G. Terms/Rights attached to equity shares

The Company has one class of equity shares having a par value of ' 2 per share. Each equity shareholder is eligible for one vote per share held. Each equity shareholder is entitled to dividend as and when declared by the Company. Interim dividend is paid as and when declared by the Board. Final dividend is paid after obtaining shareholders' approval. Dividends are paid in Indian Rupees. In the event of liquidation, the equity shareholders are eligible to receive the remaining assets of the Company after distribution of all preferential amount in proportion to their shareholding.

(4) The carrying value as on March 31, 2024 is Nil as the repayment is made as on due date. The Company has complied with the financial covenant as p the terms of the loan agreement.

(5) Commercial Papers as on March 31, 2024 is Nil. During the year, average effective interest rate was 7.78% p.a. (March 31, 2023: 7.19% p.a).

(6) Working Capital Loans from banks carry an interest rate linked with benchmark rates (MCLR/Repo) plus spread. During the year, average effective interest rate was 7.94% p.a. (March 31, 2023: 7.10% p.a). Outstanding WCDL is repayable in 7 days.

(7) Repurchase liability as on March 31, 2024 are secured by current investments amounting to ' 2033 Crore and are repayable in 365 days (March 31, 2023: 102 to 109 days) from the date of borrowings through repurchase obligation. During the year, average effective interest rate was 8.43% p.a. (March 31, 2023: 7.63% p.a.).

(1) The provision for restoration, rehabilitation and environmental cost represents the Company's best estimate of the costs which will be incurred in the future to meet the obligations under the laws of the land and the terms referred to in the Company's mining arrangements. The principal restoration, rehabilitation and environmental provisions are the costs, which are expected to be incurred in restoring at the end of life of these mines at Rampura Agucha, Rajpura Dariba, Zawar Mines, Sindesar Khurd and Kayad.

(2) Provision for decommissioning is created to meet the obligation at decommissioned smelting facility at Vizag location basis an independent technical evaluation.

(1) Statutory and other liabilities mainly includes TDS, Goods and Services Tax (GST), contribution to PF, amount payable to District Mineral Fund (DMF), National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) etc.

(2) Represents government assistance in the form of the duty benefit availed under Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme on purchase of plant and equipments accounted for as government grant and being amortised over the useful life of such assets.

(3) Advance from customers are contract liabilities and include amounts received under short term supply agreements. The advance payment plus a fixed rate of return/discount will be settled by supplying respective commodity over a period up to twelve months under an agreed delivery schedule as per the terms of the respective agreements. As these are contracts that the Company expects, and has the ability, to fulfil through delivery of a nonfinancial item, these are recognised as advance from customers and will be released to the income statement as respective commodity is delivered under the agreements. The amount of such balances as of April 01, 2022 was ' 252 Crore. Changes in contract liabilities are either due to receipt of fresh advances or revenues recognised as detailed in note 21A.

(1) Revenue is shown exclusive of GST and other indirect taxes, as these collections are not an inflow on entity's own account, rather it is collected on behalf of government authorities.

The above revenue from operations for the year ended March 31,2024 comprises of revenue from contracts with customers of ' 29,493 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 34,252 Crore) and a net loss on mark to market of ' 1,409 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 980 Crore) on account of gains/losses relating to sales that were provisionally priced as at the beginning of the year with the final price settled in the current year, gains/losses relating to sales fully priced during the year, and marked to market gains/losses relating to sales that were provisionally priced as at the end of the year. Entire revenue from contract with customers is recorded at a point in time and includes ' 461 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 252 Crore) for which contract liabilities existed at the beginning of the year. Majority of the Company's sales are against advance or are against letters of credit/cash against documents/guarantees of banks of national standing. Where sales are made on credit, the amount of consideration does not contain any significant financing component as payment terms are within six months.

The Code on Social Security, 2020 (‘Code') relating to employee benefits during employment and post-employment benefits received Presidential assent in September, 2020. The Code has been published in the Gazette of India. However, the date on which the Code will come into effect has not been notified and the final rules/interpretation have not yet been issued. The Company will assess the impact of the Code when it comes into effect and will record any related impact in the period the Code becomes effective.

(1) Includes corporate social responsibility expenditure of ' 5 Crore and ' 20 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 4 Crore and ' 15 Crore) towards salaries, wages and bonus and Company run schools & hospitals respectively (refer note 33).

