Product Quantum (Rs. Cr) (SEBI) Quantum (Rs. Cr) (Other FSR) Long Term Rating Short Term Rating Regulated By
Bank Loan Ratings 0.00 20.00 ACUITE BBB+ | Stable | Assigned - RBI
Total Outstanding 0.00 20.00 - - -
Total Withdrawn 0.00 0.00 - - -
Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available.
 
Rating Rationale

­Acuite has assigned its long-term rating of 'ACUITE BBB+' (read as ACUITE triple B plus) on Rs.20.00 Cr. bank facilities of N U Hospitals Private Limited (NHPL). The outlook is 'Stable'.

Rationale for rating assigned:
The assigned rating factors in NHPL’s established track record in nephrology, urology, dialysis and transplant care, supported by experienced doctor-promoters and a strong specialty healthcare franchise and an established presence in Karnataka and Maldives. The rating also derives comfort from the company's stable operating profile, healthy profitability and growing contribution from overseas operations. Further, the rating is supported by a strong financial risk profile characterized by sizeable net worth, low leverage, minimal reliance on external debt, strong debt protection metrics and adequate liquidity, aided by recent equity infusions. The rating, however, is constrained by moderately intensive working capital operations arising from elevated Government-overseas receivables and elongated collection cycles. While recoverability risk is mitigated by the government-backed nature of the receivables and the company's demonstrated collection track record, timely realization of overseas receivables remains a key monitorable. Further, Acuite notes that retention of doctors remains a key challenge considering an intense competition in the healthcare sector.


About the Company

N U Hospitals Private Limited (NHPL), incorporated in 2006 and headquartered in Bengaluru, is a doctor-promoted super-specialty healthcare provider focused on nephrology, urology, kidney transplantation, dialysis, fertility care and robotic surgery. The company operates specialty hospitals across Bengaluru, Shivamogga and Ambur, along with an international presence in Maldives. NHPL has performed nearly 700 plus kidney transplants, conducted 7.5 lakh+ dialysis procedures and completed 55,000+ surgeries, establishing a strong niche position in renal sciences and transplant care. The company is promoted by Dr. Venkatesh Krishnamoorthy, Dr. Prasanna Venkatesh and other promoter-doctors, who have extensive experience in specialty healthcare and continue to actively oversee the company's clinical and operational functions.

 
Unsupported Rating

­Not Applicable

 
Analytical Approach
­Acuite has considered standalone business and financial risk profile of N U Hospitals Private Limited (NHPL), to arrive at the rating.
 
Key Rating Drivers

Strengths

Established track record along with experienced promoters in healthcare industry
NHPL was incorporated in 2006 in Bengaluru, which operates in the healthcare service sector. Originally established as a hospital in Padmanabhanagar in 1999, it transitioned into a private limited company in 2006. The company operates specialty hospitals across Bengaluru, Shivamogga and Ambur, along with an international presence in Maldives.Since inception, the company has performed nearly 700 plus kidney transplants, conducted over 7.5 lakh dialysis procedures, and completed more than 55,000 surgeries, establishing a strong niche position in renal sciences and transplant care. The company is promoted by Dr. Venkatesh Krishnamoorthy, Dr. Prasanna Venkatesh and other promoter-doctors, who possess extensive experience in specialty healthcare and continue to be actively involved in the company's clinical and operational management. Acuite believes that NHPL's long operating track record, experienced management team, established brand in kidney care and strong clinical expertise will continue to support its business profile and growth prospects over the medium term.

Modest scale of operations with steady growth in revenue and profitability
NHPL's operating performance remained stable during FY24-FY26 (Prov.), with operating income improving to Rs.167.45 crore in FY26 (Prov.) from Rs.149.30 crore in FY25, supported by higher patient volumes, improved occupancy and healthy contribution from its core nephrology and urology segments. Profitability improved considerably, with EBITDA margin increasing to 26.78% in FY26 (Prov.) from 22.61% in FY25, driven by company's specialty-focused business model, higher realization from transplant and robotic procedures, and efficient cost management. Consequently, PAT margin improved to 17.06% in FY26 (Prov.) from 13.80% in FY25. The company reported revenue of Rs.44.98 crore in Q1FY27. Acuite believes NHPL's established niche positioning in renal sciences, healthy profitability and planned capacity expansion will support its operating performance over the medium term.

