Vodafone-Idea merger: Shares of Idea Cellular closed 4.57 per cent higher at R s. 57.35 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) after the news. The merger, announced in March 2017, will topple current market leader Bharti Airtel. HIGHLIGHTS Department of Telecom gives final nod to Vodafone, Idea Cellular merger At 3:15 pm, Idea Cellular shares were trading 4% higher The combination will create India's largest mobile-phone company PROMOTED NiyatiFab Skmei Waterproof Analog + Digital Sports Watch - For Men ₹ 169 * Includes ₹ 200 cashback * The Department of Telecom (DoT) has given final approval to the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular , news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) reported, citing government sources. The nod for Vodafone Idea came days after Idea Cellular and Vodafone India jointly paid R s. 7,268.78 crore 'under protest' to the DoT. The entities will now approach Registrar of Companies (RoC) f...