

Mittal’s Transformative Decade

Under Sunil Bharti Mittal’s leadership, Airtel Payments Bank experienced substantial growth, solidifying its position as India’s largest payments bank by revenue. The institution established a vast presence across the nation.

The bank now serves over 121 million monthly active users and approximately 30 million bank account customers. Its extensive banking network includes more than 500,000 banking points, reaching three out of four villages across India.

Furthermore, Airtel Payments Bank has emerged as India’s second-largest mobile bank and a prominent player in the UPI Autopay segment.

Sinha’s Extensive Background

Shabnam Sinha, currently an independent director on the bank’s board, will serve a three-year term as chairperson. Her appointment is set to leverage her considerable experience.

Sinha brings over three decades of expertise across development finance, financial services, public policy, and institutional transformation. This includes a notable period spent at the World Bank, highlighting her deep sector knowledge.

She presently chairs the board’s Special Committee for Monitoring Frauds and is an active member of both its Risk Management and IT Committees.

Both Mittal and Sinha expressed strong optimism regarding the bank’s trajectory and future potential. They emphasized a shared commitment to continued growth, expanded financial inclusion, and increasing community impact.