IDBI Bank Stake Sale to Be Completed by End of 2025, Confirms DFS Secretary

In a key update on the government’s disinvestment strategy, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) has confirmed that the strategic stake sale in IDBI Bank will be completed by the end of calendar year 2025. This announcement brings clarity to one of the most awaited moves in India’s banking and divestment landscape.

The stake sale in IDBI Bank will get completed in this calendar year, said DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju while speaking on the sidelines of the listing ceremony of the first Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities.

Government and LIC to Offload Majority Stake

The Centre and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) together plan to sell a 61% stake in IDBI Bank. This includes a 30.48% share held by the central government and 30.24% held by LIC. The move is part of a broader plan to privatize the bank and bring in a strategic investor to revamp its operations and governance.

The process had first gained traction in January 2023, when the government received multiple expressions of interest (EoIs) for the proposed stake sale. Since then, shortlisted bidders have been actively involved in due diligence, examining the bank’s financials and operations.

Key Milestones Already Crossed

Earlier in April, DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla mentioned that the sale is progressing steadily, with critical procedural steps like data room access and asset valuation already in motion. These steps are vital in enabling prospective buyers to make informed offers for IDBI Bank.

A Crucial Piece in India’s Disinvestment Plan

The IDBI Bank disinvestment is expected to be one of the major contributors to the government’s disinvestment and asset monetization goal of ₹47,000 crore for FY26. Alongside other planned stake sales, this transaction is seen as a flagship effort to push forward the country’s privatization agenda.

What Lies Ahead

With the government aiming for a closure by end-2025, the coming months are expected to witness the finalization of bids, regulatory approvals, and the selection of the winning bidder. The completion of this strategic sale could set a precedent for future privatization of public sector banks, bringing greater efficiency and competitiveness to the banking sector.