Early Life and Education
Rakesh Mittal, born in 1954, is 70 years old as of December 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Punjab University.
Rise to Success
Rakesh Mittal has significantly contributed to the success of Bharti Enterprises and Bharti Airtel. He played a key role in the expansion and growth of Airtel. In 1995, Bharti Cellular Limited (BCL) was formed to offer cellular services under the brand name AirTel. Airtel expanded its network and services, becoming a leading telecom provider in India and internationally. Bharti Airtel pioneered the strategic management of outsourcing all of its business operations except marketing, sales, and finance, and building the "minutes factory" model of low cost and high volumes.
Key Business Strategies
Bharti Airtel has focused on technology infrastructure and strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Zain's Africa assets in 2010 for $10.7 billion, expanding its presence in the African market. The company has invested heavily in network expansion, including 5G connectivity, and introduced Airtel Payments Bank in 2016. Bharti Airtel has over 490 million subscribers, making it one of the largest mobile network operators globally.
Philanthropy
Rakesh Mittal, through Bharti Airtel Foundation, supports various philanthropic initiatives, particularly in education. The Bharti Foundation was established in 2000 and has impacted the lives of over 2 million children through its education programs, focusing on quality education and holistic development.