In accordance with the provisions of the Section 149(6) of theAct and Regulation 16(1)(b) & 25 of SEBI (LODR) Regulations,2015, the Company has received declarations from all theIndependent Directors of the Company confirming that theymeet the criteria of independence for Independent Directors.
The Board affirms that the Independent Directors fulfill theaforesaid criteria and possess requisite integrity, qualifications,proficiency, experience, expertise and are independent ofthe management.
The names of all the Independent Directors of the Companyhave been included in the Independent Director’s databankmaintained by Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (“IICA”). Noneof the Directors have any pecuniary relationship or transactionswith the Company.
The Board of Directors hereby affirms that none of its membersare disqualified from being appointed as Directors in accordancewith the provisions of Section 164 of the Act. Further, no Directorhas been debarred from holding the office of Directors by virtueof any SEBI order or any other such authority. None of theDirectors of the Company are related to each other.
In support of the above, a certificate from a Company Secretaryin practice has been obtained confirming that none of theDirectors on the Board of the Company have been debarred ordisqualified from being appointed or continuing as Directors ofCompany by SEBI / MCA or any such statutory authority. Thesame forms part of this Annual Report as ‘Annexure-1’.
The Managing Director and CEO of the Company has notreceived any commission from its Subsidiary Company.
The Company ensures compliance with Corporate Governancebest practices by convening a minimum of 4 (Four) Boardmeetings annually, with 1 (One) meeting held in each quarter.The schedule for these meetings is determined well in advance,following due consultation and concurrence of all Directors.
Decisions requiring immediate attention and matters of urgency,approved via circular resolutions, are subsequently presented toand duly noted at the next scheduled Board meeting to ensuretransparency and accountability in governance.
During the Financial Year under review, the Board convenedand conducted 7 (seven) meetings. The attendance details of
individual Directors at these meetings are comprehensivelydocumented in the Corporate Governance Report and thereforeare not reiterated here to prevent redundancy in reporting.
The Board of Directors plays a crucial role in propelling successof the Company and Board Evaluation is the essential processthat allows the Board to recognize and tackle challenges relatedto Corporate Governance, thereby increasing the overall valueof the organization. A thorough and effective Board Evaluationplays a crucial role in enhancing performance at both theorganizational board level and individual level.
In accordance with the criteria set forth in the Act and the SEBI(LODR) Regulations 2015, the Board of Directors has conductedan annual assessment of its performance, along with that of itsCommittees and Individual Directors. The Board, in consultationwith its Nomination and Remuneration Committee, hasformulated a framework containing, inter-alia, the criteria forperformance evaluation of the entire Board of the Company, itsCommittees and Individual Directors, including IndependentDirectors, which is in compliance with the applicable provisionsof the Act and the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
Further, the Board oversees, evaluates, and revises theframework in collaboration with the Nomination andRemuneration Committee, as necessary and in response to newcompliance obligations.
The Board Evaluation process is carried out through a web basedplatform called ‘Goveva’, which streamlines the process, boostsoperational efficiency and automates report generation.
The comprehensive evaluation process for the Board, itsCommittees, and individual Directors, including IndependentDirectors, is outlined in the Corporate Governance Report,which is the part of this Report.
During the Financial Year under review, a seperate meeting ofIndependent Directors was convened on March 05, 2025 instrict adherence to regulatory requirements. This meeting washeld without the participation of Non-Independent Directorsor members of the Company’s Management, thereby ensuringan environment conducive to independent deliberationand oversight.
The Independent Directors, in the course of this meeting,reviewed and discussed various matters arising fromCommittee meetings and Board deliberations. Their discussionsencompassed, inter alia, the assessment of the quality,adequacy, and timelines of information flow between theCompany’s Management and the Board, ensuring that the Boardis equipped with all necessary data and insights to effectivelydischarge its fiduciary and governance responsibilities.
In our dedication to uphold strong governance practices,your Company has in place a system of conducting thefamiliarization programmes for Independent Directors in view ofadherence with the expected obligations and responsibilities ofIndependent Directors as prescribed under the Regulation 25(7)of the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015. As per the Programme,Independent Directors are acquainted with their roles, rights,responsibilities, and the nature and business model of theCompany upon their induction.
The Programme is designed to provide a conceptual frameworkaligned with contemporary expectations, mandating thatIndependent Directors comply with a code of ethics and integrityto fulfil their responsibilities in a professional and trustworthymanner, thereby fostering confidence within the investmentcommunity. The objective of this program is to educateIndependent Directors about their rights and obligations, aswell as to familiarize them with the regulatory landscape andthe business model under which the Company operates.
The induction and continuous training programs empower theBoard, including Independent Directors to make well-informedand deliberate decisions that align with the best interests of theCompany’s stakeholders.
The specifics of the Familiarization Programme have beenhosted on the Company’s website and can be accessed athttps://www.aavas.in/codes-and-policies.
In pursuit of building a capable and visionary leadership team,the Company has laid down a comprehensive Nomination andRemuneration Policy for the selection, compensation and,governance of its Directors, Key Managerial Personnel (“KMP”),and Senior Managerial Personnel(“SMP”). This Policy emphasizesethical conduct, professional merit, and organizational fit,ensuring that individuals appointed to critical roles bringvalue through their competence and insight. The policy alsopromotes transparency in the nomination process, reinforcingthe Company’s commitment to responsible leadership.
The Policy has been formulated in accordance with the Section178 of the Act, provisions of Regulation 19 of SEBI (LODR)Regulations, 2015 and Guidelines on Compensation of KeyManagerial Personnel and Senior Management in NBFCs issuedby RBI vide circular dated RBI/2022-23/36 DOR.GOV.REC.No.29/18.10.002/2022-23 on April 29, 2022 (“RBI Guidelines”),as amended from time to time.
