Your Directors are pleased to present the Thirty-fifth Annual Report of your Company along with the Audited FinancialStatements for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2025.
Persistent is Re(AI)magining the World with market-leading solutions and innovations. Powered by your Company’scommitment to collaborate with clients for growth, your Company has concluded another successful year with $1.4 Billionin annual revenue, positioning Persistent as the AI ecosystem partner of choice across geographies and industries. As yourCompany celebrates its 35th year, we extend our sincere thanks to its employees, clients, partners, and shareowners for theircontinued trust and confidence in our ability to create significant value and achieve mutual success.
Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, your Company continued to make remarkable strides and build on theunique heritage in product engineering and AI. This year, your Company achieved $1,409 Billion in revenue, an 18.8% year-on-year growth in US$ terms. This marks 20 quarters of sequential growth, outpacing the performance of other major serviceproviders in India. The EBIT margin for FY25 came in at 14.7%, compared to 14.4% for FY24, and the profit after tax for thefull year came in at 11.7%. Your Company announced a final dividend of INR 15 per share, marking our 15 years since its listingon the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited. This translates into a total dividend of INR 35 per share forFY25, which marks 35 years since the Company began this incredible journey. In addition, your Company’s compound annualgrowth rate (CAGR) is 17.4% since ts Inital Public Offering (IPO) in April 2010, and 25.6% over the last four years (FY21-FY25),outperforming the majority of your Company’s peers.
Your Company’s global team has expanded to more than 24,500 employees across 19 countries.
Your Company continues to transform its operations with new AI solutions and innovations, which provide high degrees ofagility and resiliency to respond to changing market dynamics. Your Company is persistently Re(AI)magining with its clientsand partners, helping them in their transformation journey.
Despite the Company’s ongoing achievements, it continuously propels itself to search for new innovations as a way to remaindifferentiated and competitive in the market. With the proliferation of AI, clients continue to rely on your Company as theirtrusted AI partner, with a commitment to developing solutions that unlock value, drive growth, and instil operational resiliency.
Your Company’s AI strategy is proceeding with clients on several fronts, with a particular focus on sub-verticals within itsprimary industries of BFSI, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Software / Hi-Tech:
• Your Company is collaborating with leading tech firms and Hyperscalers partners such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, GoogleCloud, and Salesforce to engineer scalable platforms, utilising our unique Generative AI-enabled platform, SASVA, toaccelerate software and application development. To date, your Company has filed for 35 patents for SASVA in areas suchas backlog prioritisation, LLM-driven security simulations, and dynamic data pipeline orchestration.
• Your Company is leveraging AI agents to transform clients’ outdated backend processes into AI-driven workflows, utilizingits unique platforms such as GenAI Hub for new GenAI-powered applications.
• Your Company unveiled iAURA 2.0, the latest version of our AI-enabled data transformation platform, as customers look forways to leverage their vast amounts of structured and unstructured data for powerful data-driven decision-making.
• Your Company has made key strategic acquisitions with Starfish Associates and Arrka to bring AI-driven enhancements tocontact centre transformation, unified communications, and data privacy.
• Your Company is focusing on bringing AI solutions into fast-growing sub-verticals, such as intelligent operations forinsurance, AI-driven payments platforms in banking, and enhanced member experiences in healthcare.
• Your Company is also using ongoing AI investments to pivot clients to outcome-driven business models, with a focus onaccelerating value, growth, and time-to-market for new products and services.
These strategic moves have occurred in parallel with the continued expansion of your Company’s Hyperscalers partnerships. Incollaboration with Microsoft, your Company launched new AI-powered offerings, including ContractAssIst, an AI-driven contractmanagement solution, and a GenAI-powered Population Health Management (PHM) solution. Your Company entered into along-term Strategic Partnership Agreement with Google Cloud to expand its reach across the US, India, the UK, and Australia, witha focus on Google Cloud’s AI platforms. As an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, your Company continue to build on its multi¬year Strategic Collaboration. Agreement to accelerate the development and adoption of GenAI solutions utilising platforms suchas Amazon Bedrock. Building on its relationship with Salesforce, your Company has successfully enabled its team members toachieve more than 1,000 Salesforce AI Associate Certifications, bringing its total certifications to more than 10,500. This milestoneshowcases its team’s deep expertise and proficiency in Salesforce technologies, particularly in AI-driven solutions.
Your Company matches these investments with continued AI training through Persistent University, ensuring it provides provide AItalent at scale for its clients’ transformation initiatives.
Third-party analysts and market observers are acknowledging your Company’s innovation and success. Your Company wasidentified for the second consecutive year as a Challenger in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Transformation Servicesand awarded the 2024 ISG Star of Excellence for Superior Customer Experience. Your Company received additional accolades fromISG, including Star of Excellence awards in the categories of Most Adaptable Partner, Universal Information Technology Outsourcing,and for Outstanding Service in the Americas Region. As your Company continues its European investments, it received top rankingsfor client satisfaction in innovation in the European IT outsourcing study by Whitelane Research. Your Company was also recognisedin the prestigious Economic Times Human Capital Awards 2025 across multiple categories for its excellence in employee practices.
Furthermore, your Company remains committed to achieving success through various Environmental, Social, and Governance(ESG) activities. Since February 2025, your Company has achieved 100% renewable energy sourcing for all its owned locationsin Pune, Nagpur, and Goa through solar rooftops, wind energy and green tariffs. Your Company is included in the top 10% ofS&P Global 2025 Sustainability Yearbook for its responsible business practices and long-term ESG impact. Your Company wasrecognised at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Sustainability Reporting Awards 2023-24, highlighting itsdedication to transparent ESG practices. Finally, your Company was featured on the Nasdaq MarketSite Tower in New York’sTimes Square for winning awards at the the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) Business Business Responsibility andSustainability Awards and the National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance.
By remaining focused on innovation and client success, your Company remains committed to Re(AI)magining the World bycollaborating with enterprises as they harness the power of AI. As your Company continues to build on its product engineeringheritage to drive new AI advancements, your Company remains confident in its ability to deliver lasting value for all of itsstakeholders.
The highlights of the financial performance on a consolidated basis for the year ended March 31, 2025, are as under:
(Amount in INR Million except (based on
(Amount in USD Million except EPS, Book Value and Market amounts inEPS and Book Value) Value per share) INR)
Particulars
2024-25
2023-24
Revenue from Operations
1,390.65
1,185.99
119,387.17
98,215.87
21.56%
Earnings before interest, depreciation,amortisation and taxes
239.74
202.35
20,581.93
16,756.86
22.83%
Finance Cost'
7.82
5.64
671.29
467.27
43.66%
Depreciation and amortisation
35.75
37.36
3,069.10
3,093.73
-0.80%
Other incomes
16.09
15.46
1,381.54
1,280.20
7.92%
Tax expenses
49.17
42.76
4,221.47
3,541.15
19.21%
Net profit
163.09
132.04
14,001.61
10,934.91
28.05%
Transfer to general reserve
-
47.54
3,965.23
0.00%
Net worth#
738.57
593.69
63,125.46
49,513.46
27.49%
Earnings per share (EPS) (Basic)®
1.07
0.87
91.22
72.44
25.92%
Earnings per share (EPS) (Diluted)®
1.06
0.86
90.24
71.07
26.97%
Book value per equity share
4.74
3.85
405.46
321.41
26.15%
Market value per equity share as on March 31
BSE Limited
5,206.15
3,989.25
30.50%
National Stock Exchange of India Limited
5,290.55
3,984.55
32.78%
[Conversion Rate USD 1 = INR 85.85 for Profit and Loss items; USD 1 = INR 85.47 for Balance Sheet items(Financial Year 2024-25) and USD 1 = INR 82.81 for Profit and Loss items; USD 1 = INR 83.40 for Balance Sheet items(Financial Year 2023-24).]
@The Equity Shares of the Company have been sub-divided in a 1:2 ratio and the impact of the Sub-Division has been given toEPS.
'Includes notional interest on lease liability FY 25: INR 254.23 Million (FY 24: INR 180.02 Million) recognised in accordancewith Ind AS-116 on Leases and notional interest on amounts due to selling Members INR 15.27 Million(Previous year: INR 51.05 Million).
#Equity Share Capital, Reserves and Surplus (excluding Gain on bargain purchase) and other comprehensive income areconsidered for the purpose of computing Net Worth and Book Value per share.