(2) The Company introduced an Employee Stock Option Scheme 2016 (“ESOS”), which was approved by the Vedanta Limited shareholders to provide equity settled incentive to all employees of the Company including subsidiary companies. The ESOS scheme includes tenure based, business performance based and market performance based stock options. The maximum value of options that can be awarded to members of the wider management group is calculated by reference to the grade average cost-to-company ("CTC") and individual grade of the employee. The performance conditions attached to the option is measured by comparing Company's performance in terms of Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") over the performance period with the performance of two group of comparator companies (i.e. Indian and global comparator companies) defined in the scheme. The extent to which an option vests will depend on the Company's TSR rank against a group or groups of peer companies at the end of the performance period and as moderated by the Remuneration Committee. The ESOS schemes are administered through VESOS trust and have underlying Vedanta Limited equity shares. Options granted during the year ended March 31, 2024 and year ended March 31, 2023 includes business performance based, sustained individual performance based, management discretion and fatality multiplier based stock options. Business performances will be measured using Volume, Cost, Net Sales Realisation, EBITDA, Free Cash Flows, ESG and Carbon footprint or a combination of these for the respective business/ SBU entities. The exercise price of the options is ' 1 per share and the performance period is three years, with no re-testing being allowed.

Further, in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the Parent and the Company, the cost recognised towards ESOS scheme is recovered by the Parent from the Company.

(2) During the previous year, the Audit & Risk Management Committee and Board of Directors of the Company had approved payment towards strategic services and brand fees to Vedanta Limited (“Holding company”) at 2% of the consolidated turnover of the Company effective from October 01, 2022.

(3) Consequent to the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2021 (“the Rules”), the Company, during the previous year, had transferred its CSR assets having a carrying value of ' 117 crore after obtaining required regulatory approvals as on the date of transfer to a company incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. The carrying value of these assets was included as CSR expense in the financial statements owing to such transfer (see note 5(1)).

(4) Target plus scheme(“TPS”) as a part of foreign trade policy was announced on August 31, 2004 w.e.f. April 01, 2004, with an objective of accelerating growth in exports. Pursuant to this scheme, Vedanta Limited (“erstwhile Sterlite Industries Ltd.”)(Holding Company) had applied for TPS scrips of value of ' 306 Crore. However, certain retrospective amendments in this scheme were made by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (‘DGFT') resulting in reduction in these scrips value by ' 216 Crore in which HZL had a share of ' 48 Crore. This was challenged by the Holding Company in the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Basis the favourable judgements from the Hon'ble Supreme Court, HZL had recognised an income of ' 48 Crore as an export incentive recoverable in December 2015 . However, during FY 2020-21, the TPS scrips of value of ' 216 Crore were issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (‘DGFT') in the name of Vedanta Limited(“Holding Company”) basis which, the export incentive recoverable was reclassified to recoverable from Vedanta Limited. The Company had realised ' 20 Crore from Vedanta Limited on the basis of proportionate scrips utilization by Vedanta Limited and had created a provision of remaining ' 28 Crore considering the expiry of the utilization timeline for these scrips till February 24, 2023 and no favorable outcome of the petition filed by the Holding Company in the Hon'ble Supreme Court for extension of the utilization timeline.

(5) Includes donation of ' 25 Crore (March 31, 2023: Nil) to Bharatiya Janata Party during the year.

(1) Future cash out flows in respect of the above matters are determinable only on receipt ofjudgments or decisions pending at various forums. Accordingly interest and penalty where applicable will be additionally payable.

(2) The Department of Mines and Geology of the State of Rajasthan issued several show cause notices in August, September and October 2006 to HZL, amounting to ' 334 Crore. These notices alleged unlawful occupation and unauthorised mining of associated minerals other than zinc and lead at HZL's Rampura Agucha, Rajpura Dariba and Zawar mines in Rajasthan during the period from July 1968 to March 2006. HZL believes that the likelihood of this claim is not probable and thus no provision has been made in the financial statements. HZL had filed writ petitions in the High Court of Rajasthan in Jodhpur and had obtained a stay in respect of these demands. The High Court restrained the Department of Mines and Geology from undertaking any coercive measures to recover the penalty. In January 2007, the High Court issued another order granting the Department of Mines and Geology additional time to file their reply and also ordered the Department of Mines and Geology not to issue any order cancelling the lease. Affidavit of the Central Government is awaited. The State Government filed for an early hearing application in the High Court. The High Court has passed an order rejecting the application stating that Central Government should file their replies.

(3) The State of Rajasthan issued a notification in June 2008 notifying the Rajasthan Environment and Health Cess Rules, 2008, imposing environment and health cess on major minerals including lead and zinc. HZL and other mine operators resisted this notification and the imposition thereunder before the High Court of Rajasthan on the ground that the imposition of such cess and all matters relating to the environment fall under the jurisdiction of the Central government as opposed to the State government. In October 2011, the High Court of Rajasthan disposed the writ petitions and held the Rajasthan Environment and Cess Rules, 2008 that impose a levy of cess on minerals, as being constitutionally valid. An amount of ' 150 per metric ton of ore produced would be attracted under the Statute if it is held to be valid. HZL challenged this order by a special leave petition in December 2011 before the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court of India issued a notice for stay. Further direction was issued by the Supreme Court on March 23, 2012 not to take any coercive action against HZL for recovery of cess. The aforementioned notification was rescinded via notification dated January 06, 2017, and hence no further obligation exists after that date. The matter is pending for final hearing.