The Policy is available on the website of the Company and canbe accessed at https://www.aavas.in/codes-and-policies andall the details of remuneration paid to the Directors is mentionedin Annual Return in form MGT-7, available on Company’swebsite and can be accessed at https://www.aavas.in/investor-relations/annual-reports.
In accordance with statutory requirements, the Company has following 9 (Nine) Board level Committees, these Committeeshave been constituted to ensure effective oversight, strategic decision-making, and regulatory compliance, in alignment with theprovisions of applicable laws and statutes:
Sr. No.
Committee Name
Brief Purpose
1
Audit Committee (“AC”)
Oversees the Company's financial reporting and internal controls.
2
Nomination & Remuneration Committee(“NRC”)
Responsible for identifying and nominating new Board members, KMPs & SMPs andoverseeing the Board's governance practices.
3
Stakeholders Relationship Committee (“SRC”)
Ensuring good corporate governance and maintaining a positive relationship withstakeholders.
4
Corporate Social Responsibility & EnvironmentSocial Governance Committee (“CSR & ESG”)
Integrate economic and social objectives, contributing to sustainable growth and apositive social impact and ESG Compliance includes sustainable development &long-term value creation.
5
Risk Management Committee (“RMC”)
Assesses and manages Company's risks.
6
Asset Liability Management Committee(“ALCO”)
To oversee the management of assets and liabilities to achieve profitability andfinancial stability.
7
Information Technology (“IT”) StrategyCommittee
To ensure that IT investments and projects support the organization’s objectives,considering both risks and resources and oversees digital transformation and ITstrategies.
8
Customer Service & Grievance RedressalCommittee (“CS&GR”)
Handles customer grievances and service improvements.
9
Executive Committee (“EC”)
Responsible for taking decision related to borrowing, Investments, operational &strategic decisions.
During the Financial Year under review, the Board accepted all recommendations made by the above Committees.
The details with respect to the composition, terms of reference,number of Meetings held, Committees as on March 31,2025 aregiven in the Report on Corporate Governance, which forms partof this Annual Report as ‘Annexure-2’.
Employee Stock Option Plan serve as a strategic instrumentto attract, retain and reward talented employees. Beyondfostering motivation and encouraging long-term commitment,It align employees interest with the Company’s objectives,thereby enhancing a sense of belonging and driving sustainedorganizational success.
During the Financial Year under review, the Company madegrant aggregating to 89,500 options on October 15, 2024 underESOP-2016-I (e).
During the Financial Year under review, the Company made grantaggregating to 1,22,139 options on October 15, 2024, 5,256options on October 18, 2024 and 23,904 options on December12, 2024 under the PSOP-2023.
The Company believes that equity-based compensationschemes/plans are an effective tool to reward the talentworking with the Company for delivering long-term sustainableperformance and creation of stakeholder value. With a viewto drive long term performance, retain talent and attract newtalent, the Company formulated and implemented ‘AavasFinanciers Limited - Performance Stock Option Plan- 2024’(“PSOP-2024”) as a key component in its reward structure tothe eligible employees of the Company. The PSOP-2024 wasapproved by the Shareholders in Annual General Meeting heldon August 07, 2024.
During the Financial Year under review, the Company madegrant aggregating to 4,00,000 options on January 30, 2025 underthe PSOP 2024.
Following are the existing ESOP and PSOP plans of the Company:
Particulars
ESOP 2016-I
ESOP-2019
ESOP-2020
ESOP-2021
ESOP-2022
PSOP-2023
PSOP-2024
1.
Date of
Shareholders’
approval
The Plan wasapprovedby the
Shareholdersof theCompanyby a SpecialResolutionpassed onFebruary 23,2017.
Shareholdersof theCompanyby a SpecialResolutionpassed onAugust 01,2019.
Shareholdersof theCompanyby a SpecialResolutionpassed on July22, 2020.
Shareholdersof theCompanyby a SpecialResolutionpassed onAugust 10,2021.
Shareholdersof theCompanyby a SpecialResolutionpassed on July21,2022.
The plan wasapprovedby the
Shareholdersof theCompanyby a SpecialResolutionpassed onNovember 06,2023.
Shareholdersof theCompanyby a SpecialResolutionpassed onAugust 07,2024.
Authorization
The Schemes empowers the Board and Nomination & Remuneration Committee to execute the Scheme.
Variation(if any)
During the Financial Year under review, there have been no changes in the Schemes
It is confirmed that all the ESOP & PSOP Schemes of theCompany are in compliance with the provisions of SEBI (ShareBased Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021(“SEBI SBEB and Sweat Equity Regulations”) as amended fromtime to time.
The Nomination & Remuneration Committee administers andmonitors the ESOP & PSOP Schemes in compliance with theAct, SEBI SBEB and Sweat Equity Regulations, 2021 and SEBI(LODR) Regulations, 2015.
The Secretarial Auditors of the Company has given a Certificate,confirming that the above ESOP & PSOP Schemes have beenimplemented in accordance with the SEBI SBEB and SweatEquity Regulations, 2021 as amended from time to time. SuchESOP & PSOP Schemes will be available for the inspection ofthe Members of the Company.
The applicable disclosures as stipulated under Regulation 14 ofSEBI SBEB and Sweat Equity Regulations, 2021, with regard toESOP & PSOP Plan of the Company are available on the websiteof the Company at https://www.aavas.in/investor-relations/annual-reports.
