We have audited the accompanying financial statements of‘SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited’ (the ‘Company’),which comprise the Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2025, theStatement of Profit and Loss (including Other ComprehensiveIncome), the Statement of Changes in Equity and the Statementof Cash Flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financialstatements including a summary of material accounting policiesand other explanatory information (the ‘financial statements’).
In our opinion and to the best of our information and accordingto the explanations given to us, the aforesaid financialstatements give the information required by the CompaniesAct, 2013, as amended (the ‘Act’) in the manner so requiredand give a true and fair view in conformity with the IndianAccounting Standards (Ind AS) prescribed under section133 of the Act read with the Companies (Indian AccountingStandards) Rules, 2015, as amended, (‘Ind AS’) and accountingprinciples generally accepted in India, of the state of affairsof the Company as at March 31, 2025, its profit and othercomprehensive income), its changes in equity and its cashflows for the year ended on that date.
We conducted our audit of the financial statements in accordancewith the Standards on Auditing (‘SAs’) specified under section143(10) of the Act. Our responsibilities under those standardsare further described in the ‘Auditor’s responsibilities for theaudit of the financial statements’ section of our report. Weare independent of the Company in accordance with the Codeof Ethics issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants ofIndia (ICAI) together with the ethical requirements that arerelevant to our audit of the financial statements under theprovisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder, and wehave fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordancewith these requirements and the ICAI’s Code of Ethics. Webelieve that the audit evidence obtained by us is sufficientand appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on thefinancial statements.
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professionaljudgment, were of most significance in our audit of thefinancial statements of the current period. These matterswere addressed in the context of our audit of the financialstatements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon,and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. Foreach matter below, our description of how our audit addressedthe matter is provided in that context.
We have determined the matters described below to be the keyaudit matters to be communicated in our report.
Sr.
No.
Key Audit Matter
How the matter was addressed in the audit
1
Assessment of impairment loss allowance based onexpected credit loss (ECL) on Loans (Refer note - 37of the financial statements)
In accordance with Ind AS 109, the Company appliesexpected credit loss (ECL) model for measurement andrecognition of impairment loss on the financial assets.
For recognition of impairment loss on Loans tocustomers, where no significant increase in credit risk(SICR) has been observed, such assets are classified in“Stage 1" and a 12 months ECL is recognised. Loansthat are categorised into have a significant increase incredit risk are considered to “Stage 2" and those whichare in default or there exists objective evidence ofimpairment are considered to be in “Stage 3". LifetimeECL is recognised for stage 2 and stage 3 Loans. Atevery reporting date, the historical observed defaultrates are updated and changes in the forward-lookingestimates are analysed.
Our audit procedures relating to the expected credit losses(ECL) include the following, among others:
We obtained a comprehensive understanding of ECL model (asrevised during the year to comply with RBI requirements & tomatch with the changing economics dynamics) with the helpof presentations & active interaction with risk managementteam of the Company.
We examined the policies approved by the Board of Directorsof the Company. We also verified the methodology adopted forcomputation of ECL (‘ECL Model’) that meets the requirementsof policies approved by the Board of Directors, proceduresand controls for assessing and measuring the credit riskand that ECL Model itself and output of the ECL Model areconsistent with the documented ECL Model. We also verifiedthat the ECL Model and its output has the approval of auditcommittee of the Board of Directors.
Quantitative factors like days past due, behaviour ofthe customer, historical losses incurred on defaultsand macroeconomic data points identified by theManagement’s expert and qualitative factors like natureof the underlying loan, deterioration in credit qualitycorrelation of macro- economic variables to determineexpected losses, revision in the management overlayand related Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, tothe extent applicable, etc. have been taken into accountin the ECL computation.
Considering the inherent judgmental nature, thecomplexity of model involved, degree of estimateinvolved in the model and computation of impairmentloss allowance along with the significance of theamount and its impact on the financial statements ofthe Company, this area has been considered as keyaudit matter.
We examined compliance of the Company’s accounting
policies in relation to impairment allowance with Ind AS 109.