The highlights of the financial performance on a standalone basis for the year ended March 31, 2025, are as under:
(Amount in (Amount in (based on
USD Million except INR Million except amounts in
EPS and Book Value) EPS and Book Value) INR)
1,366.11
786.62
117,280.21
65,142.17
80.04%
Earnings before interest, depreciation,amortisation, and taxes
188.23
160.77
16,159.25
13,313.91
21.37%
5.53
2.05
474.66
169.84
179.47%
20.52
19.61
1,761.98
1,623.64
8.52%
Other income
21.06
19.86
1,808.25
1,644.86
9.93%
48.68
39.95
4,179.45
3,308.64
26.32%
134.55
119.02
11,551.41
9,856.65
17.19%
698.96
572.98
59,740.08
47,786.51
25.01%
0.77
74.45
64.06
16.22%
4.48
3.72
383.32
310.20
19.07%
[Conversion Rate USD 1 = INR 85.85 for Profit and Loss items; USD 1 = INR 85.47 for Balance Sheet items(Financial Year 2024-25) and USD 1 = INR 82.81 for Profit and Loss items; USD 1 = INR 83.40 for Balance Sheet items(Financial Year 2023-24)]
@The Equity Shares of the Company have been sub-divided in a 1:2 ratio and the impact of the Sub-Division has beengiven to EPS.
'Includes notional interest on lease liability FY 25: INR 218.69 Million (FY 24: INR 147,50 Million) recognised in accordancewith Ind AS-116 on Leases and notional interest
#Equity Share Capital, Reserves and Surplus (excluding Gain on bargain purchase), and other comprehensive income areconsidered for the purpose of computing Net Worth and Book Value per share.
1. The Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai (the ‘Hon’ble NCLT’) sanctioned the merger of M/s. Capiot SoftwarePrivate Limited (Wholly Owned Subsidiary - Transferor Company) into Persistent Systems Limited (Holding Company - TransfereeCompany) by absorption through its order dated April 9, 2025. The Certified Copy of the said order has been received by yourCompany on April 21, 2025, and filed with the Registrar of Companies (ROC), Pune on May 13, 2025.
2. The Board of Directors approved the proposal of merger of M/s. Arrka Infosec Private Limited (Wholly Owned Subsidiary) intoPersistent Systems Limited (Holding Company), subject to the receipt of necessary approvals in accordance with the provisionsof the Companies Act, 2013.
3. Consequent to the receipt of approval by the Members at the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on July 16, 2024,
Mr. Praveen Kadle (DIN: 00016814) commenced his second term as the Independent Director of the Company for 5 (Five)consecutive years effective from April 23, 2025, to April 22, 2030.
4. The Board has approved the issuance of 560,000 Equity Shares of INR 5 each to PSPL ESOP Management Trust (‘ESOP Trust’)in its meeting held on January 22, 2025. Based on the authority given by the Board, the Stakeholders Relationship and ESGCommittee has inter-alia approved the allotment of 550,000 (Five Hundred Fifty Thousand only) Equity Shares of INR 5 (Five)each at the allotment price of INR 316.30 per Equity Share, aggregating to the total consideration of INR 173.9650 Million to theESOP Trust on May 8, 2025.
5. Ms. Anuja Ramdasi, Head - Internal Audit of the Company upon changing her role and responsibilities due to internal
reorganization, decided to relinquish the position of Head - Internal Audit of the Company effective from the closure of businesshours on June 6, 2025 (IST). In view of the same, the Board of Directors, at its meeting held on June 6, 2025 approved theappointment of M/s. Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Accountants (LLP Identification No.: AAB-4343) as the Internal Auditors ofthe Company for the term of 3 (Three) consecutive financial years effective from FY 2025-26 to FY 2027-2028 based on therecommendation of the Audit Committee.
There were no other material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of your Company between end of theFinancial Year 2024-25 and the date of this report.
The following businesses are recommended to the Members for their approval at the ensuing 35th Annual General Meeting ofthe Company:
a. The Board of Directors appointed Mr. Vinit Teredesai (DIN: 10661577), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company, as anAdditional Director (Executive Member) of the Company to hold office with effect from April 24, 2025, till September 30, 2028,subject to the approval of Members.
As the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Mr. Teredesai is responsible for Corporate Finance, Treasury, Financial Reporting,Taxation, Investor Relations, Risk Management and Administration.
Prior to joining the Company in May 2024, Mr. Teredesai has over 29 years of experience in the areas of corporate finance,international and domestic taxation, and management accounting. He has worked with Mindtree as CFO, KPIT Technologies asCFO and CIO and his most recent role was with LTIMindtree where he was the Chief Financial Officer of the merged entity postthe merger of L&T Infotech and Mindtree in 2022.
He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Cost and Works Accountant, Certified Public Accountant (USA) and has also completedhis General Management from MIT Sloan School of Management, Cambridge MA focusing on Strategy, Innovation andTechnology.
Further details regarding Mr. Teredesai’s proposed appointment are included in the 35th AGM Notice.
b. The current term of M/s. Walker Chandiok & Co LLP, Pune (Firm Registration No.: 001076N/N500013) existing StatutoryAuditors of the Company, will complete at the conclusion of the ensuing 35th AGM of the Company. In view of the same, theBoard of Directors appointed M/s. B S R & Co. LLP, Chartered Accountants, Pune (FRN: 101248W/W-100022) as the StatutoryAuditors of the Company for the first term of 5 (Five) consecutive years effective from the conclusion of the ensuing 35th AGM tillthe conclusion of the 40th AGM of the Company, subject to the approval of Members.
c. The Board of Directors appointed M/s. SVD & Associates, Practising Company Secretaries, Pune, bearing Peer Review CertificateNo. 6357/2025, as the Secretarial Auditors of the Company for the first term of 5 (Five) consecutive years effective from
FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30, subject to the approval of Members.
d. The Board of Directors, at its meeting held on June 6, 2025, recommended the re-appointment of Dr. Anand Deshpande(DIN: 00005721) as the Managing Director of the Company liable to retire by rotation, to hold office for a period of 5 (Five)consecutive years i.e., up to the conclusion of the 40th Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on or beforeSeptember 30, 2030, subject to the approval of the Members.
e. The Board of Directors, at its meeting held on June 6, 2025, recommended the re-appointment of Mr. Sandeep Kalra
(DIN: 02506494) as an Executive Director of the Company liable to retire by rotation, to hold the office for 3 (Three) consecutiveyears i.e., from October 1, 2025, till September 30, 2028, subject to the approval of the Members and the Central Governmentof India.
As per Section 134 of the Companies Act, 2013 (the ‘Act’), your Company has provided the Consolidated Financial Statementsas of March 31, 2025. Your Directors believe that the consolidated financial statements present a more comprehensive pictureas compared to the Standalone Financial Statements. The financial statements are available for inspection during businesshours at the Registered Office of your Company and the offices of the respective subsidiary companies. A statement showingthe financial highlights of the subsidiary companies is enclosed with the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Annual Report of your Company does not contain full financial statements of the subsidiary companies; however, yourCompany will make available the audited annual accounts and related information of the subsidiary companies electronicallyin line with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ (MCA) Circular dated May 5, 2020, and its extensions from time to time upon
written request by any Member of your Company. The Standalone and Consolidated Financial Statements, along with relevantdocuments and audited financial statements of the subsidiaries, are available on the Company’s website at https://www.persistent.com/investors/financial-results-and-reports/financial-statement-of-subsidiary/
Consolidated Financial Statements of your Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2025, are prepared in accordancewith the Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) - 110 on ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ notified by the Ministry ofCorporate Affairs of India (MCA) and form part of this Annual Report.
a. The Stakeholders Relationship and ESG Committee has inter-alia approved the allotment of 600,000 (Six Hundred Thousandonly) Equity Shares of INR 5 each at the allotment price of INR 643.50 per Equity Share to PSPL ESOP Management Trust
on July 10, 2024.
b. The Stakeholders Relationship and ESG Committee has inter-alia approved the allotment of 1,200,000 (One Million Two HundredThousand Only) Equity Shares of INR 5 each at the allotment price of INR 1,216.50 per Equity Share to PSPL ESOP ManagementTrust on September 6, 2024.
The Members of your Company at the 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on July 24, 2020, appointed M/s. WalkerChandiok & Co LLP, Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No. 001076N/N500013) as the Statutory Auditors of yourCompany to hold such office for a period of 5 (Five) years i.e., up to the conclusion of the 35th AGM to be held in the calendaryear 2025 or before September 30, 2025.
Further, in terms of Regulation 33(1)(d) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the‘Listing Regulations’), M/s. Walker Chandiok & Co. LLP, Statutory Auditors of your Company have confirmed that they holda valid certificate issued by the ‘Peer Review Board’ of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for these years andhave provided a copy of the said certificate to your Company for reference and records.