(4) Various demands raised on the Company towards CENVAT, service tax, excise, customs, sales tax and GST for FY 1991-92 to 2017-18. The Company has paid an amount of ' 19 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 19 Crore) against these demands under protest and is confident of the liability not devolving on the Company.

b. The Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) of the State of Rajasthan initiated the royalty assessment process from January 2008 to 2019 on certain question of law and issued a show cause notice vide an office order dated January 31, 2020 amounting to ' 1,925 Crore. Further an additional demand was issued vide an office order dated December 14, 2020 for ' 311 Crore on similar questions of law. The Company has challenged (the show cause notice or/and) computation mechanism of the royalty on the ground that the state has not complied with the previous orders of Rajasthan High court where a similar computation mechanism was challenged and court had directed DMG to reassess basis the judicial precedents and mining concession rules. Pending compliance of previous orders, High court has granted a stay on the notice and directed DMG not to take any coercive action. State Government has also been directed to not take any coercive action in order to recover such miscomputed dues. Inspite of the High court stay order, the State Government raised a revised demand of ' 1,423 Crore vide order dated March 16, 2022 for the same period. The Company challenged this notice before the Revisionary Authority(“RA”) and also moved an application in RA against the earlier demand raised by DMG for recovery of ' 311 Crore. RA has granted a stay on the recovery of ' 1,423 Crore vide its order dated June 15, 2022, and on the recovery of ' 311 Crore, vide its order dated September 07, 2022 respectively. Based on the opinion of external counsel, the Company believes that it has strong grounds of a successful appeal.

c. Commitments

Estimated amount of contracts remaining to be executed on capital account and not provided for ' 2,381 Crore (March 31,2023: ' 1,924 Crore).

d. Other Commitments

(i) During the previous year, the Company had entered into Power delivery agreement (‘PDA’) with Serentica Renewables India 4 Private Limited (‘Serentica 4’) for sourcing of 200 MW (contracted capacity) renewable power on round the clock (‘RTC’) basis under group captive arrangement for 25 years. Under the terms of the PDA, the Company is expected to infuse equity of ' 350 Crore for a minimum of twenty six percent in Serentica 4. During the current year, the Company has made an investment of ' 175 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 105 Crore) in Optionally Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares (‘OCRPS’) and pending committed investment of ' 70 Crore to be made basis fulfilment of conditions of the PDA. Out of the total investment, ' 56 Crore worth of OCPRS are converted into equity shares of Serentica 4 as per terms of the PDA. The company has pledged all of its investments in SRI4PL for financing the project as per the terms of the PDA (see note 9).

Further during the previous year, the Company had entered into Power delivery agreement (‘PDA’) with Serentica Renewables India 5 Private Limited (‘Serentica 5’) for sourcing of 250 MW (contracted capacity) renewable power on round the clock (‘RTC’) basis under group captive arrangement for 25 years. Under the terms of the PDA, the Company is expected to infuse equity of approximately ' 438 Crore for a minimum of twenty six percent in Serentica 5. During the current year, the Company has made an investment of approximately ' 131 Crore (March 31, 2023: Nil) in Optionally Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares (‘OCRPS’) and pending committed investment of approximately ' 307 Crore to be made basis fulfilment of conditions of the PDA. Out of the total investment, ' 33 Crore worth of OCPRS are converted into equity shares of Serentica 5 as per terms of the PDA (see note 9).

(ii) The company has given Letter of Comfort and also assigned its bank limits to its wholly owned subsidiary Hindustan Zinc Alloys Private Limited (“HZAPL”) primarily in respect of certain working capital needs and short-term borrowings amounting to ' 66 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 81 Crore).

(iii) During the previous year, the Company under its Corporate Social Responsibilities (‘CSR’) initiative had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (‘MOU’) with Rajasthan Cricket Association (‘RCA’) for development of international cricket stadium at Jaipur (Rajasthan). As per the terms of MOU, the Company has committed to contribute ' 300 Crore against which ' 55 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 5 Crore) has been contributed in the current year.

(iii) Export obligations

The Company has Nil export obligations (March 31, 2023: Nil) on account of concessional rates of import duties paid on capital goods under the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme enacted by the Government of India (which is required to be fulfilled over the next six years from purchase). The Company has given bonds of ' 441 crore (March 31, 2023: ' 400 crore) to custom authorities against export obligations which will be released subject to verification of EODC (Export obligation discharge certificate) by the Customs department.

30. RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SCHEMES

a. Defined contribution schemes Family Pension Scheme

The contributions are based on a fixed percentage of the employee's salary, subject to a ceiling, as prescribed in the scheme. A sum of ' 5 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 5 Crore) has been charged to the Statement of Profit and Loss during the year. There are no further obligations on the Company.

Superannuation fund

A sum of ' 4 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 3 Crore) has been charged to the Statement of Profit and Loss in respect to contributions made to the superannuation fund. The Company has no further obligations to the plan beyond the monthly contributions.

b. Defined benefit plans

For defined benefit schemes, the cost of providing benefits under the plans is determined by actuarial valuation each year for the plan using the projected unit credit method by independent qualified actuaries as at the year end. Remeasurements in the year are recognized in full in other comprehensive income for the year.

Provident fund

The Company offers its employees, benefits under defined benefit plans in the form of provident fund scheme which covers all employees. Contributions are paid during the year into ‘Hindustan Zinc Limited Employee's Contributory Provident Fund' (‘Trust'). Both the employees and the Company pay predetermined contributions into the Trust. A sum of ' 32 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 28 Crore) has been charged to the Statement of Profit and Loss in this respect during the year.

The company's Trust is exempted under section 17 of Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952. The conditions for grant of exemption stipulate that the employer shall make good the deficiency, if any, between the return guaranteed by the statute and actual earning of the Trust. The company has made a provision of ' 10 Crore in this regard in the current year. During the previous year, the company had made good the deficiency of ' 17 Crore. Having regard to the assets of the Trust and the return on the investments, the Company does not expect any deficiency in the foreseeable future, except for investments in debt securities of IL&FS Limited and IL&FS Financial Services Ltd. for which necessary provisions exists.

The above sensitivity analysis may not be representative of the actual benefit obligation as it is unlikely that the change in assumptions would occur in isolation of one another as some of the assumptions may be correlated.

In presenting the above sensitivity analysis, the present value of defined benefit obligation has been calculated using the projected unit credit method at the end of reporting period, which is the same as that applied in calculating the defined obligation liability recognized in the balance sheet.

Sensitivity analysis

Below is the sensitivity analysis determined for significant actuarial assumptions for the determination of defined benefit obligations and based on reasonably possible changes of the respective assumptions occurring at the end of the reporting period while holding all other assumptions constant.

Risk analysis

The Company is exposed to a number of risks in the defined benefit plans. Most significant risks pertaining to defined benefits plans and management estimation of the impact of these risks are as follows:

Investment risk

The Company's defined benefit plans are funded with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The Company does not have any liberty to manage the fund provided to LIC. The present value of the defined benefit plan liability is calculated using a discount rate determined by reference to Government of India bonds for the Company's operations. If the return on plan asset is below this rate, it will create a plan deficit.

Interest risk

A decrease in the interest rate on plan assets will increase the plan liability, however this will be partially offset by increase in the return on plan debt investment.

Longevity risk/Life expectancy

The present value of the defined benefit plan liability is calculated by reference to the best estimate of the mortality of plan participants both during and at the end of the employment. An increase in the life expectancy of the plan participants will increase the plan liability.

Salary growth risk

The present value of the defined benefit plan liability is calculated by reference to the future salaries of plan participants. An increase in the salary of the plan participants will increase the plan liability.

(i) The Company has decided to opt for lower tax rate as permitted under section 115BAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 from Financial Year 2023-24.

(ii) The tax department had issued demands on account of remeasurement of certain tax incentives, under section 80IA and 80IC of the Income-tax Act, 1961. During the year ended March 31, 2020, based on the favorable orders from Income Tax Appellate Tribunal relating to AY 09-10 to AY 12-13, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has allowed these claims for AY 14-15 to AY 15-16, which were earlier disallowed and has granted refund of amounts deposited under protest. Against the Tribunal order, the department had filed an appeal in Hon'ble Rajasthan High Court in financial year 17-18 (for AY 2009-10 to AY 2012-13) and in FY 2023-24 (for AY 2017-18 and AY 2018-19) which are yet to be admitted. As per the view of external legal counsel, Department's appeal seeks re-examination of facts rather than raising any substantial question of law and hence it is unlikely that appeal will be admitted by the High Court. Accordingly, there is a high probability that the case will go in favor of the Company. The amount involved in this dispute as of March 31, 2024 is ' 12,447 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 12,447 Crore) plus applicable interest upto the date of settlement of the dispute.

34. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

This section gives an overview of the significance of financial instruments for the Company and provides additional information on the balance sheet. Details of significant accounting policies, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognized, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 2 and note 3.

