To,
The Members,
ICRA Limited
Your Directors have the pleasure in presenting thRs. 34th Annual Report
of your Company along with the Audited Financial Statements for the Financial Year
(year?) ended March 31, 2025.
Financial Performance
Revenue from consolidated operations for the year was RS. 49,802 lakhs,
compared to RS. 44,611 lakhs in the previous year, an increase of 11.6%. The overall
Operational Expense for the year was H 34,146 lakhs, against H 32,122 lakhs in the
previous year. Profit after tax was RS. 17,120 lakhs, against RS. 15,224 lakhs in the
previous year.
|
Consolidated |
Standalone |
Particulars |
FY2025 |
FY2024 |
FY2025 |
FY2024 |
Revenue from operations |
49,802 |
44,611 |
28,672 |
25,124 |
Other income |
7,741 |
7,497 |
10,205 |
9,096 |
Total income |
57,543 |
52,108 |
38,877 |
34,220 |
Total expenses |
34,146 |
32,122 |
19,982 |
19,536 |
Profit before tax |
23,397 |
19,986 |
18,895 |
14,684 |
Total tax expense |
6,277 |
4,762 |
4,076 |
2,368 |
Profit after tax |
17,120 |
15,224 |
14,819 |
12,316 |
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax |
(64) |
(149) |
(15) |
(49) |
Total comprehensive income for the year |
17,056 |
15,075 |
14,804 |
12,267 |
Review of Operations
Ratings & ancillary services
Market and Business Overview
India continues to be a bright spot in the global uncertainty, even
though its pace of economic growth eased somewhat in FY2025. The primary engines of growth
of the previous year, namely, the Government?s infrastructure spend, and urban
consumption showed moderation even though they continued to drive growth. Election-related
activity, weather-induced disruptions and a chastened retail NBFC segment saw ebbed
consumer sentiments. Geopolitical tensions kept uncertainty high leading to recessionary
expectations in various key global markets.
Bank credit outstanding grew at a markedly slower pace of 10.9% in
FY2025 compared witRs. 16.3% in the previous year, largely reflecting the higher risk
perception towards the NBFCs and a dip in demand from the micro & small industries
segment. Deposit mobilisation challenges faced by banks also stymied credit growth.
Similarly, the bond issuances grew at a slower pace than that in the previous year
a rise of 7.2% in FY2025 compared to 17.2% in the previous year despite higher-rated
entities preferring bonds, reflecting a year of varying risk perception as well as uneven
liquidity. Commercial Papers [CPs] outstanding expanded by 14% in FY2025 compared witRs.
9.9% in FY2024 as the NBFCs and security broking companies issued more CPs to avail
cheaper funds as banks turned cautious towards this segment.
The credit rating industry grew on issuances from currently rated as
well as new to market entities. Your Company continued its focus, as in recent years, on
the growth segments of the economy, namely, infrastructure and financial sector, and has
grown well in both these segments, enhancing its market position. Your Company continues
to be a preferred rating agency, particularly in the market debt segment as it is well
respected for its rating accuracy and timely actions.
Your Company added several new clients, including some large entities,
and has also rated several novel transactions in FY2025, with a few noteworthy ones being:
y Revolving PTC transactions with additional structural features built in for the
revolver period y PTC transactions with trade receivables and lease rentals as the
asset class y The largest commercial office REIT y The largest hybrid
renewable project by a leading IPP in the country y A leading ?Battery as a
Service (BaaS)? player catering to the EV segment y Intraday bank lines for a
few AMCs Your Company, in FY2025, was able to grow in terms of revenue in all the key
segments, namely corporate, infrastructure and financial. Going ahead, while the focus
would continue to be on infrastructure and financial segments, there would be renewed
focus deepening the presence in specific corporate segments.
Macroeconomy
The pace of GDP expansion moderated in FY2025, with growth in H1
dampened by transient factors such as the Parliamentary elections and weather-related
issues (heatwave in Q1, excess rains in Q2 in parts of the country). Subsequently, GDP
growth improved in H2
FY2025 even as tariff-related developments brought in some uncertainty
into the outlook.
The outlook for domestic consumption and Government investment remains
largely intact. Rural demand is likely to be upbeat, aided by babi cash flows and
above-normal reservoir levels, even as early signals suggest an above-normal monsoon.
Nevertheless, well-distributed and timely monsoon rains remain the key to support farm
sentiments and incomes beyond H1 CY2025. The combination of the sizeable income-tax relief
in the Union Budget for FY2026, rate cuts leading to lower equated monthly instalments
(EMIs), and a moderation in food inflation is expected to boost household disposable
incomes and urban consumption in FY2026.
The GoI?s capex is budgeted to rise by 10.1% in FY2026, which
augurs well for investment activity, especially if spending is front-loaded. Besides, the
outlook for residential investment appears healthier, auguring well for construction
activity.
Given the heightened uncertainty around trade policies and the
associated disruption in trade and sentiment, the outlook for merchandise exports and
private capex, especially in export-oriented sectors, appears muted. In
ICRA?s view, the relative tariff scenario in relation to the
US is going to continue to evolve as the year progresses. At this
juncture, ICRA estimates the GDP growth to print at 6.2% in FY2026.
India?s average CPI inflation is expected to ease below
4.0% in FY2026, the mid-point of the Monetary Policy Committee?s
(MPC?s) medium-term target band of 2-6%. After thRs. 50 bps rate cuts seen in 2025 so
far, and the change in stance to accommodative, ICRA expects an additional 50 bps of repo
reduction over the June and August 2025 policy reviews. With systemic liquidity turning
into a surplus, borrowing costs would in turn ease over the course of the year.
Corporate and Infrastructure Sector
The Indian corporate sector presented a mixed picture supported by
consumption activity, while investment activity was subdued. While revenue growth of India
Inc was supported by improved rural demand and an increase in realisations in a few
sectors during the year, the improvement in earnings for the sector was curtailed by an
increase in the cost of some inputs, as well as a weakening of the H vs. the USD.
ICRA expects urban and rural demand to improve in FY2026; commodity
prices are likely to display a mixed trend, given the global uncertainties whereas the INR
has appreciated considerably relative to the USD, since the start of this fiscal.
Private capital expenditure (capex) was muted in FY2025. Weak domestic
consumption, especially urban, muted export demand, and influx of cheap Chinese imports in
some sectors, among other factors, restricted the capacity expansion plans of Indian
corporates. Deleveraged corporate balance sheets, together with improving cash flows from
operations, point towards favourable conditions for an upturn in the private capex cycle.
The policy rate cut by the RBI during H1 CY2026 and a high probability of a further rate
cut over June to August 2025 would be an additional enabler. However, the recent trade
tariffs levied by the US across countries and the associated uncertainties with respect to
global trade flows, as well as evolving geopolitical concerns, could delay the anticipated
pick-up.