The Auditors’ Report for the FY 2024-25 does not contain any qualifications, observations, reservations, or adverse remarks.
Further, the Audit Committee and Board of Directors, in their meetings held in April 2025, have recommended theappointment of M/s. B S R & Co. LLP, Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No. 01248W/W-100022) as the StatutoryAuditors of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the 35th Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) up to the conclusionof the 40th AGM of the Company to be held in the calendar year 2030, to the Members for their approval.
A detailed profile of M/s. B S R & Co. LLP is included in the 35th AGM Notice along with the resolution for the considerationof the Members. M/s. B S R & Co. LLP have confirmed that they hold a valid certificate issued by the ‘Peer Review Board’ ofthe Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and have provided a copy of the said certificate to your Company forreference and records.
Considering the rich experience and reputed clientele, and based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Boardof Directors recommends the Resolution at Item No. 5 for the approval of the Members as an Ordinary Resolution.
Pursuant to Section 204 of the Act, the Board of Directors had appointed M/s. SVD & Associates, Practicing CompanySecretaries, Pune as the Secretarial Auditors of your Company for the Financial Year 2024-25.
Accordingly, the Secretarial Auditors have given the report, which is annexed hereto as Annexure A. There are noqualifications in the Secretarial Audit Report for FY 2024-25, however, the Secretarial Audit Report contains an observationas follows:
Delayed submission of intimation about resignation of SMP of the listed entity through Corporate Announcement bearingRef. No. NSE & BSE / 2024-25 / 026 dated April 28, 2024.
A disclosure under Regulation 30 of SEBI LODR pertaining to the resignation of Senior Management Personnel wasintimated with a delay to BSE and NSE (the Stock Exchanges) for which clarifications was sought by BSE vide their letterdated April 29, 2024, which was duly replied by the Company. Subsequently, both the Stock exchanges have issued awarning email asking the Company to take necessary steps to avoid such delays in the future.
In response to the clarification letter, the Company submitted the reason for the delay with a copy of the resignationthrough the Corporate Announcement bearing Ref. No. NSE & BSE / 2024-25 / 026A on April 29, 2024. The Companyinformed in the clarification that the delay in reporting was inadvertent and unintentional and the Company has takennecessary steps to avoid such delays in the future.
Further, the Company disseminated the warning emails received from the Stock Exchanges through the CorporateAnnouncement to both Stock Exchanges and also placed the same before the Board of Directors with the proposedcorrective steps as advised by the Stock Exchanges.
In terms of newly inserted Regulation 24A of the Listing Regulations, the appointment of M/s. SVD & Associates, PractisingCompany Secretaries, Pune, to act as the Secretarial Auditors of the Company for the term of 5 (Five) consecutive years fromthe financial year 2025-26 till 2029-30, has been recommended by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors at theirmeeting held in April 2025 to the Members for their approval.
Prior to the above, M/s. SVD & Associates were appointed as the Secretarial Auditors for three financial years, 2022-23,2023-24, and 2024-25, respectively, in terms of the provisions of Section 204 of the Act. In terms of the aforesaid ListingRegulations, any association of an individual / firm as the Secretarial Auditor of the listed entity before March 31, 2025, shallnot be considered for the purpose of calculating the tenure.
M/s. SVD & Associates hold a valid Certificate of Peer Review (bearing No. 6357/2025) as issued by the Institute of CompanySecretaries of India and has confirmed their eligibility to be appointed as the Secretarial Auditors for the term of 5 (Five)consecutive years at such audit fee as provided in Item No. 9 of the 35th AGM Notice.
Considering the rich professional experience, reputed clientele, and guidance on best secretarial practices to ensuregovernance and based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors recommends the Resolutionat Item No. 9 of the 35th AGM Notice for the approval of the Members as an Ordinary Resolution.
During the year under review, the Statutory Auditors have not reported to the Audit Committee, under Section 143(12) of theAct, any instances of fraud committed against your Company by its officers or employees, the details of which would need tobe mentioned in the Board’s Report or directly to the Central Government under intimation to your Company.
Your Board is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate Internal Financial Control as per Section 134 of the Act.
Your Board has laid down policies and processes with respect to Internal Financial Controls and such Internal FinancialControls were adequate and were operating effectively. The Internal Financial Controls covered the policies and proceduresadopted by your Company for ensuring orderly and efficient conduct of business including adherence to your Company’spolicies, safeguarding of the assets of your Company, prevention, and detection of fraud and errors, accuracy andcompleteness of accounting records and timely preparation of reliable financial information.
The details of the internal audit team and its functions are given in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report formingpart of this Annual Report.
Maintenance of cost records and the requirement of cost audit as prescribed under the provisions of Section 148(1) of the Actare not applicable for the business activities carried out by your Company.
Loans, guarantees and investments covered under Section 186 of the Act form part of the notes to the financial statementsprovided in this Annual Report (Refer notes 5, 6, 10, 14, 17, and 33 of the Standalone Financial Statements).
Transfer to Reserves
During the year, the Company has not transferred any amount to the General Reserves.
Fixed Deposits
In terms of the provision of Sections 73 and 74 of the Act read with the relevant Rules, your Company has not accepted anyfixed deposits during the year under report.
Your Company maintains adequate liquidity to meet the necessary strategic and growth objectives.
Your Company aims to balance between earning adequate returns on liquid assets and the need to cover financial andbusiness risks. As of March 31, 2025, your Company, on a standalone basis, had cash and cash equivalents (includinginvestments) amounting to INR 15,948.29 Million as against INR 14,300.66 Million as of March 31, 2024.
(In INR Million)
2025
2024
Investment in Mutual Funds at fair value
6,158.97
4,801.50
Fixed Deposits with scheduled banks
3,175.75
3,244.72
Bonds (quoted)
2,995.57
2,995.61
Cash and Bank balances
3,618.00
3,258.83
Total
15,948.29
14,300.66
Capital expenditure
Revenue expenditure
210.62
269.48
Total research and development expenditure
As a percentage of total income
0.18%
0.40%
Earnings
59,854.22
48,403.78
Outgo
18,927.15
8,548.03
Your Company has deposits of INR 430 Million with Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd. (IL&FS) and IL&FSFinancial Services Ltd. (referred to as ‘IL&FS Group’) as on March 31, 2025. These were due for maturity between January2019 and June 2019. In view of the uncertainty prevailing with respect to the recovery of outstanding balances from IL&FSGroup, the Management has fully provided for these deposits along with interest accrued thereon till the date the depositshad become doubtful of recovery.
During the year, the Company recovered INR 21.12 Million from the IL&FS Group, and the Management is hopeful of therecovery of the balance amount with a time lag. The Company continues to monitor developments in the matter and iscommitted to taking steps, including legal action, that may be necessary to ensure full recovery of the said deposits.
Related Party Transactions
The Policy to determine the materiality of related party transactions and dealing with related party transactions, as approvedby the Board of Directors, is available on your Company’s website at https://www.persistent.com/investors/corporate-governance/related-partv-transactions-policv/
During the year under report, your Company did not enter into any material transaction with any party who is related to it asper the Act. There were certain transactions entered into by your Company with its subsidiaries and other parties who arerelated within the meaning of the Indian Accounting Standards i.e., Ind AS - 24. The attention of Members is drawn to thedisclosure of transactions with such related parties set out in Note No. 33 of the Standalone Financial Statements, formingpart of this Annual Report. The Board of Directors confirms that none of the transactions with any of the related parties were inconflict with your Company’s interests. The list of Related Party Transactions entered into by your Company for the FinancialYear 2024-25 (on a consolidated basis) is available on https://www.persistent.com/investors/corporate-governance/related-party-transactions-policy/
The related party transactions are entered into based on considerations of various business requirements, such as synergy inoperations, sectoral specialisation, and your Company’s long-term strategy for sectoral investments, optimisation of marketshare, profitability, legal requirements, liquidity, and capital resources of subsidiaries.
All related party transactions are entered into on an arm’s length basis, are in the ordinary course of business, and are intendedto further your Company’s interests.
The information on transactions with related parties pursuant to Section 134(3)(h) of the Act read with Rule 8(2) of theCompanies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is given in Annexure B in Form No. AOC-2 and the same forms part of this report.
Board Meetings
The details pertaining to the composition, terms of reference, and other details of the Board of Directors of your Company andthe meetings thereof held during the Financial Year 2024-25 are given in the Report on Corporate Governance forming partof this Annual Report.