Statutory Auditors and Auditors’ Report
In terms of provisions of Section 139 of the Act, read withthe Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 andRBI Guidelines for appointment of Statutory Auditor(s),M/s. M S K A & Associates Chartered Accountants (FirmRegistration No. 105047W) and M/s. Borkar & Muzumdar,Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No. 101569W) wereappointed as the Joint Statutory Auditors of the Company by themembers of the Company for a period of 3 (Three) consecutive
years in the 14th AGM held on August 07, 2024 effective from theconclusion of 14th AGM until the conclusion of 17th AGM.
The Audit Report given by the Joint Statutory Auditors on thefinancial statements of the Company is part of this AnnualReport. There has been no qualification, reservation, adverseremark or disclaimer given by the Auditors in their Report.
The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors also took noteof the eligibility certificate received from both the audit firmsthat they are not disqualified and are eligible to hold the office asAuditors of the Company. Further, during the year under review,the Auditors have not reported any fraud under Section 143(12)of the Companies Act, 2013.
M/s. Chandrasekaran Associates, Company Secretaries (FirmRegistration No. P1988DE002500), have carried out SecretarialAudit of the Company for the Financial Year 2024-25 inaccordance with the provisions of Section 204 of the Act readwith the rules made thereunder.
In accordance with provisions of Sub-section (1) of Section 204of the Act, the Secretarial Audit Report in form MR-3, is furnishedas 'Annexure-3', which forms part of this Annual Report.
The Report of Secretarial Auditors is self-explanatory and therehas been no observations or qualifications or adverse remarksin their Report.
Furthermore, M/s. Chandrasekaran Associates, CompanySecretaries has issued an Annual Secretarial ComplianceReport for the Financial Year 2024-2025 in compliance withRegulation 24A of SEBI (LODR) Regulation, 2015 which formspart of this report as ‘Annexure-4’ and is also submitted to theStock Exchanges. There are no observations, or qualificationsor adverse remarks in their Report.
Pursuant to the amendments made in SEBI Regulationsi.e., SEBI (Listing Obligations & Disclosure Requirements)(Third Amendment) Regulations, 2024 and pursuant to SEBICircular No. SEBI/HO/CFD/CFD-PoD-2/CIR/P/2024/185 datedDecember 31, 2024, the Company shall appoint SecretarialAuditor for a term of 5 years (the earlier term served shall notbe considered for this term) with recommendation of Board andShareholders approval in its Annual General Meeting.
Consequently, in accordance with, Section 204 of the Act,the Board of Directors, has recommended the appointmentof M/s. Chandrasekaran Associates, (Firm Registration No.P1988DE002500) Company Secretaries as Secretarial Auditorsof the Company for a period of 5 (Five) consecutive Yearseffective from FY 2025-26 upto FY 2029-30, to the Shareholdersof the Company for their approval.
The Company has obtained consent and eligibility certificatefrom the above audit firm under applicable rules and laws thatthey are not disqualified and are eligible to hold the office asSecretarial Auditors of the Company, if appointed.
The landscape around information systems has beenchanging, therefore an IS audit focuses on the governance andmanagement aspects of technology and cybersecurity as muchas it does on specific focus areas of the audit.
The Company has in place an IS Audit Policy which is cognizantof business imperatives and is aligned with the aspirations of theorganization, including being agile and innovative and adoptingtechnologies at a rapid pace. Our Head of Internal Audit (“HIA”)is accountable to the Audit Committee and Management inproviding assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness ofthe Company’s risk management, control, and governance ofinformation system processes used for controlling its activitiesand managing its significant risks and also report material fraudsand their investigations and corrective actions.
The Company has in place Risk Based Internal Audit Framework("RBIA") in compliance with directive issued by Reserve Bankof India. The Company has developed an in-house audit teamand appointed HIA to oversee the audit of functional areasand operations.
The Internal Audit department is headed by the HIA who reportsdirectly to the Audit Committee of the Board. The primaryresponsibility of the HIA is to effectively manage the InternalAudit department and to ensure that it adds value to the entityand its strategic objectives by strengthening risk controls,enhancing operational efficiencies, and ensuring governancecompliance. The RBIA framework effectively ensures thatinternal audit coverage is commensurate with the nature ofcomplexity of business operations on an ongoing basis. Itencompasses coverage of business and support functions,technology and regulatory aspects as well as branch audits.HIA ensures compliance with the internal audit principlesand standards and the independence of the Internal Auditdepartment, its audit staff and evaluating its performanceagainst key performance indicators.
The Audit Committee performs periodic reviews and evaluatesadequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internalcontrol environment, ensuring the timely implementation ofaudit recommendations to enhance operational integrity andregulatory compliance.
The Company’s internal financial control is a process designedto provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability offinancial reporting and the preparation of financial statementsin accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.The Company’s internal financial control framework includesthose policies and procedures aimed at:
• Ensuring the maintenance of accurate financial records;
• Providing reasonable assurance that financial transactionsare recorded appropriately for the preparation offinancial statements;
• Establishing mechanisms for the timely prevention anddetection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposalof Company assets that may have a material impact onfinancial statements.
There were no significant or material orders passed by theregulators or courts or tribunals against the Company duringthe Financial Year 2024-2025.
During the year following material changes/events haveoccurred:
During the year under review, your Company entered intoseparate share sale agreements (collectively, “SPAs”) withAquilo House Pte. Ltd. (“Purchaser”) and each of Lake DistrictHoldings Limited, Partners Group ESCL Limited and PartnersGroup Private Equity (Master Fund), LLC, who were members ofthe promoter/ promoter group of the Company till June 30, 2025(collectively, “Sellers”). Pursuant to the SPAs, the Purchaseragreed to acquire in aggregate 2,09,49,112 equity shares ofthe Company from the Sellers constituting 26.47% of the paid-up share capital of the Company and control of the Companysubject to the terms and conditions set out in the SPAs.