Fair value of the current instrument in bonds and zero coupon bonds are based on the price quotations at the reporting date. Fair value of current investments that are in the nature of ‘close ended' mutual funds are based on market observable inputs i.e., NAV provided by mutual fund houses [a level 2 technique].

Fair value of current investments that are in the nature of ‘open ended' mutual funds are derived from quoted market prices in active markets [a level 1 technique].

Fair value of non-current investments that are in the nature of ‘Investment in OCRPS and Equity shares' are derived from Net asset value method [a level 3 technique].

The Fair value of other non-current financial assets and liabilities are estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using a discount rate equivalent to the risk free rate of return adjusted for the appropriate credit spread.

The Company enters into derivative financial instruments with various counterparties, principally financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued using valuation technique with market observable inputs. The most frequently applied valuation techniques for such derivatives include forward pricing using present value calculations. The models incorporate various inputs including the credit quality of counterparties, foreign exchange spot and forward rates, yield curves of the respective currencies, currency basis spreads between the respective currencies, interest rate curves and forward rate curves of the underlying currency (a level 2 technique). Commodity contracts are valued using the forward LME rates of commodities actively traded on the listed metal exchange i.e., London Metal Exchange, United Kingdom (U.K.) [a level 2 technique]. The changes in counterparty risk had no material effect on the hedge effectiveness assessment for the derivatives designated in hedge relationship and the value of the other financial instrument recognised at fair value.

Fair value hierarchy

The table shown below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by measurement hierarchy. The different levels have been defined below:

- Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

- Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices).

- Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

Valuation process for instruments categorised in level 3:

The management of the Company engaged a qualified third party valuer to perform the valuation. Team from the finance department of the Company works closely with valuer to establish appropriate valuation technique and inputs required for the valuation.

Valuation technique used for valuation of financial instruments in level 3:

Valution of preference and equity shares in level 3 are done primarily based on net worth of the company using net asset method approach making assumptions about unobservable market data.

Risk management framework Risk management

The Company's businesses are subject to several risks and uncertainties including financial risks. The Company's documented risk management polices act as an effective tool in mitigating the various financial risks to which the business is exposed to in the course of their daily operations. The risk management policies cover areas such as liquidity risk, commodity price risk, foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, counterparty and concentration of credit risk and capital management. Risks are identified through a formal risk management programme with active involvement of senior management personnel and business managers. Each significant risk has a designated ‘owner' within the Company at an appropriate senior level. The potential financial impact of the risk and its likelihood of a negative outcome are regularly updated.

The risk management process is coordinated by the Management Assurance function and is regularly reviewed by the Company's Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is aided by the Risk Management Committee, which meets regularly to review risks as well as the progress against the planned actions. Key business decisions are discussed at the periodic meetings of the Executive Committee. The overall internal control environment and risk management programme including financial risk management is reviewed by the Audit Committee on behalf of the Board.

The risk management framework aims to:

• improve financial risk awareness and risk transparency

• identify, control and monitor key risks

• identify risk accumulations

• provide management with reliable information on the Company's risk situation

• improve financial returns

Treasury management

The Company's treasury function provides services to the business, co-ordinates access to domestic financial markets, monitors and manages the financial risks relating to the operations of the Company through internal risk reports which analyse exposures by degree and magnitude of risks. These risks include market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow interest rate risk.

Treasury management focuses on capital protection, liquidity maintenance and yield maximization. The treasury policies are approved by the Board and adherence to these policies is strictly monitored at the Executive Committee meetings. Day-to-day treasury operations of the Company are managed by the finance team within the framework of the overall Company's treasury policies. A monthly reporting system exists to inform senior management about investments, currency and, commodity derivatives. The Company has a strong system of internal control which enables effective monitoring of adherence to Company's policies. The internal control measures are effectively supplemented by regular internal audits.

The Company uses derivative instruments as part of its management of exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. The Company does not acquire or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company does not enter into complex derivative transactions to manage the treasury and commodity risks. Both treasury and commodities derivative transactions are normally in the form of forwards and these are subject to the Company's guidelines and policies.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk comprises interest rate risk, currency risk and commodity risk. Financial instruments affected by market risk include loans and borrowings, deposits, FVTOCI investments and derivative financial instruments.

The sensitivity analyses in the following sections relate to the position as at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023. The sensitivity analyses have been prepared on the basis that the amount of net debt, the ratio of fixed interest rates of the debt and derivatives and the proportion of financial instruments in foreign currencies are all constant. The analyses exclude the impact of movements in market variables on the carrying values of gratuity and other post-retirement obligations, provisions, and the non-financial assets and liabilities of foreign operations.