Overall, ICRA expects the private capex cycle to remain muted in view
of the uncertainties around geopolitical developments and relatively subdued outlook on
merchandise exports from India. Nonetheless, certain sunrise sectors such as electronics,
semi-conductors and niche segments within the automotive space like electric vehicles will
continue to see a scale-up in investments, in line with the various production-linked
incentives (PLI) announced by the Government of India. On the infrastructure sector front,
the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) was launched in 2019 with ~6,835 projects with
an investment of ~RS. 111 trillion. Since its launch, several projects have been added,
resulting in significant increase in overall planned investments to RS. 163 trillion.
About 85% of the NIP investments are concentrated in four major sectors transport,
energy, real estate and water management. Six sub-sectors under these four main sectors -
roads, railways, metro, renewable energy (RE) and non-renewable energy and transmission
lines, account for ~60% of the NIP investments. To meet the NIP targets, a significant
ramp-up in budgetary allocations would be required in the next couple of years. This is
also reflected in the increase in capex allocations by the Government of India to RS. 11.2
trillion in FY2026 BE, a growth of 10.1% from the RS. 10.2 trillion estimated in FY2025
RE, which augurs well for the sector.
While a large share of the funding will be coming from the Central and
the state allocations and public-sector infrastructure NBFCs, the corporate bond market is
also expected to play a modest role. Moreover, asset monetisation through InvITs is
expected to gain traction and is estimated at RS. 1.2-1.5 trillion in the next three
years, which will benefit both the bond market issuances as well as bank loans through
refinancing.
Financial Sector
In line with the regulatory push to slow down the credit growth in
certain segments such as lending to non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and unsecured
lending, to prevent overheating and potential asset quality pressures, the banking sector
credit growth declined sharply to 10.9% in FY2025 from 16.3% in FY2024. With the
significant moderation in bank credit flow to the aforesaid segments in FY2025, the
regulator has reversed the higher risk weights on such lending to the NBFCs from April 1,
2025.
Driven by a high credit-to-deposit ratio (CD ratio) and the RBI?s
intervention in the forex market, the liquidity of the banking system turned into deficit
in the latter half of the financial year. To address the same, the regulator took several
measures to infuse temporary as well as durable liquidity, which, coupled with the cut in
policy rates, resulted in the reduction in bond yields by the end of the year. While the
cut in repo rate and consequent decline in lending rates could spur demand for credit, we
however, expect the bank credit growth to remain flattish in FY2026 at 10.4-11.2% as the
CD ratio remains elevated. The CD ratio of banks further increased to 80.7% by March2025
from 80.2% as of March2024, which means that the headroom for credit growth will be driven
by banks? ability to mobilise the incremental deposits at competitive rates. While
the wholesale deposit rates have already declined, the deposit rate cuts in the retail
segment have also commenced; the speed and extent of the same will influence banks?
ability to reduce their lending rates.
The growth in assets under management (AUM) for the overall NBFC sector
is also estimated to have moderated to around 13-15% in FY2025 from 18% in FY2024, largely
driven by the slowdown in the retail NBFC credit expansion. ICRA expects the retail credit
growth of
NBFCs (including housing finance companies) to ease to
16-18% in FY2025 from 25% and 21%, respectively, in FY2024 and FY2023.
Asset quality concerns emerging from overleveraging in some borrower segments and the
regulatory tightening, by way of increased risk weights for bank credit to NBFCs, higher
risk weights on the consumption loans and a nudge from the regulator for a moderation in
the credit expansion also contributed to the growth slowdown. This resulted in a
significant reduction in the unsecured loan segment growth, including a decline in the
microfinance book, and moderation in the growth rates in the other asset segments, on the
back of a higher base of the previous year.
The subsequent removal of higher risk weight for bank credit to the
NBFCs and the proposed expansion in the scope of co-lending framework shall work
favourably for the sector in FY2026. Retail NBFC credit expansion in FY2026 is estimated
at about 15-17%, while the infrastructure lending by the NBFCs, including other wholesale
credit, is projected to grow by 10-12%, which is similar to the levels seen in the
previous two fiscals. Driven by slowdown in credit flow from banks to the
NBFCs, the bond issuances from the NBFCs reached an all-time high of
RS. 5.1 trillion and stood at 47% of overall bond issuances. Given the tight funding
position of banks and relatively better competitive position of debt capital market vis a
vis bank loans, we expect the bond issuances from the NBFCs to remain strong. With
expectations of a further decline in bond yields, the domestic debt capital is likely to
remain competitive for larger and better rated issuers, though tighter funding conditions
domestically may prompt some large issuers to tap external commercial borrowings (ECB).
Like the NBFCs, the bond issuances from banks also reached an all-time high of RS. 2.8
trillion in FY2025 as banks supplemented their resources through bonds amid elevated CD
ratio and challenges in deposit mobilisation. Overall, including the bond issuances from
the corporate sector, the aggregate bond issues surpassed previous highs and stood at RS.
10.9 trillion in FY2025, a growth of 7.2% over FY2024. We expect this trend to continue in
FY2026, driven by faster transmission of rate cuts in debt capital markets vis a vis bank
loans.
The mutual funds industry continues to witness moderation in fresh
inflows across debt schemes, post the taxation changes in the Union Budget for FY2024.
However, alternate investment funds (AIFs) witnessed strong inflows, which continued to
drive the demand of debt capital instruments from high yield instruments and widened the
issuer base in this segment. The online bond platforms continue to aid the increase in
retail participation in debt capital market instruments, which otherwise was limited to
public issuances of these instruments.
Structured Finance
The domestic securitisation market witnessed a healthy expansion of
about 25%, with fresh volumes increasing to about RS. 2.4 trillion in FY2025 from RS. 1.9
trillion in FY2024. The growth was driven by the entry of new originators, including some
large private sector banks that sold down their portfolio to improve their
credit-to-deposit ratio, given the challenges faced in deposit growth rates. In addition,
the securitisation market continues to benefit from the healthy credit demand for the
NBFCs and the HFCs, the growing reliance on securitisation as a tool for fund-raising, and
the increase in investor base. The growth in the unsecured asset classes, such as personal
loans and microfinance loans, was, however, impacted the asset quality concerns that
emerged during the year, which led to a slowdown in the disbursement levels. Among the
asset classes that are securitised, vehicle loans continue to be the dominant asset class,
given that large banks and NBFCs in this space have been securitising their car loans and
commercial vehicle loans portfolio. Securitisation of mortgage-backed loans also witnessed
healthy increase in FY2025, whereas securitisation of unsecured loans was impacted by the
asset quality pressures that emerged in these asset classes. There has also been a rise in
securitisation volumes originated by non-financial sector entities, where trade
receivables and lease rentals are being securitised, which would help in widening and
diversifying the securitisation market in the future.
