The Directors are pleased to present 61st Integrated Annual Report together with the Audited Financial Statements for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2024.
1. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND STATE OF AFFAIRS
Financial Summary
(INR Million)
|
Particulars
|
Standalone
|
Consolidated
|
2023-24
|
2022-23
|
2023-24
|
2022-23
|
Revenue from operations
|
20,192
|
18,234
|
49,019
|
48,482
|
Other Income (Net)
|
1,726
|
1,517
|
1,588
|
1,028
|
Total Income
|
21,918
|
19,751
|
50,607
|
49,510
|
Profit before Tax
|
6,279
|
4,034
|
8,758
|
4,441
|
Profit after Tax (after Minority Interest)
|
4,770
|
3,084
|
6,650
|
3,276
|
On standalone basis, during FY 2023-24, the Company recorded total income of INR 21,918 million comprising revenue from operations of INR 20,192 million and other income of INR 1,726 million. The Company recorded a net profit of INR 4,770 million reflecting an increase of about 54.67% Y-o-Y.
On consolidated basis, the Company recorded total income of INR 50,607 million comprising revenue from operations of INR 49,019 million and other income of INR 1,588 million. The consolidated net profit was INR 6,650 million reflecting an increase of about 102.99% Y-o-Y.
The Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS).
Dividend
Based on profits during FY 2023-24 and continuing the tradition of rewarding the members, the Company declared an interim dividend of INR 2.00 (100%) per equity share of face value of INR 2 per equity share on the paid-up equity share capital of the Company. The total payout amounted to INR 453.05 million.
Further, the Board recommends a final dividend of INR 7.00 (350%) per equity share of face value of INR 2 per equity share on the paid-up equity share capital of the Company, for the year under review. The total pay-out will amount to about INR 1,587 million. The payment of dividend shall be made within 30 days from the date of declaration as per the record date set out in the AGM Notice. The total dividend for the year including the interim dividend shall be INR 9.00 per equity share of INR 2 each (450%).
The said dividends are in accordance with the Dividend Distribution Policy of the Company, formulated pursuant to Listing Regulations which is available on website of the Company at https://zensar.com/about/investors/investors-relation?result=Policies#Corporate-Governance
In view of the changes made under the Income-tax Act, 1961, by the Finance Act, 2020, dividend(s) paid or distributed by the Company shall be taxable in the hands of the Shareholders. The Company shall, accordingly, make the payment of the final dividend after deduction of tax at source, subject to relevant threshold.
Unclaimed Dividend
Pursuant to the Act and IEPF Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016, as amended from time to time, during the year under review, the Company has transferred following dividend(s) and corresponding share(s) to IEPF, upon completion of period of seven years:
Date of Declaration
|
Type of Dividend
|
Total
Amount of
|
Total No.
|
Dividend
transferred
(INR)
|
of shares transferred
|
March 14, 2016
|
Interim
|
2,409,967
|
20,080
|
January 24, 2017
|
Interim
|
1,880,680
|
35,233
|
The total amount lying in the Unpaid Dividend Account of the Company up to the year under review and the corresponding shares, which would be liable to be transferred to IEPF, as per records of RTA are as follows:
Sr.
No
|
FY to which dividend relates
|
Type of Dividend
|
Amount lying in the unpaid dividend Account (INR) (as on March 31, 2024
|
1
|
2023-24
|
Interim
|
1,516,713
|
2
|
2022-23
|
Final
|
2,354,302
|
|
|
Interim
|
1,185,729
|
3
|
2021-22
|
Final
|
2,735,990
|
|
|
Interim
|
1,077,072
|
4
|
2020-21
|
Final
|
1,812,346
|
|
|
Interim
|
1,126,130
|
Sr.
No
|
FY to which dividend relates
|
Type of Dividend
|
Amount lying in the unpaid dividend Account (INR) (as on March 31, 2024
|
5
|
2019-20
|
2nd Interim
|
2,116,041
|
|
|
1st Interim
|
985,570
|
6
|
2018-19
|
Final
|
1,542,420
|
|
|
Interim
|
976,232
|
7
|
2017-18
|
Final
|
1,537,123
|
|
|
Interim
|
1,126,935
|
8
|
2016-17
|
Final
|
2,436,714
|
The data on unpaid/unclaimed dividend and other unclaimed amount(s) is available on the Company's website at https://www.zensar.com/about/investors/ investors-relation?result=IEPF#Shareholder-Information. Members who have not yet encashed their unclaimed/ unpaid amounts are requested to correspond with the Company's Registrar and Transfer Agents, at the earliest.
