The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed merger between Aster DM Healthcare Ltd and Quality Care India Ltd, paving the way for the creation of one of India’s largest integrated healthcare networks.
The merger, cleared under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, will lead to the formation of a new entity – Aster DM Quality Care Limited – jointly controlled by Aster promoters and global investment firm Blackstone.
The merged company will combine the strengths of two leading healthcare players, bringing together an extensive hospital network, specialist expertise, and operational capabilities. It will operate a total of 38 hospitals with over 10,150 beds across 27 cities. By FY27, the entity aims to expand to approximately 13,300 beds through a mix of greenfield and brownfield projects, funded via internal accruals and cash reserves.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, welcomed the regulatory clearance, calling it a “milestone moment.” He said, “The CCI’s approval reflects the strength of our shared vision to deliver high-quality healthcare to millions of patients across India. This merger is a convergence of two strong legacies, and it positions us to transform healthcare delivery at scale.”
The unified entity will operate under four established brands – Aster DM, CARE Hospitals, KIMSHEALTH, and Evercare – and aims to become one of India’s top three hospital chains in terms of capacity and reach.
The merger is expected to generate significant synergies, allowing the combined entity to drive operational efficiency, leverage economies of scale, and invest in cutting-edge healthcare technologies and digital platforms. The partnership will also allow for standardization of clinical protocols, cross-specialty collaboration, and sharing of best practices across its network, ultimately enhancing patient care and clinical outcomes.
The consolidation marks a major step forward in India’s fast-evolving private healthcare sector, which is seeing increased interest from global investors and strategic consolidations. Blackstone’s backing is expected to strengthen the new entity’s ability to scale and compete with peers in both metropolitan and tier-II markets.
The merger transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to final customary approvals and integration processes.