The Purchaser is a Company incorporated under the laws ofSingapore and belonging to the CVC Network. The CVC Networkis a global alternative investment manager focused on privateequity, credit, secondaries and infrastructure, consisting of CVCCapital Partners PLC (a public limited Company whose sharesare listed and admitted to trading on the Euronext AmsterdamStock Exchange) and each of its subsidiaries, from time totime. The execution of the SPAs triggered an obligation of thePurchaser to make an open offer to the public shareholders ofthe Company in accordance with the Securities and ExchangeBoard of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers)Regulations, 2011. The Purchaser acquired 1,78,08,116 equityshares of the Company aggregating to 22.50% of paid-up share
capital of the Company pursuant to the open offer from thepublic shareholders.
In accordance with the terms of the SPAs, on June 30, 2025 (the“Closing Date”), Purchaser has acquired 2,09,49,112 equityshares constituting 26.47% of the paid-up share capital ofthe Company and on and from the Closing Date (i) Purchaserhas acquired control of the Company and is categorized as a‘promoter’ of the Company; and (ii) the erstwhile promotersand members of the promoter group of the Company hold NILshares of the Company and have ceased to be in control of theCompany, and stand reclassified as public shareholders of theCompany with effect from June 30, 2025.
Currently, Purchaser holds 3,87,57,228 equity shares of thecompany, representing 48.96 % of the paid-up share capital ofthe Company.
Further, there are no material changes and commitmentsaffecting the financial positions of the Company, which haveoccurred after March 31,2025, till the date of this report.
The Company being an NBFC-HFC is not required to maintaincost records as per sub-section (1) of Section 148 of theCompanies Act 2013.
Your Company has always been at the forefront of technologyinnovations and effectively leveraging technology to enhanceefficiency of the teams, managing risks, optimizing cost andprovide superior experience to our customers.
The Company is working towards building a robust and scalabletechnology architecture in line with the charted transformationroadmap to make the Company future ready. Your Company hasmade a significant progress on this roadmap by successfullycompleting transformation of all key business applications.
The Company has already adopted a modern and innovativecloud-native application stack for loan origination and customerservice using Salesforce and Mulesoft platforms which provide360-degree visibility for the entire customer life cycle.
The Company has adopted ORACLE Fusion ERP System foraccounting and financial reporting.
During Financial Year, the Company has successfully completedthe migration of Loan Management System to ORACLE FlexcubeCore Banking Application and also automated the TreasuryOperations using Beacon Treasury Management System.
By utilising multiple India stack based fintech integrations andadvance analytics capabilities, we have significantly optimisedour processes to bring in efficiency and agility at all levels. TheCompany has created a technology stack to integrate withdigital platforms and our digital partnerships with Central Govt’s
Common Service Centres (CSC), Rajasthan Govt’s eMitra Kiosksand India Post Payment Bank are testament to the Company’scommitment to become a partner in the last mile financialinclusion mission. The Company is actively looking forward tobuild and scale such partnerships in future.
The Company has upgraded the information security systemswith modern and robust security solutions in all major domainsincluding - data centre, endpoints, applications, network,etc. The Company performs continuous training / awarenessprograms for our teams and customers on emerging cyberthreats and defence strategies. The Company performs periodicassessments of security, process controls and businesscontinuity readiness through various layers of internal teams,service providers and auditors.
Your Company has always been committed to nurturing asupportive, inclusive and dynamic workplace where eachteam member feels valued and motivated. Our comprehensiveHR initiatives are designed to enhance employee well-being,cultivate professional growth, and build a strong sense ofcommunity. By investing in our people, we not only driveindividual success and well-being, but also propel ourorganisation towards greater achievements. Its vision of beinga leader and a role model in a broad based and integratedfinancial services business and a culture that is purpose drivengives meaning to our people. As we reflect on the past FinancialYear, 2025, it is evident that our success is intrinsically linked tothe quality and competence of our human capital.
Your Company has continued to built upon the strongfoundation established in previous years by implementingstrategic initiatives designed to enhance the well-being, fostercareer growth and advance professional development of ouremployees. Among these initiatives, we have placed a particularemphasis on promoting the holistic well-being of our femalestaff and strengthening the leadership capabilities of our seniormanagement team.
Recognizing the importance of a performance-driven culture,the Company introduced a performance-based equity schemeto instill a sense of ownership and accountability whileincentivizing excellence. This initiative reflects our dedicationto align individual contributions with organizational success,ensuring that employees are rewarded for their commitmentand achievements.
Furthermore, we continue to invest in leadership developmentprograms, mentorship opportunities, and skill enhancementinitiatives to empower our workforce and equip them with thetools necessary to excel in an evolving business landscape.
As of March 31,2025, our permanent employees count stoodat 7,233, reflecting our growth and unwavering commitment tofostering a conducive and performance-driven organizationalenvironment. In the future, your Company is committed to fosteran improved workplace that nurtures professional developmentand operational excellence. Together, we will persist in ourpursuit of excellence, promote sustainable growth and createlasting value for all our stakeholders.
Effective risk management is a crucial aspect of the Company’soperations due to the inherent nature of its business.Acknowledging this, a series of internal policies have beenestablished to strengthen the resilience of business operations.
Your Company priorities risk management by establishinga specialized sub-committee of executives, along with theRisk Management Committee of the Board, to supervise theprocess. This not only adheres to Regulation 21 of the SEBI(LODR) Regulations, 2015, but also guarantees conformitywith RBI guidelines. The establishment of such a committeefosters a strong risk culture and governance framework withinthe organization, thereby enhancing its overall sustainabilityand success.