The growth in the securitisation market in FY2026 would remain
contingent on the large private sector banks continuing to explore securitisation to raise
funds and improve their credit-to-deposit ratio. The extent of credit demand among retail
borrowers along with the risk appetite of the NBFCs and the HFCs, especially in the
unsecured segment, would determine the growth in their businesses, which in turn would
influence the securitisation market. The securitisation volumes will continue to be
supported by the requirement of banks to meet their PSL requirements. The increase in the
purchase of non-PSL pooled loans is also a healthy trend that will result in healthy
growth in issuances. Nonetheless, the increasing adoption of the co-lending model by the
NBFCs and the HFCs would continue to challenge the growth in the securitisation market.
Further, any significant traction in the priority sector loan
certificates (PSLCs) market could restrict issuance volumes in the medium to long term.
Trends in Credit Quality of ICRA-rated Companies
FY2025 marked the fourth consecutive year of improving credit profiles,
with ICRA?s rating upgrades consistently outnumbering downgrades during this period
by at least two to one. Although the Credit Ratio of ICRA-assigned ratings, defined as the
ratio of the number of entities upgraded to that downgraded, moderated to 2.0x in FY2025
from the peak of 3.0x in FY2022, it remained healthy.
Rating actions in FY2025 were driven by: y A broader trend in
deleveraging in the corporate sector, enabled by healthy profit growth amid slower capital
expenditure growth y Rating upgrades in the financial sector, concentrated in H1
FY2025, attributed to increased scale and higher profitability alongside controlled credit
costs y Improved risk profiles of assets/entities transitioning from project-stage
to operational-stage y Continued demand buoyancy in select sectors, such as
hospitality.
India Inc. has experienced an extended period of credit profile
improvement, largely due to strengthening balance sheets. From a credit perspective, this
has enhanced Corporate India?s ability to bear the cyclical challenges of recent
periods posed by commodity price inflation, rising interest rates, and subdued demand.
Other indicators of the strength of credit profiles for
India Inc. include default rates and instances of sharp rating changes.
The overall default rate of ICRA-assigned ratings has been trending down over the years
(0.2% in
FY2025 against the five-year average of 0.8%), with a notable reduction
in the investment grade default rate. In FY2025, ICRA?s portfolio recorded seven
defaults in total, two of which were from the investment grade. Large
Rating Change Rate or LRCR, defined as the proportion of ratings
downgraded or upgraded by three or more notches cumulatively, has also been trending
downward over the years, highlighting a reduction in the severity of rating changes (LRCR
was 0.7% in FY2025 vis-a-vis the five-year average of 1.5%).
Rating Accuracy Trends
The performance of any credit rating system is measured by metrics like
default rates, stability rates and the average default position. ICRA?s robust
methodologies and their consistent application over the years is reflected in the low
default rates in the investment grade suggesting that ICRA?s ratings have done well
to distinguish between safer and riskier credits. The default rates along the rating
scale, from AAA to C, have shown ordinality, which reflects the ability at differentiating
among credits across the risk spectrum. This apart, ICRA?s ratings demonstrated a
healthy one-year rating stability depicted across all investment grade rating categories.
A high rating stability suggests that ICRA?s rating decisions do not get influenced
by the stage of the business cycle but remain strongly focused on assessing the credit
worthiness of entities through the cycle. Finally, the average default position (ADP) of
ICRA-assigned ratingsa measure of the tendency of a rating agency to commit type-1
and type-2 errorsremains healthy and has systematically improved over the years.
Latest short-run average default rates for long-term instruments
(reflects an average of two years; computation approach as defined by SEBI)
Rating Category |
1-Year Cumulative Default Rate % |
2-year Cumulative Default Rate % |
3-year Cumulative Default Rate % |
AAA |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
AA |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
A |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
BBB |
0.3 |
0.6 |
1.1 |
BB |
0.8 |
2.6 |
5.4 |
B |
2.7 |
5.0 |
7.5 |
C |
8.8 |
15.3 |
20.5 |
Latest short-run average default rates for short-term instruments
(reflects an average of two years; computation approach as defined by SEBI)
Rating Category |
1-Year Default Rate % |
A1+ |
0.0 |
A1 |
0.0 |
A2 |
0.0 |
A3 |
0.3 |
A4 |
2.2 |
Latest five-year average of one-year rating transition rates for
long-term ratings (computation approach as defined by SEBI)
Rating Category |
AAA |
AA |
A |
BBB |
BB |
B |
C |
D |
AAA |
99.6% |
0.4% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
AA |
3.7% |
94.3% |
2.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
A |
0.5% |
5.6% |
90.8% |
3.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.1% |
BBB |
0.0% |
0.4% |
8.8% |
87.0% |
3.5% |
0.1% |
0.0% |
0.3% |
BB |
0.0% |
0.2% |
0.2% |
6.6% |
87.1% |
2.8% |
0.0% |
3.2% |
B |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
7.9% |
82.8% |
0.0% |
9.3% |
C |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
22.7% |
40.9% |
36.4% |
Industry Research
In FY2025, ICRA Research maintained comprehensive coverage on more than
60 sectors across corporate, financial, infrastructure and structured finance domains
During this period, ICRA published several high-impact reports which
were appreciated by clients for their timeliness and business relevance. Some of these
thematics were on topics like critical minerals, gold loan market, private capital
expenditure, municipal bonds, transmission infrastructure, SME finance, impact of US
tariffs, other global and geopolitical developments, interest rate outlook, and climate
issues.
In FY2025, ICRA's research revenue witnessed steady growth, driven by
the acquisition of new clients and a strong renewal rate, which was supported by the
analytical depth and rigor of its sectoral and credit perspective reports.
ICRA ESG Ratings
Commencing business in April 2024, ICRA ESG Ratings Limited (ICRA ESG)
emerged as a prominent Category-I ESG Rating Provider (ERP) under the Issuer Pays Model.
It assigned ESG ratings to five entities across diverse sectors,
including cement, financial services, jewellery manufacturing, and retail. ICRA ESG's
comprehensive rating rationales provided valuable insights into the rated entities' ESG
impact and transition progress, helping stakeholders analyse risks and assess the ESG
profile.
Additionally, ICRA ESG demonstrated thought leadership in the ESG
domain through its research, covering areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, sectoral
analysis, health and safety trends in high-risk domestic sectors, and emerging governance
practices. The company also continued its market outreach efforts to educate stakeholders
about ESG and its significance.
