v3.26.1
Retirement benefits
 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Retirement benefits
25. Retirement benefits
Gratuity
In accordance with Indian law, the Bank provides for gratuity, a defined benefit retirement plan, covering eligible employees. The plan provides for lump sum payments to vested employees at retirement, resignation, death while in employment or on termination of employment in an amount equivalent to
 
15
 
days’ eligible salary (30 days for eHDFC employees up to July 1, 2023) payable for each completed year of service. Vesting occurs upon completion of five years of service. The Bank makes annual contributions to funds administered by trustees and managed by insurance companies for amounts notified by said insurance companies, and in respect of certain employees, the Bank makes contributions to a fund set up for the purpose and administered by the boards of trustees of such funds. The contributions are invested in specific designated instruments as permitted by Indian law. The Bank accounts for the liability for future gratuity benefits using the projected unit cost method based on an actuarial valuation done on March 31 of every year.
The following table sets out the funded status of the gratuity plan and the amounts recognized in the Bank’s consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026:
 
 
  
As of March 31,
 
 
  
2025
 
  
2026
 
  
2026
 
 
  
(In millions)
 
Change in benefit obligations:
  
  
  
Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), beginning of the period
      Rs. 17,591.9        Rs. 21,377.2      US$  227.8  
Service cost
      3,213.5        3,717.2        39.6  
Interest cost
      1,313.5        1,551.2        16.5  
Past service cost*

      —         9,564.8        101.9  
(Gains)/Losses on Curtailment
      —         (223.6 )       (2.4 ) 
Actuarial(gains)/ losses
      611.7        (1,273.0 )      (13.6 )
Benefits paid
      (1,353.4 )       (1,216.1 )      (13.0 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Projected benefit obligation, end of the period
      21,377.2        33,497.7        356.8  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Change in plan assets:
         
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of the period
      18,951.8        20,230.0        215.6  
Expected return on plan assets
      1,283.4        1,340.3        14.3  
Actuarial gains/(losses)
      237.5        (1,234.9 )      (13.2 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Actual return on plan assets
      1,520.9        105.4        1.1  
Employer contributions
      1,010.2        1,988.4        21.2  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Benefits paid
      (1,252.9 )       (1,063.5 )      (11.3 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Fair value of plan assets, end of the period
      20,230.0        21,260.3        226.6  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Funded Status
      Rs. (1,147.2)        Rs. (12,237.4)      US$ (130.2 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
 
*
On November 21, 2025, the Government of India notified four labour codes - the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, collectively referred to as the ‘New Labour Codes’. The financial impact arising from these regulatory changes has been accounted for.
The Bank’s expected contribution to the gratuity fund for the next fiscal year is estimated at R
s.
12,393.8
 million. The accumulated benefit obligation as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 was Rs.
15,065.6
 million and Rs.
24,373.1
 million, respectively. The vested accumulated benefit obligation as o
f
 March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 was Rs. 
13,143.1
 million and Rs. 
22,108.9
 million, respectively.
 
 
Net gratuity cost for the years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 comprised the following components:
 
    
Fiscal years ended March 31,
  
    
2024
     
2025
     
2026
     
2026
  
    
(In millions)
  
Service cost
    Rs.   1,968.8        Rs.  3,213.5        Rs.  3,717.2        US$  39.6  
Interest cost
      981.3        1,313.5        1,551.2        16.5  
Past service cost amortized
      —         —         1,114.9        11.9  
(Gains)/Losses on Curtailment
      —         —         (223.6 )
 
      (2.4 )
 
Expected return on plan assets
      (1,036.1 )       (1,283.4 )       (1,340.3 )      (14.3 )
Actuarial (gains)/losses
      (3,196.5 )       374.2        (38.1 )      (0.4 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Net gratuity cost
    Rs. (1,282.5 )       Rs.  3,617.8        Rs.  4,781.3        US$  50.9  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
The Bank’s expected past service cost amorti
za
tion for the next fiscal year is estimated at Rs. 1,636.6 million. Average remaining service period for past service cost is 1 to 13 years.
The assumptions used in accounting for the gratuity plan are set out below:
 
    
Fiscal years ended March 31,
  
    
2024
     
2025
     
2026
  
    
(% per annum)
  
Discount rate(*)
     
7.2
-
8.3
       
6.5-8.1
       
6.9-8.5
  
Rate of increase in compensation levels of covered employees
     
3.0-15.0
       
4.0-14.0
       
4.0-13.0
  
Rate of return on plan assets
     
6.5-7.4
       
6.5-7.0
       
5.7-8.5
  
Mortality rates used are based on the published “Indian Assured Lives Mortality
(2012-2014) Ultimate” table
         
 
(*)
Weighted average assumptions are used to determine both benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost.
The rate of return on plan assets is based on historical returns, the current market conditions, anticipated future assets allocation and expected future returns. The rate of return on plan assets represents a long-term average view of the expected return.
The following benefit payments, which includes benefits attributable to expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid.
 