The Risk Management Committee convenes at least biannually,and additionally as required by the Board or Chairperson,to maintain continuous oversight of the Company’s riskenvironment. By implementing suitable methodologies,processes and systems, the Committee is instrumental inmonitoring and assessing the risks related to the business.Furthermore, the supervision of the Risk ManagementPolicy’s execution and the evaluation of the adequacy of riskmanagement systems demonstrate a proactive stance towardsrisk management within the Company.
The Company has established comprehensive RiskManagement Policies, which include Risk ManagementPolicy, an IT Risk Management Policy, and an Internal CapitalAdequacy Assessment Processes (“ICAAP”) policy, along withan Early Warning Signal (“EWS”) framework that adheres toRBI guidelines.
Identifying and monitoring significant risks such as Credit Risk,ALM Risk, Concentration Risk, Interest Rate Risk, ReputationRisk, Cybersecurity Risk, Fraud Risk, Business Risk, ExposureRisk, Competition Risk and Regulatory Risk are essential forpreserving the Company’s stability and resilience. These risksare reported to the Risk Management Committee quarterly,ensuring transparency and proactive risk management.
Additionally, the application of institutional intelligencein underwriting methodology, carried out by a skilled andexperienced team, including Chartered Accountants, signifiesa strong approach to risk assessment within the Company.
Moreover, the presence of dedicated vendors and professionallyqualified in-house teams to manage legal, technical andoperational risks further strengthens the Company’s riskmanagement capabilities.
In any organization, a secure and confidential channel forreporting concerns related to ethical conduct is essential formaintaining accountability and integrity. Such a mechanismempowers individuals to raise issues without fear, fosteringa culture of transparency and trust within the organization.Accordingly, your Company has in place a Whistle Blower Policyencompassing vigil mechanism pursuant to the requirements ofSection 177(9) and (10) of the Act and Regulation 22 of the SEBI(LODR) Regulations, 2015, to report to the management genuineconcerns or grievances about unethical behavior, actual orsuspected fraud or violation of the Company’s Code of Conduct.
With the core aim to achieve the highest standards of ethical,moral and legal conduct of business operations and to nurturethese standards, the Company encourages its employees whohave concerns about suspected misconduct to come forwardand express their concerns without fear of punishment orunfair treatment.
The mechanism provides a secure channel to the employeesand Directors for adequate safeguards against victimizationof employees and Directors who use such mechanism andmakes provision for direct access to the Chairperson of theAudit Committee in exceptional cases, ensuring transparencyand accountability in addressing whistleblower concerns. Thereare no restrictions for accessing the Audit Committee for any ofthe Company’s employees.
In order to safeguard the fairness of the process, the identityof the Whistle Blower is kept confidential to prevent anydiscriminatory actions against him/her.
The whistle blower policy is placed on the website of theCompany and can be accessed at https://www.aavas.in/codes-and-policies.
DISCLOSURES UNDER SEXUAL HARASSMENT OFWOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION& REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013
Your Company is committed to foster a safe, respectful andinclusive workplace where every individual is empoweredto work without fear, bias or harassment including sexualharassment. Primarily, we ensure a safe and equitable workingenvironment for women and aim to ensure that every employeeis treated with dignity and respect as sexual harassment atworkplace is an extension of violence in everyday life and itis both discriminatory and exploitative, adversely impacting awomen’s right to life and livelihood.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Womenat Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013(“the POSH Act”) and the rules made thereunder, the Companyhas formulated and implemented a Policy for prevention ofsexual harassment against women and redressal of complaintsthereto and has also constituted Internal Complaints Committee(“ICC”) under the POSH Act.
ICC has been set up to redress complaints received regardingsexual harassment. All employees are covered under this policy.The details of complaints received and disposed during theFinancial Year are provided in Corporate Governance Reportforming part of this Annual report.
The Company places strong emphasis on creating a supportive,inclusive and equitable workplace for its women employees. Aspart of this commitment, the Company have been in compliancewith the all applicable provisions of Maternity Benefit Act, 1961,during the financial year under review.
Accordingly, the Company has in place a well-defined LeavePolicy, which explicitly outlines the provisions related tomaternity leave and associated benefits. All eligible womenhave been extended the statutory benefits prescribed underthe Act, including paid maternity leaves, continuity of salaryand service during the leave period, and post maternity support.
Recognizing the importance of employee welfare, the Companyremains dedicated to ensuring a safe and empowering workenvironment for its women employees in accordance with theapplicable laws.
The Company has, formulated and adopted code of conduct forprevention of Insider Trading in compliance with the Securitiesand Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading)Regulations, 2015 (“the PIT Regulations”).
The Code of Conduct for Prevention of Insider Trading wasformulated to regulate, monitor and ensure reporting of tradingby Designated Persons and their immediate relatives designatedon the basis of their functional role in the Company towardsachieving compliance with the Regulations and is designed tomaintain the highest ethical standards of trading in Securities ofthe Company by persons to whom it is applicable. The provisionsof the Code are designed to prohibit identified DesignatedPersons from trading in the Company’s Securities while inpossession of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (“UPSI”).The Code lays down guidelines for procedures to be followedand disclosures to be made while dealing with Securities of
the Company and cautions them against the consequencesof violations.
In order to protect the interest of the stakeholders at large,Mr. Saurabh Sharma, Company Secretary and ComplianceOfficer of the Company, is authorized to act as ComplianceOfficer under the Code, with the responsibility to overseeadherence to Insider Trading Regulations and relatedgovernance principles.