Research & Analytics
Research & Analytics has two key verticals Knowledge
Services and Risk & Analytics (R&A). Knowledge Services caters to global clients
for their research and analytical services, Whereas the R&A vertical includes revenue
from bond valuation, mutual fund analytics, customized research, and risk management
products and solutions. The Analytics business performance was supported by strong growth
in the Risk & Analytics business (R&A includes Market data and Risk Management
Services) which grew by 17% over the previous year. The largest business - Knowledge
Services (KS) did saw a robust growth in the core rating support space which was
offset by the discontinuation of ESG services resulting in an overall muted growth for the
vertical. The Risk Management Services grew at a faster pace aided by the addition of new
clients and strong growth in D2K.
D2K?s flagship Early Warning System (EWS) and Asset Classification
Products continued to see strong demand in the financial sector, further solidifying D2K's
position as a key player in the industry. The Market Data business growth was driven by
Fixed Income and Mutual Fund Analytics and Customised Research. The AUM of mutual funds
continued its growth momentum going up by 23% in FY2025 (vs growth of 35% in FY2024) to
RS. 65.74 trillion. This was driven by a 25% growth in equity funds, while growth in Debt
MF was at 20% in FY2025 (vs 6% in FY2024). Yields on 10-year G-Sec fell 47 bps YoY and
traded in the range of 6.58%-7.23% during the year. The inflows into AIFs were RS. 2.20
trillion, being up 20% YoY to RS. 13.05 trillion as of Dec-24, while listed corporate bond
issuances were also up 16.11% during FY2025, thereby positively impacting the business.
The trend of Gen-AI adoption and automation intensified during the year
and Knowledge Services is gearing up to handle this change, we continue to partner the
client in business transformation initiatives, including migration of the legacy systems
and processes into new-age platforms, adopting new technologies in existing processes to
drive efficiency and ensuring seamless change management workflow systems.
As a part of its effort to enter new segments in the domestic market,
Knowledge Services developed Infre360? a data and analytics tool for the
InviT and REIT space. Initial feedback from both issuers and investors has been
encouraging. Efforts to further grow its business in new areas and new client segments,
both in the global and the domestic market, will remain a key focus area for this
vertical.
Market Data also won the prestigious mandate for implementation of
SEBI?s guideline on Prevention of Market Abuse? across all the AMCs in
India. The on -premise solution was deployed and successfully implemented within a record
time during the second half of the year. This comes after other such successful
implementations like Stress Testing, Potential Risk Class (PRC) and Risk-o-Meter done in
the past and is a further validation of our strong presence in the mutual funds space.
The year also marked a significant milestone with entry into the
domestic Fixed Income Index space through an agreement with FTSE-Russell for the
co-development of Fixed Income Indices for the domestic market. The domestic Fixed Income
Index business is expected to show significant growth in future and this arrangement would
help your company emerge as a strong player in this market. Market Data added several new
clients during FY2025 - both in the domestic space and also through expansion of
relationship with its global clients, even as it continued to focus on improved
productivity through automation of it processes.
With India's inclusion in JPMorgan's Government Bond Index-Emerging
Markets Global CORE (GBIEM Global CORE) and the Bloomberg Emerging Market Local Currency
Index starting from JunRs. 2024 and January
2025 respectively, capital flows into Indian Debt Market have gone up.
This is opening up new opportunities for the Market Data business, coupled with the growth
in inflows into the AIF segment. These trends are expected to positively impact the
business in future.
The RBI continued to strengthen regulatory supervision for banks and
NBFCs during the year. Guidelines on Model Governance opened up new opportunities for the
business, while the trend towards automation of credit lifecycle in banks continued to
intensify. This, along with improving financial position of the banking system supported
growth.
Bank credit growth, however, moderated to 12% (as of Feb 2025, vs 16.6%
in FY2024) with similar trend in NBFC sector where the growth rate in AUM of NBFCs is
expected to be lower at 13-15% in FY2025 (vs 17% in FY2024). However, the NBFCs continued
to focus on automation and model governance initiatives, which helped growth. There is a
growing need for advanced ECL computation tools from the NBFCs and ICRA Analytics
continued to support the demand in this space.
During the year, ICRA Analytics entered into an agreement with Bitsight
Technologies Inc, a global leader in the Cybersecurity space, to bring their proven Cyber
Risk Management solutions to enterprises in India. It also partnered with its subsidiary
company D2K Technologies India Private Limited (D2K) - an established provider of software
solutions to banks and other financial institutions in India. D2K?s flagship EWS and
Asset Classification Products demand in the market. Backed by deep domain expertise,
D2K helps financial institutions meet regulatory compliances, enhance
their business processes, improve customer acquisition and retention, and build robust
analytical platforms.
ICRA Analytics? order book strengthened considerably during the
year, supported by significant wins from new and existing clients. The stabilisation of
its upgraded products like IRS 3.0, development of new products like Infre360, addition of
new business lines in ESG, the traction being built up in Customised Research and also its
entry into the Fixed Income Index market will further support growth in the coming years.
ICRA Analytics continued to demonstrate a strong process and compliance
orientation and its
ISO27001:2013 and ISO9001:2015 certifications were renewed during the
year.
Automation Initiatives at ICRA
ICRA has leveraged its technology infrastructure to re-engineer
existing business processes through digital transformation. This strategic initiative has
enabled ICRA to provide cutting-edge analysis and insights to its customers, enhancing the
overall quality and reliability of its services. One of the key advancements at ICRA has
been the adoption of next-generation technologies, such as Generative AI. This has brought
in efficiency, accuracy, and compliance into its core processes. By integrating
Generative AI, ICRA has been able to offer deeper business and economic
insights across various industry sectors, providing its customers with a comprehensive
understanding of market dynamics and trends.
Franchise Development
Your Company continued to undertake robust outreach and franchise
building initiatives during the year, including organising 28 webinars on relevant themes
for several sectors like NBFC, Macroeconomy and State Government Finances, Data Centres,
Renewable Energy etc., which witnessed widespread participation by Industry and Financial
Institutions/Intermediaries. Apart from these, there were several physical events
organised, which included the flagship - Moody's & ICRA
India Credit Conference in Mumbai and the Sustainability Event in
Delhi. ICRA also organised several closed-door discussions with select audiences on
Securitisation, Commercial Real Estate, NBFCs, Auto Components and Specialty Chemicals
across locations like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. These events attracted participation
from multiple stakeholders, including senior decision-makers from mutual fund entities,
banks, NBFCs and corporates. These initiatives fostered strong engagement with both
investors and clients and further growing strengthened ICRA's reputation as a thought
leader in the industry.
Your Company maintained its position as a sought-after knowledge
partner for various industry forums and its analysts contributed as speakers/panellists in
marquee industry events as sector experts, cementing its position in thought leadership.