Commodity price risk

The Company is exposed to the movement of base metal commodity prices on the London Metal Exchange. Any decline in the prices of the base metals that the Company produces and sells will have an immediate and direct impact on the profitability of the businesses. As a general policy, the Company aims to achieve the monthly average of the commodity prices for sales realization. In exceptional circumstances, the Company may enter into strategic hedging. Hedging is used primarily as a risk management tool and, in some cases, to secure future cash flows in cases of high volatility by entering into forward contracts or similar instruments. The hedging activities are subject to strict limits set out by the Board and to a strictly defined internal control and monitoring mechanism. Decisions relating to hedging of commodities are taken at the Executive Committee level and with clearly laid down guidelines for their implementation by the Company.

Whilst the Company aims to achieve average LME prices for a month or a year, average realized prices may not necessarily reflect the LME price movements because of a variety of reasons such as uneven sales during the year and timing of shipments.

Financial instruments with commodity price risk are entered into in relation to following activities:

• economic hedging of prices realized on commodity contracts.

• cash flow hedging on account of forecasted highly probable transactions.

The sales prices of zinc, lead and silver are linked to the LME and LBMA prices. The Company also enters into hedging arrangements for its zinc, lead and silver sales to realize month of sale LME and LBMA prices.

Total exposure on provisionally priced zinc, lead & silver contracts as at March 31, 2024 were ' 30 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 837 Crore), ' 181 Crore (March 31, 2023: ' 110 Crore) and Nil (March 31, 2023: Nil) respectively. The impact on net profits for a 10% movement in LME prices of zinc, 5% movement in LME price of lead and 5% movement in LBMA price of silver that were provisionally priced as at March 31, 2024 is ' 3 Crore, ' 9 Crore, Nil respectively and as at March 31, 2023 is ' 84 Crore, ' 6 Crore and Nil respectively.

Financial risk

The Company's Board approved financial risk policies comprise liquidity, currency, interest rate and counterparty risk. The Company does not engage in speculative treasury activity but seeks to manage risk and optimize interest and commodity pricing through proven financial instruments.

a. Liquidity risk

The Company requires funds both for short-term operational needs as well as for long-term investment programme mainly in growth projects. The Company generates sufficient cash flows from the current operations which together with the available cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments provide liquidity both in the short-term as well as in the long-term.

The Company has been rated as ‘AAA'/Stable for long term and A1 for short term by CRISIL Limited during the current and previous financial years.

The Company remains committed to maintaining a healthy liquidity, gearing ratio and strengthening the balance sheet. The maturity profile of the Company's financial liabilities based on the remaining period from the date of balance sheet to the contractual maturity date is given in the table below. The figures reflect the contractual undiscounted cash obligation of the Company.

The Company's exposure to foreign currency arises where a Company holds monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different to the functional currency of the Company, with US dollar and Euro being the major non-functional currency. The value of a financial instrument may change as a result of changes in the interest rates, foreign currency exchange rate, liquidity and other market changes.

The results of Company operations may be affected largely by fluctuations in the exchange rates between the Indian Rupee, against the US dollar and Euro. The foreign exchange rate sensitivity is calculated by the aggregation of the net foreign exchange rate exposure with a simultaneous parallel foreign exchange rate shift in the currencies by 10% against the functional currency of the respective entities.

Set out below is the impact of a 10% strengthening/weakening in the INR on pre-tax profit/(loss) arising as a result of the revaluation of the Company's foreign currency financial assets/liabilities:

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rate. The Company's exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Company's short-term debt obligations.

Considering the net debt position as at March 31, 2024 and the investment in bonds and debt mutual funds, any increase in interest rates would result in a net decrease in profits and any decrease in interest rates would result in a net increase in profits. The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for both derivative and non-derivative instruments at the balance sheet date.

The below analysis gives the impact of a 0.5% to 2.0% change in interest rates on floating rate financial assets/liabilities (net) on profit/(loss) and equity and represents management's assessment of the possible change in interest rates.

The impact of change (increase/(decrease)) in interest rate of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% on profits for the period ended March 31, 2024 is ' 26 Crore, ' 53 Crore and ' 105 Crore and for year ended March 31, 2023 is ' 10 Crore, ' 20 Crore and ' 40 Crore respectively.

d. Counterparty and concentration of credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Company. The Company has adopted a policy of obtaining sufficient collateral, where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. The Company is exposed to credit risk for receivables, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and derivative financial instruments. Credit risk on receivables is limited as almost all credit sales are against letters of credit and guarantees of banks of good financial repute.

Moreover, given the nature of the Company's business, trade receivables are spread over a number of customers with no significant concentration of credit risk. No single customer accounted for 10% or more of revenue on a % basis in current year (Previous year: None). The history of trade receivables shows a negligible provision for bad and doubtful debts. Therefore, the Company does not expect any material risk on account of non-performance by any of the Company's counterparties.