Furthermore, in accordance with regulations 3 (5) and (6) of SEBI(PIT) Regulation 2015, the Company has maintained a StructuralDigital Database (“SDD”), wherein details of persons withwhom UPSI is shared on need-to-know basis and for legitimatebusiness purposes is maintained with time stamping and audittrails to ensure non-tampering of the database. It ensures properrecord-keeping and monitoring of access to UPSI. This databaseserves as an essential tool for regulatory compliance, preventingunauthorized dissemination and ensuring transparency in themanagement of sensitive financial information.
The SDD is maintained internally by the Company and isnot outsourced in accordance with the provisions of thePIT Regulations.
Pursuant to the share sale agreements with Aquilo House Pte.Ltd. (“Purchaser”) and each of, Lake District Holdings Limited,Partners Group ESCL Limited and Partners Group Private Equity(Master Fund), LLC, who were members of the promoter/promoter group of the Company till June 30, 2025 and pursuantto power conferred to purchaser in terms of Article 16 of theArticle of Association of the Company, the Aquilo House Pte. Ltdhas become the Holding Company in terms of Section 2(87)(i)of the Companies Act,2013 i.e. by controlling the compositionof the Board of Directors w.e.f. June 30, 2025.
Further, your Company does not have any Joint Ventures orAssociate Company as on the date of this report.
Your Company had an unlisted wholly owned subsidiary named‘Aavas Finserv Limited’ which has been voluntarily dissolvedfollowing the order passed by the Hon’ble National CompanyLaw Tribunal ("NCLT") on January 28, 2025.
Therefore, your Company is no longer required to prepareConsolidated Financial Statements and Statement containingsalient features of Financial Statement of the Subsidiarypursuant to the Provisions of Section 129(3) of the Act.
Further, pursuant to Section 129(3) of the Act read with theCompanies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, a statement containing
salient features of Financial Statement of the Subsidiary orAssociate Companies or Joint Ventures in the prescribed formatAOC-1, is furnished as 'Annexure-6', which forms part of thisAnnual Report.
In accordance with Section 136 (1) of the Act, the Annual Reportof your Company containing inter alia, Financial Statements hasbeen placed on our website at https://www.aavas.in/investor-relations/annual-reports.
Fostering trust through open and timely communication isfundamental in building strong and enduring relationships withthe investment community. The Company remains committedto keep stakeholders well informed about its financial health,strategic initiatives and long-term objectives through consistentand transparent engagement. It is using technology wisely tosustain performance today and also leverages it for futuregrowth. Your Company is always looking ahead and takes on aholistic perspective of the operating landscape.
To strengthen engagement and trust, the Company hasestablished a specialized investor relation team, which helpsthe Company to communicate with its investors throughInformation session on Financial Results for institutionalinvestors and analysts via telephone conference, meetings withinvestors/analysts and discussions between Fund Managersand Management.
Investor relation team participate in investor relationsconferences each quarter to foster better relationships withinvestors. Presentations given by Company to fund managers,analysts, and investors are posted on the Company websiteand are also transmitted to stock exchanges. Each quarter, theaudio recordings of these meetings, along with their transcripts,are posted on the website at https://www.aavas.in/investor-relations/investor-intimation.
In compliance with Section 197(12) of the Act and Rule5(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration ofManagerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, disclosures regarding theremuneration of Directors and employees have been made.Additionally, as stipulated by Rule 5(2) of the aforementionedrules, the names and other details of the top ten employees interms of remuneration have been included as ‘Annexure-8’ tothis Report.
Your Company, being a responsible corporate citizen, isdedicated to enhancing societal welfare by incorporating social
and environmental considerations into its business practices,engaging in philanthropic efforts, and delivering positive socialvalue and wealth to its stakeholders. In line with the Company’sCorporate Social Responsibility ("CSR") initiatives, it haslaunched various projects focused on Education and HolisticDevelopment, Environmental Sustainability, Healthcare andWellness, Community and Rural Development, Women’sEmpowerment, and Strategies for Reducing Inequalities, allaimed at improving the quality of life in diverse communities,particularly among marginalized groups.
The CSR policy of the Company relates to the activities to beundertaken by the Company, which is in accordance with theprovisions of CSR under Section 135 of the Act read with theCompanies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014and Schedule VII of the Act.
The CSR Policy is hosted on Company’s website and can beaccessed at: https://www.aavas.in/codes-and-policies and theAnnual Report on CSR activities is furnished as ‘Annexure-9’which forms part of this Annual Report.
In terms of Section 134(3)(m) of the Act read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, the particulars of energyconservation, technology absorption and foreign exchange earnings and outgo is provided as under:
A) Conservation of energy
The Steps taken / impact onconservation of energy
The Company has adopted various initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. Thesemeasures include outfitting all branches with energy-efficient IT equipment, power-saving lighting,and multi-function copiers. Furthermore, the Company is committed to reduce its greenhouse gas("GHG") emissions by setting specific emission reduction goals. The Company‘s Head Office has beenawarded the prestigious LEED Gold certification, highlighting its dedication to eco-friendly practices.While the Company‘s operations have a minimal environmental footprint at the corporate level, it isfocused on advancing technological capabilities and optimizing resource use. A significant initiative inthis regard is the "Go Green Project" which seeks to eliminate physical documentation until a loan is fullyprocessed in the system.
The Steps taken by the Company forutilizing alternate sources of energy
As the nature of business of the Company is providing housing finance, the only key waste products are
paper, plastic and e-waste.
Initiatives to reduce paper, plastic, and e-waste include:
• The Company has taken specific targets in order to reduce the waste and has educated employeesthrough internal communication to reduce usage of single-use plastics.
• The Company has launched the "Go Green Initiative” to minimize paper usage in loan processingthrough advanced technology.
• The Company has started monitoring its operations with a focus on waste management, particularlyin the areas of paper, plastic, and e-waste.
• The Company has recycled e-waste through certified e-waste handler.