Further, a strong media presence was maintained through regular participation in prominent
business TV shows, write-ups in premier dailies and online media and further strengthened
the media outreach by conducting regular media specific events on key sectors and the
overall economy.
Your Company also institutionalised its investor connect with regular
interactions with marquee investors and intermediaries, including prominent private equity
institutions, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and asset management companies to
further strengthen the franchise building efforts.
Change in Nature of Business
During FY2025, there was no change in the nature of your Company?s
business. The credit rating agencies (CRAs) are not allowed to carry out any non-rating
activity, except only those that are specifically permitted by SEBI or any of the
specified financial sector regulators.
Subsidiary Companies (including step-down subsidiaries)
At the beginning of the year 2024-25, your Company had five
subsidiaries, including one step-down subsidiary. There are no associates and/or joint
ventures, as defined under the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act?).
During the year 2024-25, ICRA ESG Ratings Limited (Formerly known as
Pragati Development Consulting Services Limited) got approval for the change in name with
effect from JunRs. 13, 2024.
There has been no material change in the nature of the business of the
Company & its subsidiaries during the year 2024-25. As of March 31, 2025, your Company
had the following subsidiaries, including the step-down subsidiary:
S. No. Name of Subsidiary Companies |
Category |
Country of Incorporation |
1. ICRA Analytics Limited |
Subsidiary |
India |
2. ICRA ESG Ratings Limited (Formerly known as Pragati
Development Consulting Services Limited) |
Subsidiary |
India |
3. D2K Technologies India Private Limited |
Step-down subsidiary |
India |
4. ICRA Lanka Limited* |
Subsidiary |
Sri Lanka |
5. ICRA Nepal Limited |
Subsidiary |
Nepal |
Highlights of performance of subsidiary companies and their
contribution to the overall performance of the Company during the year 2024-25 are
provided in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report, which forms a part of the
Annual Report.
The consolidated financial statements of Group ICRA, consisting of ICRA
Limited, its subsidiaries, including step-down subsidiary, for the year 2024-25, which
form a part of the Annual Report, are attached. The Auditors?
Report on the consolidated financial statements is also attached. In
compliance with the relevant provisions of the Act, a statement containing the salient
features of the financial statements in Form AOC-1 as per Rules. 5 of the Companies
(Accounts) Rules, 2014, of the said subsidiaries, is annexed to the consolidated financial
statements, prepared in accordance with the prescribed accounting standards.
As required under the provisions of Section 136 (1) of the Act, the
financial statements, including consolidated financial statements and other documents
required to be attached thereto, have been uploaded on the Company?s website,
www.icra.in. Further, your Company has also uploaded on its website the audited financial
statements of each subsidiary company.
Branches of the Company
Your Company operates its business from its offices in
New Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad,
Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Board Meetings Held During the Year
During the year, six (6) meetings of the Board of Directors of your
Company were held, on May 15, 2024, May 23, 2024, July 23, 2024, October 25, 2024,
February 10, 2025 and March19, 2025. The details regarding the attendance of Directors at
the Board meetings are furnished in the Corporate Governance Report attached as Annexure-II
to this Report.
Human Resources
Our human resources (HR) function has a strategic approach to nurturing
and supporting employees and ensuring a positive workplace environment. During the year,
the HR team continued to uphold the Company?s talent management strategy aligned to
its business strategy focused on building future leaders.
A fundamental belief of our management philosophy is to invest in our
employees and enable them to develop mutually beneficial skills and capabilities. With
this objective, an Organisation Training Matrix was implemented across levels and
functions.
The HR team also focused on enhancing employee engagement and
satisfaction through various initiatives. These included regular feedback sessions,
recognition programs, and wellness activities aimed at promoting a healthy work-life
balance.
Overall, our HR initiatives have contributed significantly to the
company?s performance and growth, ensuring that we have a motivated and skilled
workforce ready to meet future challenges.
Employees Stock Option Scheme (ESOS)
The members of your Company in the Annual General Meeting
("AGM") held on August 9, 2018, by passing a special resolution, adopted a new
scheme called the Employees Stock Option SchemRs. 2018 (ESOS 2018?),
under which an aggregate of 39,993 stock options were proposed to be granted. Permanent
employees (excluding promoters and Independent Directors) of your Company and its
subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the ESOS 2018.
The company has received a certificate from the
Secretarial Auditors of your Company certifying that the schemes are
implemented in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Share-Based
Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations,
2021, and the resolutions passed by the members of the Company. The
certificate will be made available in electronic mode to the members of the Company for
inspection at the AGM.
The disclosures in terms of Regulation 14 of the SEBI
(Share-Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity)
Regulations, 2021 read with SEBI Circular no. CIR/CFD/ POLICY
CELL/2/2015, dated JunRs. 16, 2015, are available on the Company?s website; the
web-link for the same is: https://www.icra.in/InvestorRelation/
ShowCorporateGovernanceFile?Id=27
Particulars of Employees
The disclosure under the provisions of Section 197(12) of the Act,
regarding the ratio of the remuneration of each Director to the median employee?s
remuneration and such other details as specified in Rules. 5(1) of the Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is annexed to the
Directors? Report (Annexure I). A statement showing the names of the top 10
employees in terms of remuneration drawn and other particulars of the employees drawing
remuneration in excess of the limits set out in Rules. 5(2) of the Companies (Appointment
and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, as well as the names and other
particulars of every employee covered under the rule, are available at the registered
office of the
Company, and any member interested in obtaining such information may
write to the Company Secretary and the same will be furnished without any fee.
With regard to the provisions of Section 136(1) of the Act, the
Directors? Report, excluding the information provided in compliance with Rules. 5(2)
and 5(3) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules,
2014, is being sent to the members of the Company. The said information would be available
for inspection, by members, at the registered office of the
Company or through electronic mode, during business hours on working
days up to the date of thRs. 34th AGM of the Company. Any member interested in obtaining a
copy thereof may write in this regard to the Company Secretary of the Company.
Annual Return
In terms of Section 92(3) of the Act read with the Companies
(Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, the Annual Return is available on the
Company?s website at https://www.icra.in/InvestorRelationShowAnnualReturn File?Id=762
Corporate Governance
The report of the Board of Directors of your Company on Corporate
Governance is presented as a separate section (Annexure II) titled Corporate
Governance Report, which forms a part of the Annual Report.
The composition of the Board, the Audit Committee, the Nomination and
Remuneration Committee, the Stakeholders Relationship Committee, the Corporate Social
Responsibility Committee, the Risk Management Committee and other committees of the Board,
the number of meetings of the Board and committees of the Board, and other matters are
presented in the Corporate Governance Report.