We also evaluated:
• the assumptions used in the calculation of ECL and itsvarious aspects such as determination of Probability ofDefault, Loss Given Default, Exposure at Default, Stagingof Loans, etc.;
• the completeness and accuracy of source data used bythe Management for ECL computation; and,
• ECL computations for their reasonableness. Portfoliocategorisation into appropriate stages (Stage 1, Stage 2and Stage 3) for purposes of measurement of ECL wasanalysed on the basis of their past-due status.
• The adequacy of presentation and disclosure in thefinancial statements with respect to expected creditlosses including the specific disclosure made withregards to revision in ECL model.
2
Performing an audit in an Automated environmentthat is driven by IT systems & applications
The business operates in an automated environmentand has a complex IT structure as significant number oftransactions are processed through its inter-dependentIT systems.
Appropriate IT general controls and IT applicationcontrols are required to ensure that such IT systemsprocess operations in an accurate, complete,effective, efficient, and consistent way for reliablefinancial reporting.
Due to pervasive use of IT systems, high level ofautomation and its impact on the financial reportingof the business we have considered ‘IT Systems andControls’ to be a key audit matter.
Our audit procedures with respect to this matter includedthe following:
Having obtained a comprehensive understanding of the ITsystems and the automated environment of the Company,identification of related checks and balances, informationsystems audit report submitted by an outside expert, reportsubmitted by internal audit cell on internal financial controlsas designed & operative in automated environment, weredesigned our audit procedures so as to align with theautomated process.
With respect to IT system, our focus includes User access andsecurity controls, network operations, automated calculations,and database management. In detail:
• Ensured that systems are developed, configured andimplemented to meet financial reporting objectives.
• Assessed User Access Management i.e., process ofidentifying, tracking, controlling and managing aspecified users’ access to an IT system.
• Covered logics & controls over reports used in businesswhich are system driven.
Where control deficiencies have been identified, we havetested compensating controls or performed alternative auditprocedures, wherever necessary.
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the otherinformation. The other information comprises the informationincluded in the Annual Report, but does not include thefinancial statements and auditor’s report thereon, The AnnualReport is expected to be made available to us after the date ofthis auditors’ report.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover theother information and we do not express any form of assuranceconclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, ourresponsibility is to read the other information and, in doingso, consider whether the other information is materiallyinconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledgeobtained during the course of our audit, or otherwise appearsto be materially misstated.
When we read the Annual Report, if we conclude that there is amaterial misstatement therein, we are required to communicatethe matter to those charged with governance.
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for thematters stated in section 134(5) of the Act with respect tothe preparation of these financial statements that give a trueand fair view of the financial position, financial performanceincluding other comprehensive income, changes in equity andcash flows of the company in accordance with the accountingprinciples generally accepted in India, including the IndianAccounting Standards (“Ind AS") notified under section 133 ofthe Act read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards)Rules, 2015, as amended from time to time. This responsibilityalso includes maintenance of adequate accounting records inaccordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguardingthe assets of the company and for preventing and detectingfrauds and other irregularities; selection and applicationof appropriate accounting policies; making judgments andestimates that are reasonable and prudent; and design,implementation and maintenance of adequate internalfinancial controls, that were operating effectively for ensuringthe accuracy and completeness of the accounting records,relevant to the preparation and presentation of the financialstatements that give a true and fair view and are free frommaterial misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the management andBoard of Directors is responsible for assessing the company’sability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable,
matters related to going concern and using the going concernbasis of accounting unless the board of directors either intendsto liquidate the company or to cease operations, or has norealistic alternative but to do so.
The Company’s Board of Directors is also responsible foroverseeing the company’s financial reporting process.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance aboutwhether the financial statements, as a whole, are free frommaterial misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and toissue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonableassurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guaranteethat an audit conducted in accordance with SAs will alwaysdetect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatementscan arise from fraud or error and are considered material if,individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably beexpected to influence the economic decisions of users takenon the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exerciseprofessional judgment and maintain professional skepticismthroughout the audit. We also:
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement ofthe financial statements, whether due to fraud or error,design and perform audit procedures responsive to thoserisks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient andappropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The riskof not detecting a material misstatement resulting fromfraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraudmay involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions,misrepresentations, or the override of internal control(s).