Green Housing Program:
• In partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Groupthe Company has developed the Green Homes initiative.
• The Company provides loans for financing of Self-Built Green homes which are 20% more efficient thanconventional homes in terms of construction features, water consumption, and energy consumption.The Company has financed 348 self-built green homes under its Green Housing Program.
The Capital investment on energyconservation equipment
In view of the nature of the activities carried on by your Company, there is no capital investment on energyconservation equipment.
B) Technology absorption
The efforts made towards technologyabsorption
Financial Year 2024-25 has been a landmark year for the Company in the journey of technology and digitaltransformations. We have successfully transitioned our business applications to highly scalable and bestin class technology platforms.
The new loan management system went live in August 2024 and has been fully stabilized during this year.
We have augmented the digital customer service channels with extensive features and capabilities.
The Company has adopted best-in-class Information Security Solutions, and all critical systems areunder 24/7 monitoring. The BitSight has upgraded our Cyber Security rating to ‘Advanced Level’.
Particular
Remarks
The benefits derived like productimprovement, cost reduction, productdevelopment or import substitution
Maintained almost 100% uptime for all critical systems.
Customer loan App adoption has increased to 74%. 73% of customer service requests are served throughdigital channels with a significant part of them being self-serviced.
Omnichannel Experience to customers and to customer service team by integrating all physical anddigital channels - Branch, Call Center, Customer App, Website, ChatBot, IVR, Email, etc.
“Customer 360-degree View” giving complete visibility of customer insights to service team on a singleclick for customer profile, loan details, delinquency & overdue status, service history, communicationhistory, etc.
53% Account Aggregator adoption on files sanctioned during the year.
Almost 100% of the property locations are geo-tagged. Further, 100% of the Technical, Legal and RiskAssessment Processes have been digitized including the vendors.
Almost 100% of vendor payments are now being processed digitally through our Oracle ERP module, andall transactions are now being automatically reconciled through the ORACLE ARCS system.
Fully Integrated Enterprise Architecture with 350 APIs live connecting internal systems and externalpartners for Origination, Loan Processing and Life Cycle Processes.
Significantly reduced paper consumption from the loan process through digital processes.
In case of imported technology(imported during the last three yearsreckoned from the beginning of theFinancial Year)
a). the details of technology imported
i. Salesforce (for LOS and CRM)
ii. Oracle Fusion system (for Financial System and reporting)
iii. ORACLE Flexcube (for LMS)
iv. Mulesoft (for Integration of systems)
b). the year of import
2022-23
c). whether the technology has beenfully absorbed
Implemented
d). if not fully absorbed, areas whereabsorption has not taken place,and the reasons thereof
NA
The expenditure incurred on Researchand Development
(C) Foreign exchange earnings andOutgo
During the Financial Year under review, your Company had no foreign exchange earnings and the aggregateof the foreign exchange outgo during the Financial Year under review was f 4,636.91 Lakhs. The aforesaiddetails are shown in the Note No. 39 of notes to the accounts, forming part of the Financial Statements.The members are requested to refer to this Note.
The Company is committed to maintain high environmental andsocial standards across its operations. It continues to enhanceits investment decision-making processes and procedures toalign with applicable Indian environmental and social legislation,as well as relevant international standards, including the IFCPerformance Standards, particularly in relation to its housingfinance and MSME Business segments.
The Company ensures a healthy and safe working environmentfor all its employees, adhering to best practices in workplacesafety and employee well-being. In line with its commitmentto continuous improvement, the Company regularly evaluatesand upgrades its EHS practices to proactively address emergingrisks, ensure compliance, and foster a culture of safety andsustainability across all levels.
In accordance with Regulation 34(2)(f) of the SEBI (LODR)Regulations, 2015, the top 1,000 listed companies basedon market capitalization are required to include a BusinessResponsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) in their AnnualReports. This report outlines the Company’s initiatives from anEnvironmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) perspective.
Following SEBI Circular SEBI/HO/CFD/PoD2/CIR/P/0155 datedNovember 11,2024, the top 250 listed entities are required todisclose ESG information under the BRSR Core framework aspart of their Annual Reports.
As one of the top 500 listed entities, and in alignment with itscommitment to strong corporate governance, the Company hasvoluntarily adopted and submitted the BRSR Core Framework
for the Financial Year 2024-25, in addition to publishing thestandard Annual BRSR as per regulatory guidelines. Thisframework helps reinforce ESG principles throughout theCompany’s operations, guiding efforts towards responsibleproduct development, operational efficiency, employeeempowerment, and environmental stewardship in line with theexpectations outlined in the BRSR.
The Company remains focused on strengthening its ESGperformance year over year, continually enhancing itsdisclosures, systems, and practices to create meaningfulimpact and align with evolving stakeholder expectations.
The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report inupdated format describing the initiatives taken by the Companyfrom an environmental, social and governance perspectivealong with Limited Assurance Statement from an IndependentAuditor forms part of this Annual Report as ‘Annexure-11’.
The Annual Return has been prepared in form MGT-7 as on March31,2025 in compliance with the provisions of Section 134(3) andSection 92(3) of the Act, read with Rule 12(1) of the Companies(Management and Administration) Rules, 2014. The same isplaced on the website of the Company and can be accessed athttps://www.aavas.in/investor-relations/annual-reports.
(a) The details of application made or any proceeding pendingunder the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of2016) during the year along with their status as at the endof the Financial Year:
The Company has not filled any application under theInsolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016)during the Financial Year under review. Hence there are noproceedings pending with respect to the above. Therefore,it is not applicable to the Company.