The certificate of the Statutory Auditors of your Company regarding
compliance with the Corporate Governance requirements as stipulated in the SEBI (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Listing
Regulations?) is annexed to the Directors? Report.
Your Company has obtained a certificate from a practising company
secretary that none of the Directors on the Board of your Company have been debarred or
disqualified from being appointed or are continuing as directors of companies by the
SEBI/Ministry of Corporate
Affairs or any such statutory authority.
Management Discussion & Analysis
The Management Discussion and Analysis is annexed to the Annual Report (Annexure
III).
Insider Trading Regulations
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted the Code of Conduct
for prevention of insider trading. The Board of Directors of the Company has also adopted
the Code of Practices and Procedures for Fair Disclosure of Unpublished Price Sensitive
Information, the policy for determination of legitimate purposes, and policy for enquiry
in case of the leak of unpublished price sensitive information in compliance with the
SEBI?s Regulations for Prohibition of Insider Trading, and the same have been
uploaded on the Company?s website.
Material Changes and Commitments
No material changes and commitments that would affect the financial
position of the Company have occurred between the end of the financial year to which the
attached financial statements relate and the date of this report.
Share Capital
As on March 31, 2025, the Company?s issued, subscribed and paid-up
equity share capital stood at RS. 965.12 lakhs divided into 96,51,231 equity shares of RS.
10/- each.
Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, and Foreign Exchange
Earnings and Expenditure
As your Company is not involved in any manufacturing activity, the
particulars relating to conservation of energy and technology absorption, as mentioned in
the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, are not applicable to it. However, emphasis is
placed on the employing techniques that result in the conservation of energy. Details on
the foreign exchange earnings and expenditure of your Company appear in the notes to the
financial statements.
Directors and Key Managerial Personnel
During the financial year 2024-25, there was a change in the
composition of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arun Duggal, Ms. Radhika Vijay Haribhakti and
Ms. Ranjana Agarwal ceased to be Independent Directors of the Company, consequent to
completion of second consecutive term of appointment.
The Board places on record its appreciation for the valuable
contributions made by Mr. Duggal, Ms. Agarwal, and Ms. Haribhakti to the Board of your
Company. Mr. Palamadai Sundarajan Jayakumar and Mr. Pradip Kanakia have been appointed as
Independent Directors, for a term of five (5) consecutive years with effect from
November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2029 (both days inclusive).
Additionally, Ms. Anuranjita Kumar has been appointed as an Independent Director, for a
term of five (5) consecutive years with effect from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2029
(both days inclusive).
Further, Mr. Michael Foley has resigned as Non-Executive and
Non-Independent Director of your Company (inclusive of all membership in any and all
Committees of the Board), effective August 1, 2024.
Mr. Brian Joseph Cahill has been appointed as Non-Executive and
Non-Independent Director on the Board of your Company, with effect from August 1, 2024.
Mr. Ramnath Krishnan, Managing Director & CEO of the Company and
CEO of ICRA Group, has been reappointed and designated as "Managing Director &
Group CEO", for a period of three (3) years, effective from October
23, 2024.
Further, pursuant to the provisions of Section 152 of the Act, and the
Articles of Association of your Company, Mr. Stephen Arthur Long is due to retire by
rotation, and being eligible, has offered himself for reappointment, subject to approval
by the Members of the Company at the forthcoming AGM.
The profile of Mr. Long is presented in the Notice of the
34th AGM, as required under the Act, secretarial standards issued by
the Institute of Company Secretaries of India on general meetings and the Listing
Regulations.
Except for Mr. Pradip Kanakia, who is serving as a Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director on the Board of ICRA Analytics, an unlisted material
subsidiary of the Company, and who receives remuneration by way of commission, no other
Directors are in receipt of any remuneration or commission from any of the subsidiaries of
the Company.
During the financial year 2024-25, there was no change in the key
managerial personnel of the Company.
Independent Directors? Declaration
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 149(7) of the Act read with
Schedule IV of the Act, the Independent Directors have submitted declarations that each of
them meets the criteria of independence as provided in Section 149(6) of Act along with
rules made thereunder and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the Listing Regulations. There has been
no change in the circumstances affecting their status as Independent Directors of the
Company. In terms of Regulation 25(8) of the Listing Regulations, the
Independent Directors have confirmed that they are not aware of any
circumstance or situation which exists or may be reasonably anticipated that could impair
or impact their ability to discharge their duties with an objective independent judgment
and without any external influence and that they are independent of the management. The
following Non-Executive Directors of the Company are independent in terms of Section
149(6) of the Act and the Listing Regulations:
1. Mr. Palamadai Sundararajan Jayakumar
2. Mr. Pradip Kanakia
3. Ms. Anuranjita Kumar
Further, in terms of Section 150 of the Act read with Rule
6 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of
Directors) Rules, 2014, Independent Directors of the
Company have confirmed that they have registered themselves with the
databank maintained by the Indian
Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and have passed the proficiency
test or avail the exemption from that, as applicable.
Directors? Responsibility Statement
As required under the provisions contained in Section
134 of the Act, your Directors hereby confirm that:
(i) in the preparation of the Annual Accounts for the year ended March
31, 2025, the applicable accounting standards have been followed and there are no material
departures from the same; (ii) the Directors had selected such accounting policies and
applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of the
financial year and of the profit and loss of the Company for that year; (iii) the
Directors had taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting
records, in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, to safeguard the
assets of the Company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities; (iv) the
Directors had prepared the Annual Accounts on a going concern basis;
(v) the Directors had laid down the internal financial controls
followed by the Company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were
operating effectively; and
(vi) the Directors had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with
the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating
effectively.
Remuneration Policy
The Board of Directors of your Company, based on the recommendation of
the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, has devised a Remuneration Policy, the details
of which are mentioned in the Corporate Governance Report annexed to this Report.
Policy on Directors? Appointment
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee works with the Board to
determine the appropriate characteristics, skill and experience that are required of the
members of the Board. The members of the Board should possess the expertise, skills and
experience needed to manage and guide the Company in the right direction and to create
value for all stakeholders. The Board needs to consist of eminent persons of proven
competency and integrity with an established track record. Besides having financial
literacy, experience, leadership qualities and the ability to think strategically, the
members are required to have a significant degree of commitment to the Company and should
devote adequate time in preparing for the Board meeting and attending the same. The
members of the Board of Directors are required to possess the education, expertise, skills
and experience in various sectors and industries needed to manage and guide the Company.
The members are also required to look at strategic planning and policy formulations.