• Obtain an understanding of internal financial controlrelevant to the audit in order to design audit proceduresthat are appropriate in the circumstances. Under section143(3)(i) of the Act, we are also responsible for expressingour opinion on whether the company has adequateinternal financial controls with reference to financialstatements in place and the operating effectiveness ofsuch controls.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies usedand the reasonableness of accounting estimates andrelated disclosures made by the management.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use ofthe going concern basis of accounting and, based on theaudit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertaintyexists related to events or conditions that may cast
significant doubt on the company’s ability to continueas a going concern. If we conclude that a materialuncertainty exists, we are required to draw attentionin our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in thefinancial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate,to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on theaudit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’sreport. However, future events or conditions may causethe company to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and contentof the financial statements, including the disclosures, andwhether the financial statements represent the underlyingtransactions and events in a manner that achievesfair presentation.
Materiality is the magnitude of misstatements in the financialstatements that, individually or in aggregate, makes it probablethat the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeableuser of the financial statements may be influenced. We considerquantitative materiality and qualitative factors in (i) planningthe scope of our audit work and in evaluating the resultsof our work; and (ii) to evaluate the effect of any identifiedmisstatements in the financial statements.
We communicate with those charged with governanceregarding, among other matters, the planned scope andtiming of the audit and significant audit findings, includingany significant deficiencies in internal control that we identifyduring our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with astatement that we have complied with relevant ethicalrequirements regarding independence, and to communicatewith them all relationships and other matters that mayreasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and whereapplicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with those charged withgovernance, we determine those matters that were of mostsignificance in the audit of the financial statements of thecurrent period and are therefore the key audit matters. Wedescribe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law orregulation precludes public disclosure about the matter orwhen, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine thata matter should not be communicated in our report becausethe adverse consequences of doing so would reasonablybe expected to outweigh the public interest benefits ofsuch communication.
The Financial Statements include comparative financial figuresof the Company for the corresponding year ended 31st March,
2024 which has been audited by predecessor firms of jointstatutory auditors vide their audit report dated April 26 April,2024, in which the predecessor firms of joint statutory auditorshave expressed an unmodified opinion.
We have relied upon the said report for the purpose of ourreport on these financial statements. Our opinion is notmodified in respect of the above matter.
1. As required by the ‘Companies (Auditor’s Report) Order,2020’ (“the Order"), issued by the Central Governmentof India in terms of sub-section (11) of section 143 of theAct, we give in Annexure - ‘A’, a statement on the mattersspecified in paragraph 3 and 4 of the Order.
2. We also enclose our report in terms of section 143(5)of the Act, on the basis of such checks of the books andrecords of the Company as we considered appropriateand according to the information and explanations givento us by the management, in Annexure - ‘B’, on thedirections and sub-directions issued by Comptroller andAuditor General of India.