(b) The details of difference between amount of the valuationdone at the time of one-time settlement and the valuationdone while taking loan from the Banks or FinancialInstitutions along with the reasons thereto:
During the Financial Year under review, the Company hasnot made any settlement with its Bankers or FinancialInstitutions from which it has availed any term loan.
Since the Company is an HFC, it is exempted from disclosinginformation regarding particulars of loans extended, guaranteesgiven, and security provided in the ordinary course of businessunder the provisions of Section 186(11) of the Act.
Nevertheless, the notes to the Financial Statements of theCompany state the details of loans, guarantees, and investments
four Company has an explicit “Policy on Materiality ofdelated Party Transactions and dealing with Related Partyrransactions” to ensure that all related party transactions arean an arm’s length basis and in the ordinary course of businessn adherence of the provisions of Section 188 of the Act andules made thereunder and the SEBI (LODR) Regulations,>015. Accordingly, all related party transactions entered duringfinancial Year 2024-25 were on an arm’s length basis and in theordinary course of business under the Act and were not materialjnder the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
\ll related party transactions entered into during the Financial/ear, were presented to both the Audit Committee and theBoard. The Audit Committee has granted omnibus approval forelated party transactions as per the provisions of the Act andhe SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015. Further, in compliance withhe Section 134(3)(h) of the Act, a thorough disclosure has beennade in Form AOC-2 as ‘Annexure-7’ which forms part of thisnnual Report.
\dditionally, in compliance with the SEBI and RBI MasterDirections, the 'Policy on Materiality of Related Partyrransactions and dealing with Related Party Transactions' isriven in ‘Annexure-10’ which forms part of this Annual Reportand is available for viewing on the Company’s website at https://www.aavas.in/codes-and-policies.
Corporate Governance forms the cornerstone of responsible andathical business conduct, ensuring transparency, accountabilityand long term value creation for all the stakeholders of theCompany. Your Company has been committed to upholdhe greatest standards of corporate governance by adheringo its fundamental values, which include putting the needsaf the customer first, being transparent, acting fairly, beingaccountable, and acting with integrity and equity in all ofts dealings.
he Company’s Corporate Governance framework ensures thatt makes timely and appropriate disclosures and shares factualand accurate information to its stakeholders so as to make annformed decision.
rhe Company has approved and adopted the Internal Guidelinesan Corporate Governance. The Internal Guidelines on CorporateCovernance has been framed in accordance with the Act, SEBILODR) Regulations, 2015, RBI Master Directions, 2021 andther applicable rules and regulations.
rhe Internal Guidelines on Corporate Governance of theCompany is available on the website of the Company and canae accessed at https://www.aavas.in/codes-and-policies.
For and on behalf of the Board of DirectorsAAVAS FINANCIERS LIMITED
Sachinderpalsingh Jitendrasingh Bhinder Nikhil Omprakash Gahrotra
Managing Director and CEO Additional Non-Executive Director
(DIN: 08697657) (DIN: 01277756)
Date: August 12, 2025Place:Mumbai
Registered and Corporate Office:
201-202, 2nd Floor, Southend Square,
Mansarovar Industrial Area, Jaipur 302020, Rajasthan, IndiaCIN: L65922RJ2011PLC034297
E-mail: investorrelations@aavas.in | Website: www.aavas.in
In compliance with the provisions of Section 134(3)(c) and134(5), of the Act and based on the information provided bythe Management, the Board of Directors hereby gives thefollowing statement:
(a) in the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicableaccounting standards have been followed along withproper explanation relating to material departures;
(b) the Directors had selected such accounting policies andapplied them consistently and made judgments andestimates that are reasonable and prudent to give a trueand fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at theend of the Financial Year and of the profit and loss of theCompany for that period;
(c) the Directors had taken proper and sufficient care forthe 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;
(d) the Directors had prepared the annual accounts on a goingconcern basis;
(e) the Directors had laid down Internal Financial Controlsto be followed by the Company and that such InternalFinancial Controls are adequate and were operatingeffectively; and
(f) t he Directors had devised proper systems to ensurecompliance with the provisions of all applicable laws andthat such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
A comprehensive evaluation of the business and its futureprospects is included in the Management Discussion andAnalysis section of the Annual Report.
Behind every milestone achieved lies the collective effort ofmany, as we reflect on the past years, the Board of Directors is
proud to recognize collective efforts of all stakeholders of theCompany, that have enabled the Company to move forward withpurpose and resilience.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation for all the support andtrust received from the Stakeholders of the Company, includingthe Reserve Bank of India, National Housing Bank, Ministry ofCorporate Affairs, Securities and Exchange Board of India,Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, StockExchanges i.e. BSE and NSE, and other regulatory authorities.
The Board also acknowledges the support and cooperationfrom Bankers, Lenders, Financial Institutions, Members, CreditRating Agencies, National Securities Depository Limited, CentralDepository Services (India) Limited, National Stock ExchangeInternational Financial Service Centre Limited, and Customersof the Company for their continued trust and support.
The Directors wish to express their deep appreciation toKedaara Capital and Partners Group for their invaluablesupport which proved instrumental in driving the Company’sgrowth and success. Further, the Board is also thankful tothe resigning directors for their enduring commitment andmeaningful Contributions.
We also take this opportunity to warmly welcome our newPromoter, Aquilo House Pte. Ltd., belonging to CVC network,whose induction marks a significant milestone in the Company'sgrowth journey. We look forward to a strong and fruitfulpartnership, leveraging their expertise and vision to drivesustained progress and long-term value creation.
Additionally, the Board records its sincere appreciation for thecommitment demonstrated by all executives, officers, staff, andthe Senior Management team of the Company, for contributingto the excellent performance of the Company during theFinancial Year.
The Board wishes to express its gratitude to all the Shareholdersfor their invaluable support.