The members of the Board should not be related to any executive or
independent director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. They are not expected to
hold any executive or independent positions in any entity that is in direct competition
with the Company. Board members are expected to attend and participate in the meetings of
the Board and its committees, as relevant. They are also expected to ensure that their
other commitments do not interfere with the responsibilities they have by virtue of being
a member of the Board of the Company. While reappointing Directors on the Board and
committees of the Board, the contribution and attendance record of the concerned Director
shall be considered in respect of such reappointment. Each Independent Director shall hold
office as a member of the Board for a maximum term as per the provisions of the Act and
the rules made thereunder, in this regard from time to time, and in accordance with the
provisions of the Listing Regulations. The appointment of the Directors shall be
formalised through a letter of appointment.
The Executive Directors, with the prior approval of the Board, may
serve on the Board of any other entity if there is no conflict of interest with the
Company?s business.
Board and Directors? Performance Evaluation
The Board of Directors of the Company, based on the recommendations of
the Nomination and Remuneration committees, has formulated a Board and Directors?
Performance Evaluation Policy, thereby setting out the performance evaluation criteria for
the Board and its Committees and each Directors? performance, including the Chairman
of the Company.
Your Company?s Board had undertaken a formal performance
evaluation in a comprehensive and structured manner as a part of the strengthening
exercise. Based on the recommendations of the
Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board has adopted a process
of receiving anonymous feedback and discussing the same at the meeting to ensure the
Directors? collective participation and meaningful discussion over the performance of
the Board, its committees, individual Directors and Chairperson of the Board.
Your Company?s Board believes that trust in the evaluation process
and its confidentiality is critical for the success of the evaluation exercise, therefore,
the Board encourages fair and transparent evaluations and maintains anonymity of those
providing the feedback. During the evaluation process, various suggestions were made by
individual Board members to further enhance the effectiveness of your Company?s
Board. The results of the feedback were discussed with the Board and its respective
committee members.
The Board of Directors of the Company believes that the effectiveness
of its governance framework can continue to be improved through periodic evaluation of the
functioning of the Board as a whole, its committees and individual directors?
performance evaluation.
The Board of Directors acknowledges that Independent Directors on the
Board have integrity and possess expertise and experience, including proficiency.
Auditors
M/s. B S R & Co. LLP, Chartered Accountants (ICAI Firm Registration
No. 101248W/W-100022) ("BSR") were appointed as the Statutory Auditors of your
Company for a consecutive period of five (5) years at thRs. 28 th AGM to hold rd AGM.
Subsequently, in compliance with Section 139 of the Act read with the Companies (Audit and
Auditors) Rules, 2014 (as amended) and on the recommendation of the Audit Committee,
Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No. 117365W)
("Deloitte") has been appointed by the Board of Directors as the Statutory
Auditors of the Company, in place of retiring auditors BSR, for a period of five (5)
years, to hold from the conclusion of thRs. 33rd AGM till the conclusion of thRs. 38th
AGM.
The Report given by the Statutory Auditors on the Standalone Financial
Statements of the Company and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the
financial year ended March 31, 2025, forms a part of this Annual Report. There have been
no qualification, reservation, adverse remarks or disclaimers given by the Statutory
Auditors in their Report, which calls for any explanation.
The disclosures relating to fees paid/payable to the Statutory Auditors
have been made in the Corporate Governance Report annexed to this Report.
Comments on Auditors? Report
The notes to the financial statements referred to in the
Auditors? Report are self-explanatory and do not call for any
further comments.
The Statutory Auditors have not reported any incident of fraud to the
Audit Committee of the Company during the year under review.
Secretarial Audit
The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed M/s. Chandrasekaran
Associates, Company Secretaries, as the Secretarial Auditor of the Company for the
financial year 2024-25 in terms of Section 204 of the Act and Regulation 24A of the
Listing Regulations. The Secretarial
Audit Report for financial year 2024-25 has been annexed to this Report
(Annexure IV). The Secretarial Audit
Report does not contain any qualifications, reservation, disclaimer or
adverse remark.
M/s. Chandrasekaran Associates, Company Secretaries, is also a
Secretarial Auditor of a material subsidiary of the Company, ICRA Analytics. The
Secretarial Audit Report as received from them for financial year 2024-25, is also annexed
to this Report (Annexure IV-A).
Further, in terms of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements) (Third Amendment) Regulation, 2024, the Board of Directors has appointed
M/s. Chandrasekaran Associates, Company Secretaries, as the Secretarial Auditor of the
Company for a term of five (5) consecutive financial years commencing from
April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2030, as recommended by the Audit
Committee, subject to approval of the members of the Company at the ensuing AGM.
Transfer to Reserves
Your Company proposes not to transfer any amount to the General Reserve
on declaration of dividend.
Dividend
The Board of Directors recommends for approval of the members at the
forthcoming AGM, payment of dividend of RS. 60 per equity share of face value of RS. 10
each for the financial year ended March 31, 2025. If the members approve the dividend at
the ensuing AGM, the dividend shall be paid to: (i) all those members whose names appear
in the Register of Members as on July 25, 2025 (Record Date); and (ii) all those Members
whose names appear as beneficial owners as per the details furnished by the National
Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and the Central Depository Services (India) Limited
(CDSL) on the close of business hours as on that date.
Dividend Distribution Policy
Your Company has formulated a Dividend Distribution Policy ("the
Policy") pursuant to Regulation 43A of the Listing Regulations. The objective of the
Policy is to maintain stability in the dividend pay-out of the Company, subject to the
applicable laws, and to ensure a regular dividend income for the members and long-term
capital appreciation for all stakeholders of the Company.
Your Company would ensure to strike the right balance between the
quantum of dividend paid and the amount of profits retained in the business for various
purposes. The
Board of Directors refers to this Policy while declaring/ recommending
dividends on behalf of the Company. Through this Policy, the Company would try to maintain
a consistent approach to dividend pay-out plans, subject to the applicable laws. The
Policy has been uploaded on the website of your Company at:
https://www.icra.in/RegulatoryDisclosure/ShowCode
PolicyReport?id=7®ulatoryDisclosureReportId=647
Transfer to Investor Education and Protection Fund
The Company sends reminder letters to all members whose dividends are
unclaimed to ensure that they receive their rightful dues. Your Company has also uploaded
on its website, www.icra.in , information regarding unpaid/unclaimed dividend amounts
lying with your Company.
During 2024-25, the unclaimed dividend amount of RS. 1,62,648 towards
the unpaid dividend account of the
Company for the financial year 2016-17 was transferred to the Investor
Education and Protection Fund ("IEPF"). The said amount had remained unclaimed
for seven (7) years, despite reminder letters having been sent to each of the members
concerned.
Pursuant to Section 124(6) of the Act read with the Investor Education
and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 and its
amendments, all shares in respect of which dividend has not been paid or claimed for seven
consecutive years or more, shall be transferred by the Company in the demat account of
Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority ("the Authority") within a
period of 30 days of such shares becoming due to be transferred
60 to the IEPF, as per the procedure mentioned in the said Rules.