Directors and Key Managerial Personnel
a. During the year under report, Mr. Sunil Sapre, Executive Director (DIN: 06475949) relinquished his office as the Chief FinancialOfficer with effect from the closure of business hours of May 15, 2024.
b. Subsequently, the Board of Directors of your Company appointed Mr. Vinit Teredesai as the Chief Financial Officer of theCompany with effect from the closure of business hours of May 15, 2024.
c. Ms. Roshini Bakshi retired as an Independent Director of the Company w.e.f. the conclusion of the 34th AGM held on July16, 2024 pursuant to completion of two terms on 5 (five) consecutive years.
d. During the year under report, the Members of your Company, in the 34th AGM held on July 16, 2024, confirmed the appointmentof Ms. Anjali Joshi, USA (DIN: 10661577) as an Independent Director of your Company, not liable to retire by rotation, to holdoffice for the first term of 5 (Five) consecutive years, i.e. from June 12, 2024, to June 11, 2029.
e. Pursuant to the approval of the Members in the 34th AGM held on July 16, 2024, Mr. Sunil Sapre, Executive Director, wasreappointed as an Executive Director for a term of 3 (Three) months from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, given hissuperannuation.
Thereafter, Mr. Sapre ceased to be an Executive Director of the Company w.e.f. the closure of business hours of December31, 2024. The Board expressed its appreciation for his valuable contribution to the Company’s growth journey.
Retirement by Rotation
In terms of Section 152(6) of the Act and Article 137 of the Articles of Association of your Company, Mr. Sandeep Kalra,Pennsylvania, USA (DIN: 02506494), Executive Director is liable to retire by rotation at the ensuing AGM as he is theNon-Independent Director who is holding office for the longest period among the Non-Independent Directors on thecurrent Board.
Mr. Kalra has confirmed his eligibility and willingness to accept the office of Director of your Company if confirmed by theMembers at the ensuing AGM.
The Board at its meeting held on June 6, 2025, discussed the same and approved the proposal of the Nomination andRemuneration Committee (‘NRC’) for the reappointment of Mr. Kalra. In the opinion of your Directors, Mr. Kalra has therequisite qualifications and experience, and therefore, your Directors recommend that the proposed resolution relating tothe reappointment of Mr. Kalra in the 35th AGM Notice, be passed with the requisite majority.
Appointment of Directors since last AGM
1. Proposed reappointment of Dr. Anand Deshpande as a Managing Director (Executive Member), liable to retire byrotation, to hold office for a period of 5 (Five) years i.e., up to the conclusion of the 40th AGM of the Company to be heldon or before September 30, 2030
In terms of Section 196 of the Act, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (‘NRC’) of the Board of Directors of theCompany at its meeting held on June 6, 2025, recommended the reappointment of Dr. Anand Deshpande (DIN: 00005721) asthe Managing Director (Executive Member) of the Company for a period of 5 (Five) years i.e., from the conclusion of the35th AGM up to the conclusion of the 40th AGM of the Company to be held on or before September 30, 2030.
The Board at its meeting held on June 6, 2025, discussed and approved the proposal of the NRC for the reappointment ofDr. Deshpande is the Founder of your Company and as part of the promoter group, owns 29.25% of the shares of your Companyas of March 31, 2025. In addition, your Board considered his expertise in the Software Industry, large-scale global operations,strategy and planning, and business acumen of Dr. Deshpande while recommending his appointment.
Further details regarding the appointment of Dr. Deshpande forms part of the 35th AGM Notice.
2. Proposed reappointment of Mr. Sandeep Kalra as an Executive Director, liable to retire by rotation, to hold the office for3 (Three) consecutive years i.e., from October 1, 2025, till September 30, 2028, subject to the approval of the Membersat the ensuing AGM and the Central Government of India.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (‘NRC’) of the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting heldon June 6, 2025, recommended the reappointment of Mr. Sandeep Kalra (DIN: 02506494) as the Executive Directorof the Company i.e., from October 1, 2025, till September 30, 2028, subject to the approval of the Members at theensuing AGM and the Central Government of India.
The Board at its meeting held on June 6, 2025, discussed and approved the proposal of the NRC for the reappointment of Mr.Kalra. Your Board considered expertise in the Software Industry, large-scale global operations, strategy and planning, and businessacumen of Mr. Kalra while recommending his appointment. Further details regarding the appointment of Mr. Kalra forms part ofthe 35th AGM Notice.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (‘NRC’) of the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held onApril 23, 2025 (PDT) / April 24, 2025 (IST) recommended the appointment of Mr. Vinit Teredesai (DIN: 03293917) as anAdditional Director (Executive Member) of the Company with effect from April 24, 2025, to September 30, 2028.
The Board at its meeting held on April 24, 2025, discussed and approved the proposal of the NRC for the appointment ofMr. Teredesai. Your Board considered expertise in the Corporate Finance, Treasury, Financial Reporting, Taxation, InvestorRelations, Risk Management and Administration, and business acumen of Mr. Teredesai while recommending his appointment.Further details regarding the appointment of Mr. Teredesai forms part of the 35th AGM Notice.
In the opinion of your Directors, Dr. Deshpande, Mr. Kalra and Mr. Teredesai have the requisite qualifications and experienceand therefore, your Directors recommend that the proposed resolutions relating to the appointment / re-appointments bepassed with the requisite majority. The candidates’ profiles forms part of this Annual Report and have also been provided inthe 35th AGM Notice.
As on the date of this report, your Company has 7 (Seven) Non-Executive Members on the Board who are IndependentDirectors. Pursuant to Regulation 17(1)(b) of the Listing Regulations, every listed company where the Chairperson is anExecutive Director shall have at least half of its total strength of the Board of Directors as Independent Directors. YourCompany complies with this requirement.
There is no inter-se relationship between the Directors except the following:
• Dr. Anand Deshpande, Chairman and Managing Director, Prof. Ajit Ranade, Independent Director and Mr. Arvind Goel,Independent Director, are Directors of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA).
In terms of the Listing Regulations, your Company conducts the Familiarisation Programme for Independent Directors abouttheir roles, rights, and responsibilities in your Company, the nature of the industry in which your Company operates, thebusiness model of your Company, etc., through various initiatives. The details of the same can be found at:https://www.persistent. com/investors/familiarisation-programme/
The Board confirms that all Independent Directors of your Company have given a declaration to the Board that they meetthe criteria of independence as prescribed under Section 149(6) of the Act along with the Rules framed thereunder andRegulation 16 of the Listing Regulations.
Further, they have included their names in the databank of Independent Directors maintained with the Indian Institute ofCorporate Affairs in terms of Section 150 of the Act read with Rule 6 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification ofDirectors) Rules, 2014.
During the Financial Year 2024-25, 2 (Two) separate meetings, exclusively of the Independent Directors, were held on April 21,2024 and October 21, 2024, in which the Independent Directors transacted the following businesses along with a few otherimportant strategic and policy-related matters:
1. Reviewed performance of the Executive Directors and Management of the Company
2. Discussed the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information between the Directors and the Management ofthe Company
3. Discussed the strategic matters of the Company and the current state of the global IT industry
4. Discussed the business continuity plan in the organisation
The details of the powers, functions, composition, and meetings of all the Committees of the Board held during the year underreport are given in the Report on Corporate Governance forming part of this Annual Report.
Audit Committee
The details pertaining to the composition, terms of reference, and other details of the Audit Committee of the Board ofDirectors of your Company and the meetings thereof held during the Financial Year are given in the Report on CorporateGovernance forming part of this Annual Report. The recommendations of the Audit Committee in terms of its Charter wereconsidered positively by the Board of Directors of your Company from time to time during the year under Report.
The details including the composition and terms of reference of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) and themeetings thereof held during the Financial Year and the Remuneration Policy of your Company and other matters provided inSection 178(3) of the Act are given in the Report on Corporate Governance section forming part of this Annual Report.
Policy for the appointment of a new director on the Board
The Board of Directors decide the criteria for the appointment of a new Director on the Board from time to time, dependingon the dates of retirement of existing Directors and the strategic needs of your Company. The criteria include expertisearea, industry experience, professional background, association with other companies, and similar important parameters. Itis important to have alignment and balance on the Board. Efforts are made to ensure that there is diversity on the Board.
By design, every member of the Board represents a critical function of the Company, and when considering new members,efforts are made to ensure that the new member has demonstrated operating a business function at a significantly greaterscale than your Company.
Once the criteria are determined, the Board directs the NRC to compile profiles of suitable candidates through networking,industry associations and business connections. The NRC considers each and every profile based on the decided parametersand shortlists the candidates.
The NRC Chair interacts with four to six shortlisted candidates and recommends at most three candidates for other Membersof the NRC to interact with.
