Bajaj Auto has fixed June 24, 2026 as the record date for its ₹5,632.8-crore share buyback, setting the stage for one of the largest capital return programmes by an Indian automaker in recent years.Under India’s T+1 settlement cycle, investors seeking to participate in the buyback must purchase shares by June 23, ensuring the holdings are reflected in their demat accounts on the record date.The Pune-based two- and three-wheeler manufacturer plans to repurchase up to 46.94 lakh equity shares, representing about 1.68 per cent of its paid-up equity capital, at ₹12,000 per share through the tender offer route. With the stock trading around ₹10,089, the buyback price represents a premium of nearly 19% to prevailing market levels.The record date was finalised after shareholders approved the proposal on June 18. Bajaj Auto had first announced the buyback alongside its fourth-quarter FY26 results on May 6, but the record date could only be set after securing shareholder approval.Retail Investors Eye Reserved QuotaThe offer has generated considerable interest among retail investors because SEBI regulations require 15 per cent of the buyback size to be reserved for retail shareholders.Investors whose total shareholding value does not exceed ₹2 lakh on the record date qualify for the retail category. Based on the ₹12,000 buyback price, investors can hold up to 16 shares and still remain eligible under the retail quota.The structure has triggered renewed interest in the so-called “small shareholder” strategy, with market participants expecting strong participation from retail investors ahead of the June 23 cutoff.Third Buyback in Four YearsThe latest programme follows Bajaj Auto’s ₹4,000-crore buyback in 2024 and marks the company’s third buyback in four years, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most consistent capital-return stories in the Indian market.The buyback comes against the backdrop of a strong financial performance. Bajaj Auto reported its highest-ever quarterly net profit of ₹2,746 crore in the fourth quarter of FY26, up 34 per cent year-on-year, while EBITDA margins expanded to 20.8 per cent.Analysts view the move as a reflection of the company’s robust cash generation and balance-sheet strength rather than a lack of growth opportunities. Even after the buyback and its dividend payout,The buyback also carries an additional attraction for investors under the current tax regime. Since the applicable buyback tax is borne by the company, shareholders who successfully tender shares receive the proceeds tax-free in their hands, making buybacks a more tax-efficient route than special dividends for many investors.Published on June 18, 2026