Particulars of Loans, Guarantees and Investments pursuant to Section 186 of the Act
Particulars
|
Loan(s)
|
Company has not given any loan to any parties
|
Guarantee(s)
|
Please refer Note No. 29 of Notes to Financial Statements
|
Investment(s)
|
Please refer Note No. 6(a) of Notes to Financial Statements
|
Related Party Transactions
All related party transactions that were entered into during FY 2023-24, were on arm's length basis and in the ordinary course of business.
Requisite approval(s) of the Audit Committee is obtained on periodic basis for the transactions, which are repetitive in nature or otherwise. The actual transactions entered into, pursuant to the approval so granted, are placed periodically, before the Audit Committee.
The policy on related party transactions is available on the website of the Company at https://zensar.com/ about/investors/investors-relation?result=Policies#Corp orate-Governance.
During FY 2023-24, no materially significant related party transactions that may have potential conflict with the interests of Company at large were entered into by the Company.
Further, the Company has not entered into any material transaction with related parties, during the year under review, which requires reporting in Form AOC-2 in terms of the Act read with Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014. However, the requisite disclosures under IND-AS form part of Notes to Financial Statements.
Business Update
The information on Company's affairs and related aspects, is provided under Management Discussion and Analysis Report, which has been prepared, inter-alia, in compliance with Regulation 34 of Listing Regulations and forms part of this report.
Internal Financial Controls
Details in respect of adequacy of internal financial controls with reference to the Financial Statements are stated in Management Discussion and Analysis Report, which forms part of this report.
Transfer to Reserves
No amount is proposed to be transferred to General Reserve on declaration of dividend(s).
Deposits
During the year under review, the Company has not accepted any Deposits, under Chapter V of the Act.
Change in the Nature of the Business
During the year under review, there was no change in the nature of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries, pursuant to, inter-alia, Section 134 of the Act and Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, as amended from time to time.
Material Changes and Commitments, if any, affecting the Financial Position of the Company
There are no material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company which have occurred between the end of the Financial Year on March 31, 2024, to which the Financial Statements relate and the date of this report.
Significant and Material Orders passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals impacting the Going Concern Status
There are no significant and material orders passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals impacting the going concern status and Company's operations in future.
Annual Return
Pursuant to Section 92 of the Act and related rules, as amended from time to time, a copy of Annual Return for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2024, is available on website of the Company at the following weblink: https://www.zensar.com/about/investors/investors-relation?result=Annual-Results#Investor-Corner.
Further, final Annual Return for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2024, once filed, shall also be made available on the above-mentioned weblink.
Subsidiary Companies
Your Company along with subsidiaries provides digital solutions and technology services globally. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had 14 Subsidiaries as per details to be set out in Annual Return.
Effective from April 1, 2024, Foolproof (SG) Pte. Ltd., Singapore, has merged into Zensar Technologies (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Singapore, vide Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) order dated April 2, 2024. The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on July 20, 2023, accorded its in-principal approval for exploring and if found feasible, winding up/ striking-off/liquidation of Zensar Technologies GmbH, a step-down subsidiary of the Company.
The highlights of performance of subsidiaries and their contribution to the overall performance of the Company/ Group, are included in Form AOC - 1 forming part of Consolidated Financial Statements section in this Annual Report, in accordance with the provisions, inter-alia, of Section 129 of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014. Further details of developments among subsidiaries during the year under review are set out in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Policy for determining material subsidiaries framed by the Company, is available on https://zensar.com/about/ investors/investors-relation?result=Policies#Corpora te-Governance.
2. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Formal Annual Evaluation of Board and its Committees
The details pertaining to annual evaluation of Board and its Committees are provided under the Corporate Governance Report forming part of this Board's Report.
Directors' Responsibility Statement
To the best of their knowledge and belief and according to the information and explanations obtained by them, your Directors make the following statements in terms of Section 134(3)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013:
a) in preparation of the annual accounts for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2024, the applicable accounting standards had been followed and there was no material departures;
b) the Directors had selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of the Financial Year as at March 31, 2024, and of the profit of the Company for that period;
c) the Directors had taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting
records in accordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities.
d) the Directors had prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
e) the Directors had laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were operating effectively.
f) the Directors had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
Director(s), Key Managerial Personnel KMP(s) and Senior Management Personnel(s)
Details pertaining to change in Director(s), Key Managerial Personnel(s) and Senior Management Personnel(s) of the Company and change in the Committee(s) of the Board, during the year under review, are set out in the Corporate Governance Report.