Fiscal years ending March 31,
   
Benefit payments
  
    
(In millions)
  
2027
      Rs. 4,658.1  
2028
      4,056.4  
2029
      3,948.7  
2030
      3,803.7  
2031
      3,504.3  
2032 - 2036
      15,685.9  
The expected benefit payments are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Bank’s benefit obligations as of March 31, 2026.
 
 
The gratuity contributions of the Bank which are administered by a trust set up for the purpose, are
 managed by two insurance companies, and, in respect of certain employees, the funds are invested by the trust set up for said purpose. The overall asset allocation of the gratuity fund by the two insurance companies is structured so as to provide stable earnings while still allowing for potentially higher returns through an investments in equity securities.
As of March 31, 2026, the plan assets as a percentage of the total funds were as follows:
 
    
As of March 31, 2026
  
    
Funds managed
by insurance
company (1)(*)
    
Funds managed
by insurance
company (2)(*)
    
Funds
managed
by trust
  
Government securities
      70.1 %      24.7 %      34.6 % 
Debenture and bonds
      6.8 %      31.7 %      38.5 % 
Equity securities
      10.6 %      38.2 %      7.3 % 
Other
      12.5 %      5.4 %      19.6 % 
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
  
Total
      100.0 %      100.0 %      100.0 % 
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
(*)
The data pertaining to plan investment assets measured at fair value by level and in total as of March 31, 2026 are provided separately.
Pension
In respect of pensions payable to certain eCBoP employees, which are payable pursuant to a defined benefit scheme, the Bank contributes 10% of basic salary to a pension fund set up by the Bank and administered by
 
such fund’s board
of trustees, and the balance amount is provided based on an actuarial valuation at the balance sheet date conducted by an independent actuary. In respect of employees who have moved to a cost to company (“CTC”) driven compensation structure and have completed services up to 15 years as o
f
 the date of movement to a CTC driven compensation structure, any contribution made until such date, and any additional
one-time
contribution made for employees (who have completed more than 10 years but less than 15 years) stand frozen and will be converted into an annuity on separation after a
lock-in-period
of two years. Hence, for this category of employees, liability stands frozen and no additional provision is required except for interest, if any. In respect of employees who accepted the offer and have completed 15
years of service,
the pension would be paid based on the employee’s salary as of the date of movement to a CTC driven compensation structure and a provision is made based on an actuarial valuation at the balance sheet date conducted by an independent actuary.
 
 
The following table sets out the funded status of the pension plan and the amounts recognized in the Bank’s consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026:
 
    
As of March 31,
  
    
2025
     
2026
     
2026
  
    
(In millions)
  
Change in benefit obligations:
         
Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), beginning of the period
      Rs.  987.3        Rs.    1,250.3      US$  13.3  
Past service cost*
      —         31.2        0.3  
Service cost
      28.4        86.6        0.9  
Interest cost
      71.6        —         —   
Actuarial (gains)/losses
      274.7        (70.2 )       (0.7 ) 
Benefits paid
      (111.7 )       (87.8 )      (0.9 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Projected benefit obligation, end of the period
      1,250.3        1,210.1        12.9  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of the period
      161.5        161.5        1.7  
Expected return on plan assets
      10.5        12.7        0.1  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Actuarial gains/(losses)
      1.3        (3.7 )      —   
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Actual return on plan assets
      11.8        9.0        0.1  
Employer contributions
      99.9        145.3        1.5  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Benefits paid
      (111.7 )       (87.8 )      (0.9 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Fair value of plan assets, end of the period
      161.5        228.0        2.4  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Funded Status
      Rs. (1,088.8 )       Rs. (982.1 )     US$  (10.5 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
 
*
On November 21, 2025, the Government of India notified four labour codes - the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, collectively referred to as the ‘New Labour Codes’. The financial impact arising from these regulatory changes has been accounted for.
The Bank’s expected contribution to the pension fund for the next fiscal year is estimated at Rs.
 
123.4
 million. The accumulated benefit obligation as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 was Rs.
833.9
 million and Rs.
829.5
 million, respectively. The vested accumulated benefit obligation as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 was Rs.
545.7
 million and Rs.
539.9
 million, respectively.
Net pension cost for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 comprised the following components:
 
    
As of March 31,
  
    
2024
     
2025
     
2026
     
2026
  
    
(In millions)
  
Service cost
      Rs. 16.0        Rs.  28.4        Rs.  31.2      US$ 0.3  
Interest cost
      76.4        71.6        86.6        0.9  
Expected return on plan assets
      (6.5 )       (10.5 )       (12.7 )       (0.1 ) 
Actuarial (gains)/losses
      (33.4 )       273.4        (66.5 )      (0.7 )
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Net pension cost
      Rs. 52.5        Rs. 362.9        Rs.  38.6      US$  0.4  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
 
 
The assumptions used in accounting for the pension plan are set out below:
 
    
Fiscal years ended March 31,
  
    
2024
     
2025
     
2026
  
    
(% per annum)
  
Discount rate(*)
      7.7        7.2        7.7  
Rate of increase in compensation levels of covered employees
      7.0        7.0        7.0  
Rate of return on plan assets
      6.5        6.5        6.5  
Mortality rates used are based on the published “Indian Assured Lives Mortality (2012-2014) Ultimate” table.
 
