BharatPe has announced the appointment of Ajit Kumar as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), marking a key leadership addition as the fintech platform enters its next phase of digital innovation and expansion.
In his new role, Kumar will lead BharatPe’s technology and product engineering divisions, focusing on building scalable systems, enhancing digital infrastructure, and driving technology-led innovation across its product ecosystem. The company stated that his appointment reflects its continued commitment to strengthening its technology backbone while accelerating its growth in India’s competitive fintech sector.
Before joining BharatPe, Ajit Kumar served in several senior technology leadership positions across global financial and technology firms. He brings over two decades of experience in building enterprise-grade digital products, leading teams across payments, banking, and fintech innovation. His expertise spans product scalability, AI-driven systems, and secure architecture development.
According to BharatPe, Kumar’s immediate focus will be on optimizing the company’s technology stack and deepening data-driven decision-making to improve product efficiency and customer engagement. The fintech major is increasingly investing in advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence to strengthen risk assessment, fraud detection, and personalized lending models.
Rajnish Kumar, Chairman of the Board at BharatPe, said that the company is in a pivotal phase of growth, requiring strong technical leadership to enhance agility and scale. “With Ajit’s deep understanding of financial systems and emerging technologies, we are confident that BharatPe will continue to innovate responsibly and sustainably,” he said in a statement.
Nalin Negi, CEO of BharatPe, added that technology remains at the core of BharatPe’s long-term strategy. “Ajit brings a wealth of experience in building scalable technology platforms that are secure, efficient, and customer-centric. His leadership will help strengthen our position as one of India’s leading fintech innovators,” Negi said.
The appointment comes at a time when BharatPe is expanding its product portfolio beyond merchant payments to include digital lending, consumer credit, and investment services. The company has also been increasing its focus on operational excellence and governance as it looks to reinforce trust among users and partners.
Industry analysts note that the move signals BharatPe’s renewed focus on technical excellence following a period of restructuring and consolidation. By bringing in an experienced technologist at the helm, the company aims to reinforce its commitment to compliance, cybersecurity, and innovation-led growth.
Ajit Kumar expressed enthusiasm about joining the BharatPe leadership team. “BharatPe is at the forefront of transforming India’s fintech landscape, and I’m excited to contribute to its journey. My goal is to build a strong, resilient, and future-ready technology framework that supports innovation while ensuring trust and reliability for millions of users,” he said.
Over the past few years, BharatPe has emerged as one of the most recognized players in India’s fintech ecosystem. Founded in 2018, the company began as a QR-code-based payment facilitator for merchants and has since diversified into lending and credit products for small businesses. It has also ventured into consumer-facing financial services through its partnership with Unity Small Finance Bank.
Under its broader vision, BharatPe is focusing on building a full-stack digital ecosystem that supports India’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With AI and data analytics playing an increasingly central role in fintech operations, the company aims to leverage predictive modeling to identify growth opportunities and minimize risk.
The appointment of a technology veteran like Kumar underscores BharatPe’s focus on long-term innovation and technological resilience amid the fast-evolving financial landscape. His experience in building cloud-based platforms and enterprise architecture will help the company scale its operations while maintaining efficiency and compliance.
BharatPe’s recent leadership restructuring also reflects its strategic intent to bring stronger governance and operational depth. The company has been strengthening its leadership team across technology, compliance, and operations to streamline internal processes and position itself for sustainable expansion.
According to market observers, BharatPe’s investment in technology talent is consistent with a wider industry trend where Indian fintech firms are prioritizing data integrity, automation, and AI integration. As regulatory oversight tightens and competition intensifies, firms are increasingly seeking to differentiate through innovation-led trust and transparency.
Ajit Kumar’s appointment reinforces BharatPe’s continued focus on building a customer-first technology ecosystem — one that leverages digital innovation to simplify payments, enhance lending efficiency, and empower small businesses. The company’s next phase of growth will likely center on deepening its presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities while improving financial access through technology.
With this strategic addition to its leadership team, BharatPe aims to further strengthen its technology-driven culture and build on its mission to enable seamless financial inclusion across India’s digital economy.