Efforts are made to ensure that the Board has adequate diversity across various parameters such as expertise, nationality andgender in terms of The Board Diversity Policy. The Board has decided that for new appointments, female candidates must beconsidered and will be included in the pool of potential candidates.
The Board Diversity Policy adopted by the Board sets out its approach to diversity. The policy is available on the Company’swebsite, at https://www.persistent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Board-Diversitv-Policv.pdf
Once the NRC is convinced about a candidate’s competency, his / her business acumen, commitment towards his/herassociation with your Company, disclosure of his / her interest in other entities and his/her availability for your Company onvarious matters as and when they arise, it recommends the candidate to the Board of Directors for its further consideration.Generally, the Board accepts the recommendation by consensus.
The Policy for appointment of a new Director is also available on your Company’s website at https://www.persistent.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/_Policy-for-appointment-of-a-new-director.pdf
The general terms and conditions of appointment of Independent Directors is available on the Company website at
https://www.persistent.com/investors/corporate-governance/other-disclosures/terms-and-conditions-of-appointment-of-
independent-directors/
Your Company conducts the annual performance evaluation of the Board, the Chairman, its various Committees, and theDirectors individually, including the Independent Directors. The performance evaluation is done by an external managementconsultant who specialises in Board evaluations. The performance of the Board is evaluated by seeking inputs from allthe directors and senior management. The evaluation criteria include aspects such as the Board composition, structure,effectiveness of board processes, information, and functioning, etc.
This year, our fourteenth evaluation was conducted in March and April 2025, and the findings were presented at theApril 2025 meetings of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors.
The details of the evaluation form part of the Report on Corporate Governance.
The percentage increase in remuneration, ratio of remuneration of each Director and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) (as requiredunder the Act) to the median of employees’ remuneration, and the details required under Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rule5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, form part of Annexure C to the Report.
The statement containing particulars of all the employees employed throughout the year and in receipt of remuneration ofINR 1.02 Crore or more per annum and employees employed for part of the year and in receipt of remuneration ofINR 8.5 lakh or more per month, as required under Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Companies(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, forms part of this Report. However, pursuant to thefirst provision to Section 136 (1) of the Act, this report is being sent to the Members, excluding the aforesaid information. AnyMember interested in obtaining the said information may write to the Company Secretary at the Registered Office of theCompany and the said information is open for inspection at the Registered Office of the Company.
Over the years, your Company has implemented 13 (Thirteen) ESOP Schemes. These Schemes are being implemented as per the SEBIShare Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity Regulations, 2021 (‘SEBI SBEB Regulations’), and as of March 31, 2025, 2 (Two)schemes viz. ‘Persistent Employee Stock Option Scheme 2014’ (‘PESOS 2014’) and ‘Persistent Systems Limited-Employee Stock OptionPlan 2017’ (‘ESOP 2017’) are active.
The Members of your Company in the 31st AGM and 33rd AGM approved amendments in the ‘Persistent Employee StockOption Scheme 2014’ (‘PESOS 2014’) and ‘Persistent Systems Limited-Employee Stock Option Plan 2017’ (‘ESOP 2017’) andincreased the kitty available for grant of Stock Options. Further, through Postal Ballot Notice dated February 6, 2024, theresults of which were announced on March 11, 2024, the Members approved an amendment in the PESOS 2014 to add a timeperiod to the existing maximum cap on the Stock Options that could be granted to an individual employee of the Companyunder PESOS 2014. Further, the Members also approved increasing the kitty available for grants under the PESOS 2014Scheme in the 34th AGM.
During the Financial Year 2024-25, the Company granted 1,862,610 options under PESOS 2014, and 115,800 options underESOP 2017 to the eligible employees.
As required under the SEBI SBEB Regulations, the Secretarial Auditor’s certificate confirming that the implementation ofshare-based schemes is in accordance with these regulations will be made available at the AGM.
The disclosure pursuant to the SEBI SBEB Regulations is available on the website of the Company at https://www.persistent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/esop-details-2025.pdf
Your Company is committed to making a difference in the community that we all belong to. Your Company considers societyand the environment as important stakeholders of the Company.
Your Company has engaged with various non-profit organisations and has voluntarily donated 1% of the Company’s profitfor social causes since 1996 and increased that to 2% of the profit since 2013, in accordance with Section 135 of theCompanies Act, 2013.
To institutionalise and to further your Company’s CSR commitment, your Company formed a Public Charitable Trust-persistent Foundation’ in the Financial Year 2008-09 and a Section 8 Company, Persistent India Foundation, in the FinancialYear 2024-25 (together referred to as ‘Foundations’). When the CSR provisions were first introduced in the Companies Act,2013, your Directors formally requested the Foundation’s help to fulfil the Company’s CSR obligations.
Your Company acknowledges the contribution made by the Foundation in coordinating and ensuring that the CSR donationsmade by your Company are being effectively deployed as proposed and have an impact on society. Volunteering byemployees of the Company is an important part of the Foundation’s mission. Your Company believes that when employeescontribute to the community, it makes them feel good, which in turn helps in their productivity.
The Foundation has defined primary focus areas to include Health, Education, Community Development, Wildlife andHeritage Conservation.
During the year under report, the Foundations continued to create excitement among employees to participate in sociallyrelevant causes. With the cooperation of your Company’s employees, the Foundations have set up several well-definedprogrammes and activities for the promotion of Health, Education, Community Development, and Wildlife and HeritageConservation. These activities are carried out through projects undertaken by the Foundations with the support of theemployees and through the Government authorities, reputed social organisations, and institutions.
The total CSR contribution of INR 217,78 Million, which is greater than the 2% of the profits calculated as per the Act, wasspent on various CSR initiatives through the Foundation during the Financial Year 2024-25.
A detailed Report on CSR activities of your Company under the provisions of the Act during the Financial Year 2024-25 isannexed hereto as Annexure D.
A detailed Report on the activities of the Foundation forms part of this Report.
The Board of Directors of your Company has constituted a CSR Committee to help your Company frame, monitor, andexecute the Company’s CSR activities under its CSR scope. The Committee defines the parameters and observes them foreffective discharge of your Company’s social responsibility.
The Board of Directors of your Company has further approved the CSR Policy of your Company to provide a guideline for theCompany’s CSR activities.
The CSR Policy can be viewed on your Company’s website at https://www.persistent.com/investors/csr-at-persistent/
Your Company’s CSR Policy highlights that the need for contributing to the society is extensive and your Company can makea significant impact by staying focused on a few areas through its social initiatives. The constitution of the CSR Committee isprovided in the Report on Corporate Governance section, forming part of this Annual Report.
The Stakeholders Relationship Committee was constituted on October 4, 2007.
Your Company believes that in today’s day and age, the definition of stakeholders must be extended beyond whatis traditionally considered as stakeholders. Accordingly, your Company has decided to adopt a broader definition ofstakeholders to explicitly include society, customers, partners, our employees and their families, the Members, vendors andeven the environment.
Your Company also aims to provide more focused and detailed efforts towards Environment, Social, Governance (ESG)implementation. Considering the same, the Board, at its meeting held in January 2022, decided to assign the StakeholdersRelationship Committee the additional responsibility of overseeing the ESG monitoring-related work at the Company.Accordingly, the name of the Committee was amended to ‘Stakeholders Relationship and ESG Committee’.
A separate section on ESG at Persistent can be accessed at https://www.persistent.com/company-overview/environmental-social-and-governance/ and the ESG Report for FY 2024-25 can be accessed at update link to: https://www.persistent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/esg-sustainability-report-2025.pdf
As on March 31, 2025, the total institutional holding in your Company stood at 51.21% of the total share capital.
The details of the Dividend for the Financial Years 2024-25 and 2023-24 are as follows:
Financial Year 2024-25 Financial Year 2023-24
Type of Dividend
Interim
Final*
Final
Month of declaration / recommendation
Jan-25
Apr-25
Jan-24
Apr-24
Date of Payment
February 9, 2025
To be scheduledupon MembersApproval, if any
February 7, 2024
July 16, 2024
Amount of Dividend (In INR)
20 Per EquityShare of INR 5each
15* Per EquityShare of INR 5each
12 Per EquityShare of INR 10each
10 Per EquityShare of INR 5each
% of Dividend
400%
300%
120%
200%
Total Dividend (In INR Million)
3,117.00
2,337.75
2,461.60
1,540.50
Total Dividend Outflow for the year (In INR Million)
5,454.75
4,002.10
* The payment of the Final Dividend of INR 15 per Equity Share of INR 5 each is subject to the approval of the Members during the35th AGM of your Company. If approved at the AGM, the Dividend will be paid out of the profits of your Company for FY 2024-25.