 
(*)
Weighted average assumptions are used to determine both benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost.
The following benefit payments, which include benefits attributable to expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid.
 
Fiscal years ending March 31,
   
Benefit payments
  
    
(In millions)
  
2027
      Rs. 109.0  
2028
      114.5  
2029
      142.0  
2030
      168.0  
2031
      161.9  
2032-2036
      870.2  
The expected benefits are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Bank’s benefit obligations as of March 31, 2026.
The retirement funds of a section of the employees are managed by a trust set up for such purpose. The trust essentially manages the defined retirement benefit plans belonging to certain employees. The funds are mainly invested in government securities and other corporate bonds. The weighted-average asset allocation of such plan assets for the pension benefits as of March 31, 2026 is as follows:
 
Asset category
   
Funds managed
by trust
  
Government securities
      88.6 % 
Debenture and bonds
      11.4 % 
Other
      —   
  
 
 
  
Total
      100.0 % 
  
 
 
  
For information on fair value measurements, including descriptions of Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation methods employed by the Bank, see note 33—Fair value measurements.
 
 
Plan investment assets for gratuity funds and the pension fund measured at fair value by level and in total as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 are summarized in the table below.
 
    
As of March 31, 2025
     
As of March 31, 2026
  
    
Level 1
     
Level 2
     
Level 3
     
Level 1
     
Level 2
     
Level 3
  
    
(In millions)
  
Funds managed by insurance company (1)
    Rs. —       Rs. —       Rs. 769.1      Rs. —       Rs. —       Rs. 840.2  
Funds managed by insurance company (2)
      —         15,803.1        —         —          16,703.4        —   
Funds managed by trust
                  
— Government securities
      —         1,799.5        —         —         1,491.7        —   
— Debenture and bonds
      —         1,131.1        —         —         1,456.0        —   
— Others
   
 
649.8
 
   
 
238.9
 
   
 
— 
 
   
 
935.1
 
   
 
61.9
 
   
 
— 
 
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Total
    Rs.  649.8      Rs.  18,972.6      Rs.  769.1      Rs.  935.1      Rs. 19,713.0      Rs.  840.2  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
            US$ 10.0      US$ 210.0      US$ 9.0  
           
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
The table below presents a reconciliation of all Plan investment assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
 
    
Funds managed by Insurance
companies as of March 31,
  
    
2025
     
2026
     
2026
  
    
(In millions)
  
Particulars
         
Opening balance
      Rs.  859.1        Rs.  769.1      US$   8.2  
Realized interest credited to fund
      70.2        59.9        0.6  
Contribution during the period
      88.6        191.6        2.0  
Amount paid towards claim
      (248.8 )       (180.4 )
 
      (1.9 )
 
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Closing balance
      Rs.  769.1        Rs.  840.2      US$  8.9  
  
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
  
Superannuation
Eligible employees of the Bank are entitled to receive retirement benefits under the Bank’s superannuation fund. The superannuation fund is a defined contribution plan under which the Bank annually contributes a sum equivalent to 13% of the employee’s eligible annual salary (15%
for the Managing Director, Executive Directors and for certain employees of eCBoP) to the insurance companies in India that administer the fund. The Bank has no liability for future superannuation fund benefits other than its annual contribution, and the Bank recognizes such contributions as an expense in the year incurred. The Bank incurred Rs.
 
3,106.6
 million, Rs. 
3,576.8
 million and Rs.
4,099.4
 
million of superannuation expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively.
Provident fund
In accordance with Indian law, eligible employees of the Bank are entitled to receive benefits under the provident fund, a defined contribution plan in which both the employee and the Bank contribute monthly at a determined rate (currently 12% of an employee’s eligible salary). These contributions are made to a fund set up by the Bank and administered by a board of trustees, except that, out of the employer’s contribution, an amount equal to 8.33% of the lower of employee’s monthly eligible salary or Rs. 0.015 
million, is contributed by the Bank to the Pension Scheme administered by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. Employees are credited with interest, which is subject to a government specified minimum rate. The Bank has no liability for future provident fund benefits other than its annual contribution and the shortfall, if any, between the government-specified minimum rate and the yield on the fund’s assets, and recognizes such contributions as an expense in the year incurred. The amount contributed was
 
Rs. 11,683.9 million, Rs. 12,569.0 million and Rs. 13,136.6 million to the Provident Fund Trust and Regional Provident Fund Commissioner for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively.
National Pension Scheme
In respect of employees who opt for contribution to the National Pension Scheme, the Bank contributes a certain percentage of the basic salary of such employees to the aforesaid scheme, a defined contribution plan, which is managed and administered by pension fund management companies. The Bank has no liability other than its contribution, and recognizes such contributions as an expense in the year incurred. The amount contributed was Rs. 161.6 million, Rs. 310.0 million and Rs. 654.6 million to the National Pension Scheme for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively.
Compensated absences
The Bank has provided for unutilized leave balances as of March 31, 2026 standing to the credit of each employee on an actuarial valuation conducted by an independent actuary.