The 58-year-old Chairman has served on UltraTech Cement’s Board since May 2004 and held 6,11,500 shares as of March 31, 2026.
MUMBAI (India CSR): Kumar Mangalam Birla (58 Years) received Rs. 3.10 lakh as remuneration from UltraTech Cement Limited during FY 2025-26, entirely comprising sitting fees for attending Board and committee meetings. Birla did not receive any salary, allowances, employee benefits or commission from UltraTech Cement during the financial year, according to its Integrated and Sustainability Report 2025-26.
Appointment and Board Position
Kumar Mangalam Birla was appointed to the Board of UltraTech Cement on May 14, 2004. He serves as Chairman and Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director. According to the annual report, his tenure with the company was approximately 22 years. His term is liable to retirement by rotation under applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kumar Mangalam Birla |
| Designation | Chairman |
| Director category | Non-Executive, Non-Independent |
| Date of appointment | May 14, 2004 |
| Tenure | Approximately 22 years |
| Age | 58 years |
| DIN | 00012813 |
| Term | Liable to retire by rotation |
| Shares held | 6,11,500 equity shares |
Remuneration from UltraTech Cement
No Commission Paid to Birla
UltraTech Cement’s Board recommended total commission of Rs. 16 crore for its eligible Non-Executive Directors for FY 2025-26. However, no commission was reported as payable to Kumar Mangalam Birla. The company reported commissions for several other Non-Executive Directors based on their responsibilities, strategic contributions, committee roles and performance evaluations.
UltraTech classified the percentage increase in Birla’s remuneration as “Not Applicable”. It also did not provide a ratio between his remuneration and the median remuneration of company employees. UltraTech paid Birla Rs. 2.50 lakh for attending five Board meetings and Rs. 60,000 for attending three meetings of the Nomination, Remuneration and Compensation Committee.
| Remuneration component | FY 2025-26 |
| Board meeting sitting fees | Rs. 2.50 lakh |
| Committee meeting fees | Rs. 60,000 |
| Commission | Nil |
| Salary and other benefits | Nil |
| Total remuneration | Rs. 3.10 lakh |
The company classified the percentage increase in his remuneration as “Not Applicable” and did not provide a ratio against the median remuneration of employees.
Shares Held by Promoters
Birla’s direct shareholding in UltraTech Cement increased during FY 2025-26. He held 6,11,500 equity shares, representing 0.208% of the company’s total share capital, as of March 31, 2026. This compared with 2,84,390 shares, or approximately 0.097%, at the end of the preceding financial year. His holding consequently increased by 3,27,110 shares during FY26. Grasim Industries Limited, the principal promoter entity, held 16,53,35,150 shares, representing 56.107% of UltraTech Cement’s equity.
| Promoter | Shares held on March 31, 2026 | Shareholding |
| Kumar Mangalam Birla | 6,11,500 | 0.208% |
| Grasim Industries Limited | 16,53,35,150 | 56.107% |
| Total promoter holding | 16,59,46,650 | 56.314% |
The total promoter holding increased from 56.204% at the end of FY 2024-25 to 56.314% as of March 31, 2026.
Corporate Governance Role
As Chairman, Birla provides strategic leadership to UltraTech Cement’s Board. He is also a member of the company’s Nomination, Remuneration and Compensation Committee. The committee reviews leadership appointments, succession planning, Board composition and remuneration policies for directors, senior management and key managerial personnel.
UltraTech said remuneration-related decisions are governed by its Board-approved remuneration policy and applicable shareholder approvals. The company also affirmed that remuneration paid during the year complied with its policy for directors, key managerial personnel and employees. The disclosed Rs. 3.10 lakh represents only Birla’s remuneration from UltraTech Cement Limited. It does not reflect his earnings, sitting fees, commissions or other remuneration from other Aditya Birla Group companies.
Kumar Mangalam Birla – Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group
Kumar Mangalam Birla is Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, which operates across 41 countries on six continents. A chartered accountant, he holds an MBA from the London Business School. During more than three decades at the helm of the group, Birla has overseen its expansion across cement, metals, chemicals, textiles, financial services, fashion, real estate and renewable energy. UltraTech said the group’s turnover increased more than 30 times under his leadership.
He has led over 60 acquisitions in India and internationally and chairs the Boards of the Aditya Birla Group’s major companies. Birla previously served as a Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India. He also chaired the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s Committee on Corporate Governance, which framed India’s first corporate governance code.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2023. The Economic Times named him “Business Leader of the Year” three times, most recently in 2025. Birla is Chancellor of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science and serves on the Board of the London Business School. His areas of expertise include corporate governance, financial literacy, general management, human resources, industry knowledge, technology, marketing, risk management, strategy and sustainability.
Source: UltraTech Cement Limited, Integrated and Sustainability Report 2025-26.