3. As required by section 143(3) of the Act, we report that:
a. we have sought and obtained all the information andexplanations which to the best of our knowledge andbelief were necessary for the purposes of our audit;
b. in our opinion, proper books of account, as requiredby law, have been kept by the company so far as itappears from our examination of those books;
c. the balance sheet, the statement of profit andloss (including other comprehensive income), thestatement of changes in equity and the statementof cash flows dealt with by this the report are inagreement with the books of account;
d. in our opinion, the aforesaid financial statementscomply with the Indian Accounting Standards (“IndAS") notified under section 133 of the Act read withthe Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules,2015, as amended from time to time;
e. on the basis of the written representations receivedfrom the directors as at March 31, 2025 and takenon record by the board of directors, none of thedirectors are disqualified as at March 31,2025 frombeing appointed as a director, in terms of section164(2) of the Act;
f. with respect to the adequacy of the internal financialcontrols with reference to financial statementsof the company and the operating effectivenessof such controls, refer to our separate report inAnnexure - ‘C’;
g. with respect to the other matters to be includedin the Auditor’s Report in accordance with therequirements of section 197(16) of the Act, asamended, in our opinion and to the best of ourinformation and according to the explanationsgiven to us, the remuneration paid/ provided bythe Company to its directors during the year is inaccordance with the provisions of section 197 ofthe Act;
h. with respect to the other matters to be included inthe Auditor’s Report in accordance with Rule 11 ofthe Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014,as amended, in our opinion and to the best of ourinformation and according to the explanations givento us:
i. The Company has disclosed the impact ofpending litigations on its financial positionin its financial statements in note 44 to itsfinancial statements;
ii. The Company has not entered into anylong-term contracts including derivativecontracts for which there were any materialforeseeable losses;
iii. There were no amounts which were requiredto be transferred to the Investor Education andProtection Fund by the Company;
iv. (a) The Management has represented
that, to the best of its knowledge andbelief as disclosed in note no. 8 to thefinancials statements, no funds (whichare material either individually or in theaggregate) have been advanced or loanedor invested (either from borrowed fundsor share premium or any other sourcesor kind of funds) by the Company to orin any other person or entity, includingforeign entity (“Intermediaries"), withthe understanding, whether recorded inwriting or otherwise, that the Intermediaryshall, whether, directly or indirectly lendor invest in other persons or entitiesidentified in any manner whatsoever byor on behalf of the Company (“Ultimate
Beneficiaries") or provide any guarantee,security or the like on behalf of theUltimate Beneficiaries;
(b) The Management has represented, that,to the best of its knowledge and belief asdisclosed in note no. 8 to the financialsstatements, no funds (which are materialeither individually or in aggregate) havebeen received by the Company fromany person or entity, including foreignentity (“Funding Parties"),with theunderstanding, whether recorded inwriting or otherwise, that the Companyshall, whether, directly or indirectly, lendor invest in other persons or entitiesidentified in any manner whatsoever by oron behalf of the Funding Party (“UltimateBeneficiaries") or provide any guarantee,security or the like on behalf of theUltimate Beneficiaries; and
(c) Based on the audit procedures thathave been considered reasonable andappropriate in the circumstances, nothinghas come to our notice that has caused usto believe that the representations undersub-clause (i) and (ii) of Rule 11(e) asprovided under (a) and (b) above, containany material misstatement.
v. During the year the Company has declared andpaid interim dividend, which is in accordancewith section 123 of the Act.
vi. Based on our examination, which includedtest checks, and in accordance with therequirements of Implementation Guide onReporting on Audited Trail under Rule 11(g)of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules2014, except for our comments below, theCompany has used accounting softwaresfor maintaining its books of account for thefinancial year ended March 31, 2025 whichhave a feature of recording audit trail (edit log)facility and the same has operated throughoutthe year for all relevant transactions recordedin the respective softwares. Further, duringthe course of our audit we did not comeacross any instance of the audit trail featurebeing tampered with. The audit Trail has beenpreserved by the Company as per statutoryrequirements for record retention.
i n respect of accounting software operated by a third party service provider and used for payroll and allied functions of theCompany, the feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility was enabled as confirmed by the consultants of the service provider.However, we are unable to independently verify and confirm the same. Also we are not in a position to confirm whether the audittrail feature in the accounting software operated by third party service provider has been tampered with and preserved as perstatutory requirements for record retention.
For V. K. Dhingra & Co. For S. P. Chopra & Co.,
Chartered Accountants Chartered Accountants
Firm Regd. No. 000250N Firm Regd. No. 000346N
Vipul Girotra Ankur Goyal
Partner Partner
Membership No. 084312 Membership No. 099143
UDIN:25084312BMOVEL3145 UDIN:25099143BMKOCT2022
Place: Gurugram Place: Gurugram
Date: April 24, 2025 Date: April 24, 2025