Accordingly, your Company has transferred 97 equity shares to the demat account of the
Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder. All
benefits accruing on such shares viz. bonus shares, split, consolidation, fraction shares
etc., except any right issue, shall also be credited to such a demat account.
Members may note that unclaimed dividend and shares transferred to the
demat account of the Authority can be claimed back by them from the Authority by following
the procedure mentioned in the said Rules.
Risk Management Policy
Your Company has formulated a risk management policy. The policy is a
formal acknowledgement of the commitment of your Company to risk management. The aim of
the policy is not to have the risk eliminated completely from the Company?s
activities, but rather to ensure that every effort is made by the Company to manage risks
appropriately to maximise potential opportunities and minimise the adverse effects of
risk.
The Board and the Risk Management Committee monitor and review the risk
management plan. At present, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, there are no risks
which may threaten the existence of the Company.
Risks and concerns are discussed in Section D of the Management
Discussion and Analysis Report.
Internal Control System and their Adequacy
Your Company has an internal control system, commensurate with its
size, nature of its business and complexities of its operations. The Board of Directors of
your Company has adopted policies and procedures for ensuring the orderly and efficient
conduct of your
Company?s business. The Board of Directors of your Company has
laid down Internal Financial Controls to provide reasonable assurance with regard to
recording and providing reliable financial and operational information, adherence to the
Company?s policies, safeguarding of assets and prevention and detection of frauds and
errors, the accuracy and completeness of accounting records and timely preparation of
reliable information. The Board and the Audit Committee regularly evaluate internal
financial controls.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Your Company has constituted a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Committee in accordance with Section 135 of the Act. The CSR policy has been devised on
the basis of the recommendations made by the CSR Committee. The composition of the CSR
Committee, the CSR policy of the Company, details about the development
and implementation of the policy and initiatives taken by the Company during the year as
required under the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014, as
amended, have been annexed to this report (Annexure V).
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report
Your Company, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 34(2)(f)
of the Listing Regulations has prepared a Business Responsibility and Sustainability
Report for the year 2024-25 (BRSR). The BRSR is an effective compliance and communication
tool for a company?s non-financial disclosures and is the next step in mandatory
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting in India. The BRSR describes the
initiatives taken by your Company from the ESG perspective and has been annexed to this
report (Annexure VI) and forms a part of the Director?s Report.
Particulars of Contracts or Arrangements with Related Parties
Your Company has entered into contracts or arrangements with its
related parties. The related-party transactions are disclosed in the financial statements
for the year ended March 31, 2025. Considering the amendments to definition of the related
parties effective from April 1, 2022, under the Listing Regulations, transactions between
the unlisted material subsidiary of the Company, ICRA Analytics, and Moody?s
Corporation
(including its affiliates) ("Moody?s entities") for
providing data outsourcing, research and IT support services, were approved by the members
of the Company as per the Listing Regulations, as the transaction(s) exceeds 10% of the
annual consolidated turnover of previous financial year. The said transactions are in the
ordinary course of business of the concerned subsidiary and at an arm?s length basis.
Except for this transaction, there have been no material-related party transactions as per
Section 188(1) of the Act and as per Regulation 23 of the Listing Regulations. The
required disclosures of information in Form AOC-2 in terms of Section 188 of the Act read
with Rules. 8(2) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, are annexed to this report (Annexure
VII).
Policy on Prohibition, Prevention and Redressal of Sexual Harassment
Your Company has formulated a Policy on Prohibition, Prevention and
Redressal of Sexual Harassment of
Women at Workplace in accordance with The Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prohibition, Prevention and Redressal) Act, 2013. The Company has constituted
an Internal Committee for prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at the workplace,
separately for all the branches. The Company has not received any complaints during the
year ended March 31, 2025. The disclosures in relation to The Sexual Harassment of Women
at Workplace (Prohibition, Prevention and Redressal) Act, 2013 have also been made in the
Corporate Governance Report.
Deposits
The Company has not accepted any public deposits and as such, no amount
on account of principal or interest on public deposits was outstanding as on the date of
the balance sheet.
Maintenance of Cost Records
The Company is not required to maintain cost records as per sub-section
(1) of Section 148 of the Act.
Particulars of Loans, Guarantees and Investments
The particulars of loans, guarantees and investments are disclosed in
the financial statements for the year ended
March 31, 2025. During the year no security has been provided as per
Section 186 of the Act.
Vigil Mechanism/Whistle-Blower Policy
Your Company has established a vigil mechanism, in compliance with the
provisions of Section 177 (9) of the Act, and Regulation 22 of the Listing Regulations. It
has also adopted a Whistle-Blower Policy to report unethical/ illegal/improper behaviour.
Your Company has made employees aware of the Whistle-Blower Policy to enable them to
report instances of leak of unpublished price-sensitive information.
The said Policy also provides for adequate safeguards against
victimisation of persons who use such vigil mechanism and makes provision for direct
access to the chairperson of the Audit Committee in exceptional cases. Further, no
stakeholders have been denied access to the Audit Committee.
Composition of the Audit Committee
Your Company has constituted an Audit Committee, the composition of
which has been provided in the Corporate Governance Report. During the year 2024-25, the
Board accepted all the recommendations of the Audit Committee.
Secretarial Standards
During the year under review, the Company complied with all the
applicable provisions of Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company
Secretaries of India and notified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of
India.
Proceeding under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
The Company has not filed any applications and no proceedings are
pending against the Company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, during the
financial year 2024-25.
Details of difference between amount of the valuation done at the time
of one-time settlement and the valuation done while taking loan from the banks or
financial institutions along with the reasons thereof
The Company has not made any one-time settlement with the banks or
financial institutions, therefore, the same is not applicable.
Litigations
There are certain pending cases against your Company which are sub
judice in court.
Besides this, the Company had filed an appeal before the Hon?ble
Securities Appellate Tribunal (the SAT?), challenging the adjudication
order in respect of an adjudication proceeding initiated by SEBI in relation to the credit
ratings assigned to one of the Company?s customers and the customer?s
subsidiaries (the
Impugned Order?) and had also filed an appeal
challenging the SEBI enhancement order before the SAT.
Significant and Material orders passed by the Regulators or Courts
There are no significant and material orders passed by the regulators
or courts or tribunals impacting the going concern status and operations of the Company in
future.
Acknowledgements
Your Directors acknowledge the cooperation and assistance received from
various institutions, Government agencies, members and professionals from different
disciplines.
Your Directors also wish to place on record their appreciation of the
contribution made by the members of the staff of your Company.