For short-term investments, counterparty limits are in place to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one counterparty. For derivative and financial instruments, the Company attempts to limit the credit risk by only dealing with reputable banks and financial institutions having high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. Defined limits are in place for exposure to individual counterparties in case of mutual funds schemes and bonds.

The carrying value of the financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The Company's maximum exposure to credit risk as at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 are ' 11,497 Crore and ' 12,222 Crore respectively.

None of the Company's cash equivalents, including time deposits with banks, are past due or impaired. Regarding trade and other receivables, and other non-current assets, there were no indications as at March 31, 2024, that defaults in payment obligations will occur.

Of the year end trade receivables, loans and other financial assets, following balances were past due but not impaired as at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023:

Receivables are deemed to be past due or impaired with reference to the Company's normal terms and conditions of business. These terms and conditions are determined on a case to case basis with reference to the customer's credit quality and prevailing market conditions. Receivables that are classified as ‘past due' in the above tables are those that have not been settled within the terms and conditions that have been agreed with that customer.

The credit quality of the Company's customers is monitored on an on-going basis and assessed for impairment where indicators of such impairment exist. The solvency of the debtor and their ability to repay the receivable is considered in assessing receivables for impairment. Where receivables have been impaired, the Company actively seeks to recover the amounts in question and enforce compliance with credit terms.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company does not acquire or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company does not enter into complex derivative transactions to manage the treasury and commodity risks. Both treasury and commodities derivative transactions are normally in the form of forward contracts and these are subject to the Company guidelines and policies.

All derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value based on quotations obtained from financial institutions or brokers. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.

The fair values of all derivatives are separately recorded in the balance sheet within current assets and liabilities/reserves. Derivatives that are designated as hedges are classified as current depending on the maturity of the derivative.

The use of derivatives can give rise to credit and market risk. The Company tries to manage credit risk by entering into contracts with reputable banks and financial institutions. The use of derivative instruments is subject to limits, authorities and regular monitoring by appropriate levels of management. The limits, authorities and monitoring systems are periodically reviewed by management and the Board. The market risk on derivatives is mitigated by changes in the valuation of the underlying assets, liabilities or transactions, as derivatives are used only for risk management purposes.

Embedded derivatives

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other contracts are treated as separate derivative contracts and marked-to-market when their risks and characteristics are not clearly and closely related to those of their host contracts and the host contracts are not fair valued.

Cash flow hedges

The Company also enters into commodity price contracts for hedging highly probable future forecast transaction and account for them as cash flow hedges and states them at fair value. Subsequent changes in fair value are recognized in equity through OCI until the hedged transaction occurs, at which time, the respective gains or losses are reclassified to the Statement of Profit and Loss.

There is an economic relationship between the hedged items and the hedging instruments. The Company has established a hedge ratio of 1:1 for the hedging relationships. To test the hedge effectiveness, the Company uses the hypothetical derivative method and Dollar offset method.

The hedge ineffectiveness can arise from:

• Differences in the timing of the cash flows of the hedged items and the hedging instruments.

• Different indexes (and accordingly different curves) linked to the hedged risk of the hedged items and hedging instruments.

• The counterparties' credit risk differently impacting the fair value movements of the hedging instruments and hedged items.

• Changes to the forecasted amount of cash flows of hedged items and hedging instruments.

These hedges had been effective for the year ended March 31, 2023.

Fair value hedges

The fair value hedges relate to commodity price risks and foreign currency exposure. The Company's sales are on a quotational period basis, generally one month to three months after the date of delivery at a customer's facility. The Company enters into forward contracts for the respective quotational period to hedge its commodity price risk based on average LME prices. Gains and losses on these hedge transactions are substantially offset by the amount of gains or losses on the underlying sales.There were no fair value hedges for the period ended March 31, 2024.

Non-qualifying/economic hedges

Non-qualifying hedges related to commodity price risks and foreign currency exposure. The Company enters into forward foreign currency contracts and commodity contracts (for the period ended March 31, 2024) which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, but provide an economic hedge of a particular transaction risk or a risk component of a transaction. Fair value changes on such forward contracts are recognized in the Statement of Profit and Loss.

The fair value of the Company's derivative positions recorded under derivative financial assets and derivative financial liabilities are as follows:

35. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Company's objectives when managing capital is to safeguard, maintain a strong credit rating and healthy capital ratios in order to support its business and provide adequate return to shareholders through continuing growth. The Company's overall strategy remains unchanged from previous year. The Company sets the amount of capital required on the basis of annual business and long-term operating plans which include capital and other strategic investments. The funding requirements are met through a mixture of internal accruals, equity and short-term borrowings. The Company monitors capital on the basis of gearing ratio, which is net debt divided by total capital (equity net debt). Net debt are non-current and current debt as reduced by cash and cash equivalents, other bank balances , current investments and certain non-current investments. Equity comprises all components including other components of equity. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirement.

