Aster DM Healthcare Limited has received an order from the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Hyderabad Bench, to convene meetings of its shareholders and unsecured trade creditors to seek approval for the proposed merger with Quality Care India Ltd (QCIL), in what is among the largest consolidation moves in India’s hospital sector. The meetings will be scheduled for a date between February 27, 2026 and March 13, 2026, marking a key procedural milestone in the transaction.
The scheme of merger has thus progressed to the stakeholder approval stage following receipt of clearance from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and “no-objection” letters from the stock exchanges. Subject to shareholder, creditor and remaining regulatory approvals, as well as fulfilment of other conditions precedent, the company expects to complete the merger process by the first quarter of FY2026–27.
Post-merger, the combined entity will operate under the name Aster DM Quality Care Limited, promoted by Aster Promoters and Blackstone, bringing together the networks and capabilities of two leading healthcare platforms with a shared vision of expanding access to high-quality medical care across India. The merged company is expected to become one of India’s top three hospital chains, with a combined bed capacity of over 10,360 beds across multiple states and cities. As of September 30, 2025, Aster DM Healthcare operated more than 5,195 beds and Quality Care India operated around 5,165 beds, and the group has outlined plans to increase total capacity to approximately 14,715+ beds over the coming years.
The enlarged platform will house four established hospital brands—Aster DM, CARE Hospitals, KIMSHEALTH and Evercare—enabling the group to serve a broad spectrum of geographies and patient segments through a diversified portfolio. With the added scale and presence, Aster DM Quality Care intends to explore higher investments in advanced medical technologies and digital health platforms, aimed at driving innovation and creating a more integrated, seamless patient experience.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder & Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, said the NCLT order represents “significant progress” in the merger process and expressed confidence in securing shareholders’ and unsecured creditors’ approval pursuant to the tribunal’s directions. He noted that the group remains focused on a disciplined integration strategy that leverages the complementary networks, clinical expertise and operational strengths of Aster and Quality Care, to scale efficiently, enhancing clinical excellence and accelerating innovation to deliver better access and outcomes for patients nationwide.