Out of the interim dividend declared in January 2025, INR 11.54 Million remained unclaimed as of March 31, 2025.
The total unpaid dividend as on March 31, 2025 for the last 7 (Seven) years is INR 20.08 Million which is 0.12% of the totaldeclared dividend over these 7 (Seven) years.
The increase in the amount of unpaid dividend is primarily due to KYC non-completion by Members, which has resultedin keeping the dividends in abeyance by the Company. Your Company is taking due efforts to encourage all Members tocomplete their KYC in accordance with various circulars issued by the Statutory Authorities. The Company also processedunpaid dividends from the last 7 years on a voluntary basis in March 2025. This resulted in INR 0.8 Million being paid to pastand present Members.
Your Company has a Dividend Distribution Policy, which is available on the Company website at
https://www.persistent.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Dividend-Distribution-Policy.pdf As per the policy, the dividendpayout ratio shall be maintained up to 40% of the Consolidated Profit After Tax. Dividend Payout Ratio for this year, subject tomembers approving the dividend, is 39%.
Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2020 (the ‘Act’ for this section), dividend income is taxable in the hands of Members and theMembers are requested to refer to the Finance Act, 2020 and amendments thereof.
As per the Act, your Company is expected to deposit 10% of the dividend to the Income Tax Department as TDS onyour behalf. Your Company has appointed M/s. MUFG Intime India Private Limited (formerly known as Link Intime IndiaPrivate Limited) (‘MUFG Intime’) to manage the share and dividend management process. They have created a facilityfor online submission of Tax Exemption forms where the Members can submit their tax-exemption forms along with otherrequired documents.
The requisite form for claiming tax exemption can be downloaded from MUFG Intime’s website. The URL for the same isas under: https://web.in.mpms.mufg.com/client-downloads.html -> On this page, select the General tab. All the forms areavailable under the head “Form 15G / 15H / 10F”.
The aforementioned forms (duly completed and signed) are required to be uploaded on the URL mentioned below:https://web.in.mpms.mufa.com/formsrea/submission-of-form-15a-15h.html -> On this page, the user shall be prompted toselect / share the following information to register their request.
1. Select the company (Dropdown)
2. Folio / DP-Client ID
3. PAN
4. Financial year (Dropdown)
5. Form selection
a. Document attachment — 1 (PAN)
b. Document attachment — 2 (Forms)
c. Document attachment — 3 (Any other supporting document)
Please note that the documents (duly completed and signed) should be uploaded on the website of MUFG Intime in order toenable the Company to determine and deduct appropriate TDS / Withholding Tax.
Incomplete and / or unsigned forms and declarations will not be considered by the Company.
The Members may note that in case the tax on said interim / final dividend is deducted at a higher rate in absence of receiptof the aforementioned details / documents, the option is available to the Members to file the return of income as per theIncome Tax Act, 1961 and claim an appropriate refund, if eligible.
During the year under report, your Company has transferred unclaimed and unpaid dividend of INR 68,496 relating to theFinal Dividend 2016-17 and an amount of 147,504 relating to the Interim Dividend 2017-18 to the IEPF Authority. Further, 1,670corresponding Equity Shares on which the dividend was unclaimed for seven consecutive years have been transferred as perthe requirement of the IEPF Rules during FY 2024-25.
The Company made all due efforts to contact the Members with unclaimed / unpaid dividends through emails and lettersdispatched to registered addresses to enable them to claim the dividends that were liable to be transferred to IEPF.
Members are requested to update their Bank Account details, e-mail ID, Mobile Number, and KYC details with theirDepository Participants to receive all future communications and dividends, if any, declared by the Company inelectronic form.
The details are provided in the shareholder information section of this Annual Report and are also available on the website:https://www.persistent.com/investors/unclaimed-dividend/
The Board has appointed Mr. Amit Atre, Company Secretary, as the Nodal Officer to ensure compliance with the IEPF rules.His coordinates form part of the Report on Corporate Governance in this Annual Report.
ESG Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices are essential for companies to operate sustainably andresponsibly in today’s corporate environment. Your Company demonstrates its commitment to ESG through structuredgovernance and continuous improvement of its initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals and stakeholder interests.
• ESG Framework Overview: ESG framework includes Board oversight, management responsibility, and a dedicated ESGcouncil that collaborates across various functions to achieve ESG goals.
• Board of Directors Role: The Board drives long-term sustainability strategies, approves ESG initiatives, and overseesassociated risks to align with the company’s business objectives.
• Stakeholder Relationship and ESG Committee: This Board Committee plays a vital role in implementing ESG vision andinitiatives, meeting biannually to address ESG goals and climate-related risks.
• Leadership Commitment: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of ESG are responsible for implementing ESGpolicy, setting targets, and allocating resources for sustainability initiatives. The ESG Head collaborates with executiveleadership to integrate ESG principles into the organization’s strategy, operations, and culture.
• Compliance and Risk Management: The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) identifies ESG risks, ensuring they are integrated into theoverall Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework.
Since 2022, Persistent supports the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) on human rights, labour,environment and anti-corruption. Your Company is committed to making the UNGC principles part of the Company’sstrategy, culture and day-to-day operations. The ESG framework adopted by your Company includes the following:
• Environmental Sustainability: Use technology solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Diversity and Inclusion: Build an inclusive workplace and nurture diverse talent
• Social Responsibility: Commitment to positively impact society
• Corporate Governance: Good governance practices for responsible business and stakeholder value creation.
Environmental Sustainability: Addressing climate change and environmental sustainability is important, and your Companybelieves in working with all stakeholders in this journey. Your Company is firmly dedicated to lowering and minimising theenvironmental impact of our internal operations.
• Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and using energy from Renewable sources
• Improving the efficiency of energy, as well as water use and recycling
• Waste management that is sustainable and reduces waste to landfills
• Protecting biodiversity
Climate Action Goals: Your Company has taken short and long-term targets to reduce GHG emissions by aligning to theSustainable Development Goals (SDG) as follows:
• Achieve Carbon Neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 every year
• To source 100% of electricity from renewable energy for all owned facilities by FY 2026
• Achieve Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050
Through the adoption of clean technology solutions across the operations, your Company demonstrates a strong dedicationto reducing our environmental footprint and fostering a positive impact. By aligning the business strategies with sustainabilityinitiatives, the focus remains on shaping a brighter future for upcoming generations. Your Company has set targets andhas made commitments regarding water conservation, building resilience towards climate change, energy efficiency, andemissions reduction, and we are proud to report significant progress towards these goals.
Your Company believes that conservation of energy is essential and as a responsible corporate citizen, your Company mustencourage all employees, vendors and other stakeholders to act on ensuring reduced usage of energy on a perpetual basis.
Your Company has deployed various energy saving devices and systems, which help in conserving energy and has resultedin significant savings in energy costs. Your Company has made capital investments amounting to INR 74.32 Million during theFinancial Year 2024-25 to deploy energy saving devices.
Your Company has made the necessary disclosures in this Report in terms of Section 134(3) of the Act, read with Rule 8 of theCompanies (Accounts) Rules, 2014.
Your Company has a dedicated team across India under the ESG and EHS function. The group implements projects tocontinually enhance energy efficiency in our existing buildings, such as new technology retrofits, bringing in more efficientequipment, etc. On an annual basis, the project proposals are reviewed by the management, and thereafter, a dedicatedbudget is allotted for these projects. The learnings from these are utilised for efficient building architecture in new projects,thereby resulting in the lowest Energy Performance Index (EPIs).
Your Company is committed to its efforts to conserve energy and absorb technology in its daily operations. The particulars asprescribed under Section 134(3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014are provided in Annexure E which forms part of this report.
A separate Report on Corporate Governance with a detailed compliance report as stipulated under the Listing Regulationsand any other applicable law for the time being in force, forms an integral part of this Report.
A Compliance Certificate from the Practising Company Secretary regarding the compliance with the conditions of CorporateGovernance as stipulated in the Listing Regulations forms an integral part of this Annual Report.
The Report on Management Discussion and Analysis as stipulated under the Listing Regulations and other applicable lawsin force based on audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the Financial Year 2024-25 forms an integral part of thisAnnual Report.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) and the Reasonable Assurance Report, as stipulated underthe Listing Regulations and other applicable laws in force, describing the initiatives taken by the Management from anenvironmental, social, and governance perspective, forms an integral part of this Annual Report and is available athttps://www.persistent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/business-responsibilitv-and-sustainabilitv-report-2025.pdf
Report on Risk Management based on the risk management policy developed and implemented at your Company for theFinancial Year 2024-25 forms an integral part of this Annual Report.