Number of Meetings of the Board
During the year under review, Five (5) meetings of the Board were held, details of which are set out in the Corporate Governance Report herein.
Board Committees
Detailed composition of Committee(s) of the Board, number of meetings held during the year under review and other related details including brief details of terms of reference of the Committees, membership(s) and attendance of members, are set out in the Corporate Governance Report.
There were no instances during FY 2023-24 where the Board had not accepted any recommendation of any of the Committees of the Board.
Statement on Declaration of Independent Directors
The Company has received necessary declaration of Independence from Independent Directors inter-alia, pursuant to Section 149(6) and 149(7) of the Act and under Regulation 16(1)(b) and Regulation 25 of the Listing Regulations, confirming and certifying that:
• they have complied with all the requirements of being an Independent Director of the Company, as on date. The said certificate(s) were taken on record by the Board, at its meeting held on April 25, 2024, after due assessment of veracity of the same.
• they possess the requisite expertise and experience and are persons of high integrity and repute.
• they have registered themselves with the Independent Directors' Database maintained by IICA.
Particular of Employees
Information pursuant to Section 197 of the Act, read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014
1.
|
The ratio of the remuneration of each Director to the median remuneration of the employees of the Company excluding Managing Director for the Financial Year.
|
Please refer Annexure to this report for details.
|
2.
|
Percentage increase in remuneration of each Director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Company Secretary or Manager, if any, in the Financial Year.
|
|
3.
|
The percentage increase in the median remuneration of employees.
|
The percentage increase in the median remuneration in FY2023-24 of employees on India Payroll was 19.6%.
|
4.
|
The number of permanent employees on the rolls of Company (in India)
|
7,493 (as of March 31, 2024)
|
5. Average percentile increase already made in the salaries of employees other than the managerial personnel in the last Financial Year and its comparison with the percentile increase in the managerial remuneration and justification thereof and point out if there are any exceptional circumstances for increase in the managerial remuneration.
|
Average percentage* increase made in the salaries of the employees other than the managerial personnel in the last Financial Year is 8.71% for India based associates.
|
*Since percentile refers to a score below which a given percentage of scores in its frequency distribution falls, for an accurate representation of above calculation sought, we refer to percentage increase at an average level of salaries for the employees concerned.
|
Pecuniary Relationship or Transactions of NonExecutive Directors and Disclosures about Remuneration of Directors
All pecuniary relationship or transactions of NonExecutive Directors vis-a-vis the Company, along with criteria for such payments and disclosures on the remuneration of the Directors along with their shareholding are disclosed in Corporate Governance Report which forms part of this report and also available on the website of the Company, pursuant to relevant regulations.
Inter-Se Relationships between the Directors
There are no relationships between the Directors interse, except between Anant Goenka and H. V. Goenka. Anant Goenka, Vice Chairman and Non-Executive, NonIndependent Director, is son of H. V. Goenka, Chairman and Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director
Risk Management
In terms of the provisions of Section 134 of the Companies Act, 2013, a detailed report on Risk Management is included in Management Discussion and Analysis Report, which forms part of this report.
Secretarial Standards
The Company complies with the applicable mandatory Secretarial Standards.
3. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Disclosure under Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The Company has in place an Internal Committee and an Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, inter-alia, in line with the requirements of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal)
Act, 2013 and rules made thereunder to redress all the sexual harassment complaints reported by women employee(s). Company has zero tolerance for sexual harassment at workplace.
The following is the summary of complaints received and disposed- off during the year under review:
Number of complaints received
|
4
|
Number of complaints disposed off
|
4
|
Number of complaints pending
|
0
|
Employees Stock Option Plan
The Company currently has two Employees Stock Option Schemes in force, namely, "2006 Employees Stock Option Plan" (2006 ESOP) and "Employee Performance Award Unit Plan 2016" (2016 EPAP) and these schemes are being implemented, as per Listing Regulations, in this regard. Presently there are no outstanding/active options under "2002 Employees Stock Option Plan" (2002 ESOP). Nomination and Remuneration Committee vide its meeting held on January 20, 2022, resolved that no further options shall be granted under 2002 ESOP and 2006 ESOP.