­Healthy financial risk profile
The financial risk profile of NHPL is healthy, supported by a strengthened net worth, low leverage and robust debt protection metrics. The company's net worth increased to Rs.264.86 crore in FY26 (Prov.) from Rs.116.27 crore in FY25 and Rs.95.62 crore in FY24, primarily supported by the equity infusion and healthy profit retention. Further, the additional Rs.60 crore equity infusion in FY27 is expected to further strengthen the company's capital structure and financial flexibility. Total debt declined to Rs.19.55 crore in FY26 (Prov.), comprising long-term borrowings of Rs.18.71 crore and current maturities of long-term debt of Rs.0.84 crore, as compared to Rs.29.99 crore in FY25 and Rs.30.00 crore in FY24. Consequently, the capital structure remained comfortable, reflected in gearing of 0.07x and TOL/TNW of 0.23x in FY26 (Prov.). The reported debt includes an Incremental Lease Rental / Lease Equalisation Liability of Rs.16.75 crore (FY25: Rs.16.06 crore; FY24: Rs.15.38 crore), which is a non-cash accounting adjustment arising from straight-line lease accounting and does not represent funded debt. After excluding this liability and adjusting for investments and advances to group companies, the company's adjusted gearing and adjusted TOL/TNW stood  comfortable at 0.01x and 0.17x, respectively. Debt protection metrics remained strong, with interest coverage ratio (ICR) of 20.70x, debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) of 11.15x and Debt/EBITDA of 0.43x in FY26 (Prov.), compared to 25.56x, 4.76x and 0.86x, respectively, in FY25. Acuite believes NHPL's financial risk profile will continue to remain healthy, supported by healthy accruals, strong institutional investor backing and the company's stated strategy to fund its expansion primarily through equity capital and internal accruals.


Weaknesses

­Moderately intensive working capital operations 
The working capital operations of NHPL is moderately intensive, reflected by gross current asset (GCA)  of 300 days in FY26 (Prov.) compared to 272 days in FY25 and 216 days in FY24. The higher working capital requirement is primarily driven by elevated receivables arising from - government and international healthcare programs. Trade receivables increased to Rs.103.58 crore as on March 31, 2026 (Prov.) from Rs.83.21 crore in FY25 and Rs.63.89 crore in FY24, resulting in debtor days increasing to 229 days from 207 days and 150 days, respectively. Inventory requirements remained low, with inventory days at 26 days in FY26 (Prov.) , compared to 23 days in FY25 and 20 days in FY24. Creditor support moderated during FY26(Prov.) , with creditor days declining to 147 days from 192 days in FY25. Despite the elongated receivable cycle, recoverability risk is partly mitigated by the government-backed nature of the receivables and the company's demonstrated collection track record. Further, average fund-based bank limit utilisation remained low at 8.95% during the six months ended June 2026. Acuite believes working capital operations are likely to remain moderately intensive due to the nature of government-linked overseas receivables; however, the impact is mitigated by strong liquidity, institutional investor support and established collection experience.

Retention of doctors to remain a key challenge
The company competes with various super-speciality and multi-speciality hospitals. Retention of doctors remains a key challenge due to intense competition. However, the risk is mitigated by the presence of promoter-doctors who are actively involved in clinical operations, resulting in strong continuity of medical expertise and alignment of interests. However, the niche position of the company’s hospitals in nephrology and urology helps it stand out among the competition. Moreover, the company’s hospitals abide by the regulations of various Government agencies.

Rating Sensitivities

Potential triggers (individual or collective) for an upward rating action:
  • Significant improvement in operating scale and profitability
  • Improvement in working capital management with GCA below 150 days.
  • Improvement in financial risk profile
Potential triggers (individual or collective) for a downward rating action:
  • ­Significant decline in revenues and profitability
  • Deterioration in financial risk profile with DSCR below 3 times
  • Further elongation in working capital cycle
 
Liquidity Position:
Adequate

The liquidity position of NHPL remains adequate, supported by healthy net cash accruals of Rs.33.72 crore in FY26 (Prov.) against debt repayment obligations of around Rs.1.01 crore. Liquidity is moderated by the elongated receivable cycle, reflected in GCA days of 300 days in FY26 (Prov.). As on March 31, 2026 (Prov), the company maintained cash and bank balances of Rs.7.86 crore along with sizable liquid investments. The average utilization of fund-based working capital limits remained low at 8.95% during the six months ended June 2026, and the current ratio stood at 2.97 times as of March 31, 2026 (Prov.). Acuite believes NHPL's liquidity profile will remain adequate, supported by healthy accruals, sizeable investments, strong institutional investor backing and the proposed equity-funded expansion. However, timely realization of Government-International receivables will remain a key monitorable.

 
Outlook: Stable
­
 
Other Factors affecting Rating
­None
 

Particulars Unit FY 26 (Provisional) FY 25 (Actual)
Operating Income Rs. Cr. 167.45 149.30
PAT Rs. Cr. 28.57 20.61
PAT Margin (%) 17.06 13.80
Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth Times 0.07 0.26
PBDIT/Interest Times 20.70 25.56
Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable)
­None
 
Any other information
­None
 
Applicable Criteria
• Default Recognition :- https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm
• Service Sector: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-50.htm
• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm
Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument


Rating History :
­Not applicable
 

Lender’s Name ISIN Facilities Listing Status Regulated By Date Of Issuance Coupon Rate Maturity Date Quantum
(Rs. Cr.)
Complexity Level Rating
KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK LIMITED Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Unlisted RBI 10 Jun 2026 Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 10.00 Simple ACUITE BBB+ | Stable | Assigned
Not Applicable Not avl. / Not appl. Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 10.00 Simple ACUITE BBB+ | Stable | Assigned
Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available.
­

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