The details of the vigil mechanism (whistleblower policy) are given in the Report on Corporate Governance forming part ofthis Annual Report. Your Company has shared the policy on the website at Whistle Blower Policy I Persistent Systems
Your Company encourages employees and others to raise concerns to the whistleblower helpline if they have any reason tobelieve that any employee, or any other stakeholder may have engaged in inappropriate behaviour, misconduct that includesviolations or potential violations of law, regulation, rule, or breaches of your Company’s policy, standards, procedure, or theCode of Conduct for Directors and Employees.
Your Company has established a 24/7 toll-free number in India and the Rest of the World to make it easy to report theirconcerns. The callers can record their complaints, which are received directly by the Whistleblower Administrator, who is theChairperson of the Audit Committee. This is an automated system that safeguards the caller’s identity, and anonymityis maintained.
Your Company prohibits retaliatory actions against anyone who raises concerns or questions in good faith or who participatesin a subsequent investigation of such concerns.
Your Company has an Anti-Harassment Policy that is consistent with the requirements of the Sexual Harassment of Women atWorkplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (the ‘Act’ for this section). All employees (permanent, contractual,temporary and trainees) as well as the external parties who work with the Company for the official purposes are coveredunder this policy.
Your Company has gone beyond the letter of the law and made this policy applicable to all employees, and not just femaleemployees, as stated in the law. Your Company follows this practice as part of equal employment opportunity, includinggender equality.
Your Company has constituted the Internal Complaints Committees (IC) across all Company locations in India and abroadto consider and resolve all sexual harassment complaints reported to this Committee. The constitution of the IC is as per theAct, and the Committee includes an external member with relevant experience at Indian locations. The Ethics Committeeat the global locations acts in the capacity of the Internal Complaints Committee where the local laws do not enforce theconstitution of such a Committee.
During the year under report, your Company received 4 (Four) complaints of sexual harassment under the Sexual Harassmentof Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Further, as of March 31, 2025, there is 1 (One)pending complaint of sexual harassment in your Company.
Your Company is compliant with the statutory provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) issues Secretarial Standards. Your Company complies with SecretarialStandards and guidelines issued by the ICSI to the extent applicable to the Company.
The details about the other ISO and Partnership certifications for technical processes and systems are provided the CorporateGovernance Report and form an integral part of this report.
Information Security
Your Company maintains a mature Information Security Management System with Policies, Processes and Controls to minimiseCyber Security Risks. The governance and management of security compliance and risk is reviewed periodically. Persistentdevelopment centres are certified under ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 27701, ISO 22301, and SOC 2 Type II.
Your Company is focused on cyber resilience and provides all the necessary budgets needed to build robust cyber resilience.Your Company’s Global IT and Information Security team has taken a holistic and comprehensive approach to address theneed to secure the employees’ laptops, the corporate network, and confidential data against inadvertent and maliciousattacks, including the customer-specific security requirements. Your Company’s cloud-first strategy is enabled by cloudsecurity measures spanning access management, cloud data security, ensuring privacy in the cloud, safeguarding cloudworkloads, effective monitoring and incident management of the cloud aligned to business-relevant outcomes.
Specific steps include allocation of secure laptops to every employee, installation of disk encryption, next-generation antivirussolution, enhanced data leakage prevention solutions, implementation of Multi Factor Authentication, Secure and governedinternet access, and Zero Trust Model to ensure cyber resiliency. The emailing solution is equipped with advanced anti¬phishing functionality, ensuring a secure communication channel through email.
Your Company has implemented a robust disaster recovery process with a well-articulated cyber resilience playbook.
The periodic Disaster Recovery drills ensure the availability of the critical services and the ability to recover businessoperations as per the defined process. Your Company has a steadfast focus on spreading information security awarenessthrough mandatory information security awareness trainings as part of the joining process. This is followed by a periodicrefresher session and using enterprise-wide communication and collaboration platforms to keep users updated on evolvingcybersecurity risks. The training effectiveness is validated through periodic phishing simulations.
Your Company believes that security is an ongoing activity. As the Company evolves and expands its business, all stakeholderscan rest assured that the Company will continue to improve its security posture to ensure continuous compliance.
During the year under Report, your Company restructured group entities as follows:
1. The Business Transfer Agreement has been executed for the transfer of the business of the UK Branch of the Company toPersistent Systems UK Limited effective from April 1, 2024.
2. Persistent India Foundation was incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 effective from May 1, 2024, asa Wholly Owned Subsidiary (‘WOS’) of the Company.
3. Software Company International, LLC, USA (Step Down Subsidiary) has been dissolved effective from June 27, 2024.
4. The Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai (‘NCLT’) has sanctioned the merger of M/s. Capiot SoftwarePrivate Limited (the Wholly Owned Subsidiary Transferor Company) into Persistent Systems Limited (the HoldingCompany Transferee Company) through absorption, as per its Order dated April 9, 2025. The Company received theOrder on April 11, 2025. Further, the Company filed the Certified True Copy of the said order dated April 21, 2025, with theRegistrar of Companies, Pune (RoC) on May 13, 2025, for updating their records. The financial impact of this merger willbe reflected in the Company’s financial statements for the period following its submission to the RoC.
5. The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting concluded on April 24, 2025 (IST), approved the proposal of
merger of M/s. Arrka Infosec Private Limited (WOS) into Persistent Systems Limited (the ‘Holding Company’), subject tothe receipt of necessary approvals in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 129(3) of the Act, a statement containing the salient features of financial statements ofthe Company’s subsidiaries in Form No. AOC-1 is attached to the financial statements of the Company.
Further, pursuant to the provisions of Section 136 of the Act, the financial statements of the Company, consolidated financialstatements along with relevant documents and separate audited financial statements in respect of subsidiaries, are availableon the Company’s website at https://www.persistent.com/investors/
The Policy for determining material subsidiaries of your Company is available on your Company’s website at https://www.persistent.com/investors/policv-on-material-subsidiarv/ According to the said Policy, Persistent Systems Inc., USA is thematerial subsidiary of your Company.
Persistent Systems Limited has a focused M&A program that is aimed at:
1. Acquiring differentiated technology capabilities in cloud, data and security.
2. Strengthening our domain expertise in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and Healthcare and Lifesciences(HLS) industry verticals and / or;
3. Expanding the Company’s customer base in Europe and delivery presence in Eastern Europe.
During the year ended March 31, 2025, your Company entered into definitive agreements to acquire:
a. Starfish Associates, LLC (‘Starfish’), a US-headquartered company that provides an automation platform to facilitateseamless connection across a myriad of business applications and communication systems. The acquisition builds on theCompany’s existing engineering capabilities in the Unified Communications and Contact Centre, expanding its strong AI-driven business transformation capabilities and expertise in driving operational excellence. The acquisition of Starfish wascompleted on August 1, 2024.
b. Arrka Infosec Private Limited (‘Arrka’), a Pune-based company renowned for its data privacy expertise, a Data PrivacyManagement platform and growing expertise in AI governance. This acquisition significantly advances the Company’sAI-led, platform-driven services approach and strengthens its ability to provide comprehensive offerings in digitalgovernance, including data privacy, AI governance, and cybersecurity, among others. With Arrka’s expertise, yourCompany will help clients accelerate their transformation journeys while ensuring ethical, responsible, and compliant AI.The acquisition of Arrka was completed on October 28, 2024.
c. SoHo Dragon group of companies (‘SoHo’), a group with full-service Software Application Development Companyspecializing in front office operations, corporate applications, hyper scaler technologies, data warehousing, and businessintelligence with entities in US, Lithuania & India. The acquisition of the select assets will help in consolidating therelationship with a strategic and large customer of your Company in the BFSI domain. The acquisition of select assets fromSoHo Dragon Inc. was completed on November 16, 2024, the acquisition of select assets from Soho Dragon LT, UAB wascompleted on March 13, 2025 and the acquisition of select assets from Soho Dragon Solutions India Private Limited wascompleted on April 22, 2025.
Your Company has adopted the hybrid working model. During the FY 2024-25, the total built-up capacity owned by yourCompany in India and abroad was 135,980 m2 which is adequate for 11,000 employees. In addition, your Company hires1,79,715 m2 of space across various locations in India and 11,899 m2 space outside India.