In FY 2023-24, 16,900 equity shares were allotted under 2006 ESOP and 150,933 equity shares under EPAP 2016, respectively.
The aforesaid ESOP Plans/Scheme(s) are in compliance with SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021, as amended from time to time. There has not been any material change in the ESOP plan(s) during the year.
The disclosure pursuant to SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefit and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021 is available on the website of the Company at https://www.zensar. com/investor/financials .
The remuneration to employees is as per the remuneration policy of the Company. The percentage increase in the median remuneration of employees has been calculated after excluding Managing Director's remuneration.
The statement containing names of top ten employees in terms of remuneration drawn and the particulars of employees as required under Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rule 5(2) and 5(3) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, is provided in a separate annexure forming part of this report. None of the employees listed in the said Annexure are related to any Director(s) of the Company or hold 2% or more of the paid-up equity share capital of the Company. Further, the report and the accounts are being sent to the Members excluding the aforesaid annexure. In terms of Section 136 of the Act, the said annexure is open for inspection and any Member interested in obtaining a copy of the same may write to the Company.
4. REPORTS AND POLICIES
Integrated Annual Report
The Company has continued its practice of developing the Integrated Annual Report, based on International Integrated Reporting Council's ('IIRC') Framework, which encourages organisations to communicate their value creation over time. The Company has embarked on this journey to communicate its integrated thinking and how its business creates sustained value for stakeholders. The fourth Integrated Report also encompasses aspects like strategy, performance, governance frameworks, value creation based on various forms of capital viz. financial capital, manufactured capital, intellectual capital, natural capital, social & relationship capital and human capital.
Corporate Governance
A detailed report on the same for FY 2023-24 along with the practicing Company Secretary's certification thereon, is provided in the corporate governance section of this report.
Management Discussion and Analysis
A detailed Management Discussion and Analysis Report is annexed to this report.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report
As stipulated under the Listing Regulations, Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) on initiatives taken from an environmental, social and governance perspective, under Regulation 34(2)(f) is annexed to this report.
Nomination and Remuneration Policy
The Company has a Nomination and Remuneration Policy (Policy) for nomination and remuneration of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), Senior Management Personnel (SMP) and other employees, pursuant to the Act and Listing Regulations, as amended from time to time.
The salient features of the Policy, are:
1. Appointment and remuneration of Directors, KMP and SMP.
2. Determination of qualifications, positive attributes and independence for appointment of a Director (Executive/ Non-Executive/Independent) and recommendation to the Board matters relating to the remuneration for the Directors, KMP and SMP.
3. Formulating the criteria for performance evaluation of all Directors.
4. Board Diversity
The said Policy is available on the website of Company at:https://zensar.com/about/investors/investors-relation ?result=Policies#Corporate-Governance
Vigil Mechanism/Whistle Blower Policy
Pursuant to the Section 177(9) of the Act and Regulation 22 of Listing Regulations, the Company has established a Vigil Mechanism/ Whistle Blower Policy for Directors and employees to report their genuine concerns. The Policy provides for Directors and employees to report concerns
about unethical behavior, actual or suspected fraud or violation of Company's Code of Governance and Ethics. The policy is available on the website of the Company at https://zensar.com/about/investors/investors-relation?r esult=Policies#Corporate-Governance
The Company has in place robust measures to safeguard whistle blowers against victimisation. Directors and employees are duly sensitised about mechanisms and guidelines for direct access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, in appropriate cases.
Further, during FY 2023-24, no personnel has been denied access to the Audit Committee.
5. AUDITORS AND AUDIT REPORTS
Statutory Auditors
M/s. S R B C & CO LLP (ICAI Firm Registration No. FRN 324982E/E300003), Statutory Auditors of the Company, has been appointed to conduct Audit of the Financial Statements of the Company from FY 2022-23 till FY 2026-27.
Pursuant to the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 which came into force on May 7, 2018, appointment of Statutory Auditors is not subject to annual ratification at the Annual General Meeting and accordingly not being placed at the 61st Annual General Meeting for approval of members.
Further, there was no instance of fraud reported by the Statutory Auditors during FY 2023-24, as required under Section 134 of the Act and rules thereunder.
Secretarial Auditors and Secretarial Audit Report
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Act and the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the Board had appointed M/s. SVD & Associates, Company Secretaries in practice, to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company, for FY 2023-24. The Report of Secretarial Audit in Form MR - 3 is annexed herewith.