*Target plus scheme("TPS") as a part of foreign trade policy was announced on August 31, 2004 w.e.f. April 01, 2004, with an objective of accelerating growth in exports. Pursuant to this scheme, Vedanta Limited ("erstwhile Sterlite Industries Ltd.”)(Holding Company) had applied for TPS scrips of value of ' 306 Crore. However, certain retrospective amendments in this scheme were made by Directorate General of Foreign Trade ('DGFT') resulting in reduction in these scrips value by ' 216 Crore in which HZL had a share of ' 48 Crore. This was challenged by the Holding Company in the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Basis the favourable judgements from the Hon'ble Supreme Court, HZL had recognised an income of ' 48 Crore as an export incentive recoverable in December 2015 . However, during FY 2020-21, the TPS scrips of value of ' 216 Crore were issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade ('DGFT') in the name of Vedanta Limited("Holding Company") basis which, the export incentive recoverable was reclassified to recoverable from Vedanta Limited. The Company has realised ' 20 Crore from Vedanta Limited on the basis of proportionate scrips utilization by Vedanta Limited and has created a provision of remaining ' 28 Crore considering the expiry of the utilization timeline for these scrips till February 24, 2023 and no favorable outcome of the petition filed by the Holding Company in the Hon'ble Supreme Court for extension of the utilization timeline (see note 27(4)).

f. Terms and conditions of related party transactions:

The transactions from related parties are assessed to be at arm’s length by the management. Outstanding balances at the year-end are unsecured and interest free, except for loans given to subsidiary company, and settlement occurs in cash.

Company usually pays strategic services and brand fees in advance at the beginning of the year, based on its estimated annual turnover.

There have been no other guarantees/letter of comfort provided or received to/from any related party except as disclosed in note (d) above.

*Reason for Variance more than 25%

1. Current Ratio: Current ratio is higher mainly on account of repayment of short term borrowings during the year.

2. Debt-Equity ratio: Debt Equity ratio is lower on account of decrease in borrowings due to repayment during the year and higher shareholder's equity.

3. Debt Service Coverage ratio: Debt Service Coverage ratio is significantly lower mainly on account of higher repayment of long term borrowing during the year, partially offset by lower EBITDA and higher interest expense.

4. Trade receivable turnover ratio: Trade receivable turnover ratio is higher on account of reduction in outstanding trade receivables as at March end slightly offset by lower revenue from operations.

39. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

There are no other material adjusting or non-adjusting subsequent events, except as already disclosed.

40. OTHER STATUTORY INFORMATION

(i) The Company does not have any Benami property, where any proceeding has been initiated or pending against the company for holding any Benami property.

(ii) The Company has not been declared wilful defaulter by any bank or financial Institution or other lender.

(iii) The Company does not have any transactions with companies struck off.

(iv) The Company does not have any charges or satisfaction which is yet to be registered with ROC beyond the statutory period,

(v) The Company has not traded or invested in Crypto currency or Virtual Currency during the financial year.

(vi) The Company has not advanced or loaned or invested funds to any other person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities (intermediaries) with the understanding that the intermediary shall:

(a) directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the company (Ultimate Beneficiaries) or

(b) provide any guarantee, security or the like to or on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries.

(vii) The Company has not received any fund from any person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities (Funding Party) with the understanding (whether recorded in writing or otherwise) that the Company shall:

(a) directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Funding Party (Ultimate Beneficiaries) or

(b) provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries.

(viii) The Company has no any such transaction which is not recorded in the books of accounts that has been surrendered or disclosed as income during the year in the tax assessments under the Income Tax Act, 1961 (such as, search or survey or any other relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

(ix) The Company has used accounting software ERP SAP for maintaining its books of account which has a feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility and the same has operated throughout the year for all relevant transactions recorded in the software except that audit trail feature is not enabled in the SAP application for direct changes to data in certain database tables, which is restricted to only one user ID with system administrator user access, in order to optimise system performance. The Company carried out proactive monitoring and review of activities performed by such user during the year. Additionally, the system administrator rights have been disabled subsequent to the year end. Further, no instance of audit trail feature being tampered with was noted in respect of software.

1

Tax demands have been raised mainly on account of depreciation disallowances, withholding taxes and interest thereon. Although, the Company has paid certain amounts in relation to these demands, which are pending at various levels of appeals, management considers these disallowances as not tenable against the Company, and therefore no provision for tax has been created. Also, refer note 31c(ii).