The details of owned facilities of your Company are as follows:
Location
Year of Acquisition/Completion
Total Built-up Area (m2)
Total Seating Capacity (Nos)
Pune
1. Bhageerath
2002
11,331
568
2. Aryabhata-Pingala
2007
33,300
2,615
3. Veda Complex, Hinjawadi
2012
45,825
3,246
4. Ramanujan, Hinjawadi
2023
14,021
1,150
5. Kapilvastu
1994
202
25
6. Panini
1998
926
100
Goa
Charak and Bhaskar
1997 and 2017,respectively
7,042
724
Nagpur
1. IT Tower
2003
3,707
265
2. Gargi and Maitreyi
2011
19,825
1,187
Grenoble, France
2000
929
50
137,108
9,930
1. Along with your Company owned premises, your Company also operates from leased and managed facilities in Australia,Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, UK and USA in an area of58,923 m2 adequate for 12,000 employees.
2. Your Company also owns two land parcels in Mihan SEZ, Nagpur and Hinjawadi.
In accordance with the Act, the annual return in the prescribed format (MGT-7) for the FY 2024-25 is available athttps://www.persistent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/persistent-annual-report-2025.pdf
Other Matters
Your Directors state that no disclosure or reporting is required in respect of the following items as there were no transactionson these items during the year under report:
1. Dr. Anand Deshpande, Chairman and Managing Director and Mr. Sunil Sapre, Executive Director (up to December 31,2024) of your Company did not receive any remuneration or commission from any of the subsidiaries.
2. Mr. Sandeep Kalra, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer received remuneration from Persistent Systems Inc.,USA in addition to remuneration received from your Company. The total remuneration is disclosed in the Report onCorporate Governance forming part of this report.
3. No significant or material orders were passed by the Regulators, Courts, or Tribunals impacting your Company’s goingconcern status and operations in the future.
4. There are no applications made or proceedings pending under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 as at theend of FY 2024-25, nor has the Company done any one-time settlement with any Bank or Financial Institution in Indiaor abroad.
Your Company received several prestigious awards and recognitions in various categories, such as(1) Technology, (2) Corporate, and (3) People. Brief details of these awards are available on your Company’s website atAwards and Recognitions I Persistent Systems Highlights of these are also available in the ‘Corporate Information’ section ofthis Annual Report.
Your Directors state that:
1. In preparation for the annual accounts, the applicable Accounting Standards have been followed, and there is no material departure;
2. Your Directors have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimatesthat are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of your Company as of March 31,2025, and of the profit of your Company for that year;
3. Your Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordancewith the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of your Company and for preventing anddetecting fraud and other irregularities, if any;
4. The annual accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis;
5. Your Directors had laid down internal financial controls to be followed by your Company and that such internal financialcontrols are adequate and were operating effectively;
6. Your Directors had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that suchsystems are adequate and operating effectively.
Looking ahead at the new year, ongoing macroeconomic challenges are creating uncertainties that are impacting virtuallyall enterprises in various vertical industries, especially those that rely on global supply chains and services. Nonetheless, yourCompany enters FY26 and the 35th year with confidence and optimism that the market-leading brand, unprecedented growthtrajectory, and unyielding commitment to client success will allow your Company to weather these challenges and maintainits uniquely differentiated positioning as the AI ecosystem orchestrator of choice.
Your Company’s Re(AI)magining the World mission will be key to its ongoing success and future growth as your Companycontinues to deliver AI, product engineering, and platform-based services to new and existing clients in verticals andspecialised sub-verticals. With AI investments anchoring our strategy, your Company remains focused on growth, financialdiscipline, and customer-centricity to power its journey towards its stated aspiration of reaching $2 Billion in annualisedrevenue in the next few years. As market and macroeconomic dynamics evolve, your Company will maintain a high level ofagility with a culture of operational efficiency and budgetary controls that engender strategic investments for new initiatives.
Global financial pressures are leading many companies to fundamentally rethink their business models, go-to-marketstrategies, and capital expenditures. Companies also continue to display a strong willingness to invest in technology,especially AI technologies and platforms, to unlock new growth opportunities, enable transformation, and drive value.
The market continues to be inundated with new AI providers and offerings, resulting in a more competitive market. This AIproliferation is causing enterprises to stretch decision-making cycles, focus on risk mitigation, and demand value-basedoutcomes for their AI investments. In addition, they are also reluctant to engage with providers with little or unprovenexperience with AI as they look to guarantee short- and long-term investment returns.
Your Company is well-positioned to capitalise in this environment, given its 35-year heritage, its proven data, cloud, and AIexpertise, and its unmatched reputation as a trusted provider that delivers tangible IT and business results. Your Company’sproprietary platform, SASVA, is revolutionising how clients think about AI-powered software development and how to enableAI agents for streamlined workflows. iAURA, the data management platform, allows enterprises to leverage AI to optimisedata models and accelerate decision-making. GenAI Hub allows companies to accelerate the creation of AI experiences atscale. Your Company’s offerings are continuously enhanced by its partnerships with all the major hyperscalers and innovativestart-ups, with whom your Company jointly develops new AI-enabled solutions. Your Company is confident that its approachstrongly positions itself as an innovative AI partner for clients looking for a provider with a proven track record of drivinggrowth and value.
As your Company advances along with its growth trajectory, it remains firmly committed to equipping its global workforceof more than 24,500 professionals with the skills and opportunities required to remain at the forefront of technologicalinnovation, enhancing the value your Company delivers to its clients. Your Company also continues to foster a diverse andinclusive organisational culture that prioritises personal development, continuous learning, and a deep sense of social andenvironmental responsibility. These commitments are integral to sustaining your Company’s long-term competitiveness anddriving stakeholder value.
As your Company concludes this chapter of its journey and prepare to navigate the opportunities and challenges that lieahead, your Company reffirms its steadfast commitment to its core values and to the pursuit of operational and strategicexcellence. Guided by a unified vision and an enduring focus on AI innovation, your Company is confident in its ability togenerate sustainable growth and deliver enduring value to its clients, partners, and stakeholders worldwide.
Your Board records the support and wise counsel received from the Government of India, particularly the Ministry ofElectronics and Information Technology, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerceand Industry, the Reserve Bank of India, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India throughout the financial year.
Your Board extends its sincere thanks to the officers and staff of the Software Technology Parks of India - Pune, Nagpur, Goa,Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Bengaluru, Noida, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, Visakhapatnam,Special Economic Zone - Telangana, SEEPZ Special Economic Zone - Mumbai, Cochin Special Economic Zone, Central Tax
and Customs Department, Department of Revenue, Income Tax Department, Department of Electronics, Director General ofForeign Trade, Ministry of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, Director of Industries, Inspector General of Registration,Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Goa Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board, Department of Shopsand Establishments, Department of Telecommunication, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Ministry Of Electronicsand Information Technology, Department of Commerce (SEZ Section), Regional Director of Western Region, Registrar ofCompanies, Maharashtra, Pune, Goods and Service Tax Department, Infotech Corporation of Goa Limited, Goa IndustrialDevelopment Corporation, Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd., National Stock Exchangeof India Limited, BSE Limited, Central Depository Services (India) Limited, National Securities Depository Limited, LocalMunicipal Corporations and Gram Panchayats where Company operates, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution CompanyLimited, Telangana (erstwhile Andhra Pradesh) State Electricity Board, Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation,Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, Karnataka Industrial Development Corporation, BSNL and InternetService Providers, District Administration and State Police departments, Export Promotion Councils, Maharashtra AirportDevelopment Corporation Limited, and Development Commissioner, MIHAN (SEZ).
Your Board also extends its sincere thanks to M/s. Walker Chandiok & Co LLP, Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditors; M/s.Joshi Apte & Co., Chartered Accountants, Tax Auditors; M/s. SVD & Associates, Company Secretaries, Secretarial Auditors,Trustees of Persistent Foundation and Directors of Persistent India Foundation, a wing of Ernst & Young LLP, providers ofCompliance Manager Tool and WyattPrism, ESG Consultants for their services to your Company.
Your Board also extends its thanks to Axis Bank, Banco Nacional - Costa Rica, Banco Nacionalde Mexico S. A., Bank of Baroda,Bank of India, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Barclays Bank, BNP Paribas, Canara Bank, Citibank NA, Deutsche Bank, First NationalBank, HDFC Bank, Hongkong, and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Silicon Valley Bank, Union Bank of India, Wells Fargo Bank,Zurcher Kantonal Bank, DBS Bank, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank Limited, Saraswat Co-operative Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank,OCBC Bank, PNC Bank and their officials for extending excellent support in all banking-related activities.
Your Board records its deep appreciation for the committed services of your Company’s employees and partners at all levels.
Your Board thanks Members for placing immense faith in them.
Your Board takes this opportunity to express its sincere appreciation for the contribution made by the employees at all levelsof your Company. Their hard work, solidarity, cooperation, and support made consistent growth possible.
For and on behalf of the Board of Directors
Chairman and Managing Director
Pune, June 6, 2025 DIN: 00005721