The appointment of M/s. SVD & Associates, as Secretarial Auditors, continues for FY 2024-25.
Further, during FY 2023-24 and two previous Financial Years, no penalties, strictures were imposed on the Company by stock exchange(s) or SEBI or any statutory authority, on any matter related to capital markets.
Internal Auditors
The Board had appointed KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP as Internal Auditors for FY 202324 under Section 138 of the Act. Their appointment continues for FY 2024-25.
Explanations on Qualification, Reservation or Adverse Remark or Disclaimer made by Auditors
There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks made by Statutory Auditors/Secretarial Auditors in their respective reports.
6. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
The CSR activities by the Company were undertaken through RPG Foundation, which is committed towards undertaking CSR activities across all group companies of RPG. The composition of the SCSR Committee of the Company, in accordance with Section 135 of the Act, is covered under the Corporate Governance Report which forms part of this report.
A detailed report on CSR activities in line with the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014, as amended from time to time, is attached as Annexure F to this report.
7. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS AND OUTGO
The provisions relating to disclosure of details regarding energy consumption, both total and per unit of production, are not applicable as the Company is engaged in the services sector and provides IT and IT related services.
Particulars prescribed under Section 134(3)(m) of the Act, read with the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 in respect of Technology Absorption, Foreign Exchange earnings and outgo as on March 31, 2024, and R&D expenditure during the Financial Year are set below:
Part A
Conservation of energy and water
The Company remains committed to minimizing environmental footprint and adhering to broader sustainability goals. As members of the United Nations Global Compact, Company aligns with the 12 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and looks forward to accomplishing the ambitious target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. A concerted effort is made to conserve energy and improve efficiency of infrastructure assets by implementing several energy conservation initiatives.
Zensar facilities have been designed with a globally accepted benchmark for design, construction, and operation of high performance, and the infrastructure is energy efficient. Further, the systems and equipment's are frequently upgraded/transitioned/tailored to conserve
energy and meet the current needs. All new office sites are recognized with the IGBC Green Interior Platinum Rating, highlighting commitment to energy-efficient architectural designs.
In FY 2024, the capital expenditure (capex) investments of INR 4.52 million has been made for the purchase of LED lights, Water conservation, Waste Management, Green Zone development, AC replacements/retrofit, etc.
Part B
Technology Absorption
As a digital solutions and technology services major, Company's robust innovative capabilities and Intellectual Property (IP) form the strategic pillars of solutions. Company's knowledge-based intangibles lend a competitive edge over other players. Additionally, Zensar makes substantial investments in research and development to cater to the unmet needs of the clients. The innovative approach, combined with these strategic pillars, ensures that Company's solutions are future-ready, making it the preferred partner of clients.
The expenditure incurred on Research and Development during the FY 2024 was INR 15 million. Further, details on energy and water conservation, waste management and technology absorption are set out under the Natural capital and Intellectual capital section, respectively which forms part this Integrated Annual Report.
Part C
Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo for FY 2023-24
(INR Million)
|
|
Earnings 19,509 Outgo 87
|
8. OTHER DISCLOSURES
I. The Company is not required to maintain cost records, as specified by the Central Government under section 148 of the Act.
II. Key initiatives with respect to stakeholder relationship, customer relationship, environment, sustainability, health and safety have been disclosed under respective heads of Corporate Governance Report and Business Responsibility Report.
III. No application has been made under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code; hence the requirement to disclose the details of application made or any proceeding pending under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) during the Financial Year along with their status as at the end of the Financial Year is not applicable.
IV. The requirement to disclose the details of difference between amount of the valuation done at the time of onetime settlement and the valuation done while taking loan from the Banks or Financial Institutions along with the reasons thereof, is not applicable.
9. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
The statements made in this report and Management Discussion and Analysis Report relating to the Company's objectives, projections, outlook, expectations and others may be "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable laws and regulations. Actual results may differ from expectations those expressed or implied. Some factors could make difference to the Company's operations that may be, due to change in government policies, global market conditions, foreign exchange fluctuations, natural disasters etc.
10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND APPRECIATIONS
The Directors place on record their appreciation for the continued co-operation extended by all stakeholders including various departments of Central and State Government, Shareholders, Investors, Bankers, Financial Institutions, Customers, Dealers and Suppliers.
The Board also places on record its gratitude and appreciation of the committed services of the executives and employees of the Company.
|