Did You Know? The Central Government has increased its disinvestment activities by reducing its stake in six Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) during the current financial year 2026-27. The Government is decreasing its stake not only in Banks but also in other public sector companies. So far, the government has raised around ₹20,000 crore through disinvestment. This is already higher than the ₹16,885 crore collected during the entire previous financial year.
So far, the Central Government has sold stakes in Central Bank of India, Coal India, NHPC, NLC India, General Insurance Corporation (GIC) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), raising around ₹20,000 crore. The approximate amount raised by the Government by selling stakes in PSUs is as follows:
| Company / Organisation | Amount Raised Through OFS |
|---|---|
| Central Bank of India | Over ₹2,200 crore |
| Coal India | Over ₹5,500 crore |
| NHPC | Over ₹4,300 crore |
| NLC | Over ₹1,200 crore |
| GIC | Over ₹3,000 crore |
| IRFC | Over ₹2,000 crore |
| Cochin Shipyard | Over ₹1,700 crore |
This amount is just in 3 months of the financial year. This amount is higher than the total amount raised by the Government in the last few years. It seems the Government has increased the speed of disinvestment. The government raised ₹16,885 crore in FY 2025-26 and ₹10,163 crore in FY 2024-25. The government had collected ₹16,507 crore in FY 2023-24, ₹35,293 crore in FY 2022-23, ₹13,534 crore in FY 2021-22 and ₹32,886 crore in FY 2020-21.
| Year | Amount (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 (April-till date) | 20,272 |
| 2025-26 | 16,885 |
| 2024-25 | 10,163 |
| 2023-24 | 16,507 |
| 2022-23 | 35,293 |
| 2021-22 | 13,534 |
| 2020-21 | 32,886 |
It seems the NDA-led government has put disinvestment on top of its agenda. Almost all PSU stake sales during the current financial year have been carried out through the Offer for Sale route. The government has sold its stake in various important public sector companies such as:
Government Plans 5% Stake Sale in Cochin Shipyard
The government is planning to sell a 5% stake in Cochin Shipyard Ltd through the Offer for Sale (OFS) route. The stake sale is expected to raise around ₹1,900 crore. At present, the Central Government holds a 67.91% stake in this company.
Stake Sold in Coal India, NHPC and GIC Re
The government sold a 2% stake in Coal India and raised around ₹5,500 crore. It also sold a 6% stake in NHPC Ltd for ₹4,357 crore and a 5% stake in GIC Re for ₹3,090 crore. The government has also reduced its stake in Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) Ltd and NLC India Ltd during FY27.
Strategic Disinvestment of Six PSUs Moves Forward
The government’s strategic disinvestment programme is also continuing, although the process has been slow. The Expression of Interest process has been completed for the strategic sale of six CPSEs. These include IDBI Bank, NMDC Steel, HLL Lifecare, Projects & Development India Ltd (PDIL), BEML and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). These strategic disinvestment transactions are now moving to the next stage.
IDBI Bank Stake Sale May Be Revived Soon
According to Finance Ministry officials, the strategic sale of IDBI Bank is likely to be revived soon. The process had earlier been put on hold because of valuation concerns and limited interest from investors. The government is now expected to move ahead with the stake sale process again.
Government Approves ₹121 Crore Sale of IMPCL
The government recently approved Skymap Pharmaceuticals’ ₹121 crore bid to acquire a 100% stake in Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd (IMPCL). IMPCL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Ayush. The sale of IMPCL is the third strategic disinvestment completed under the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. Earlier, Air India was acquired by the Tata Group. Neelanchal Ispat Nigam Ltd was also sold to a consortium led by Tata Steel.
More Public Sector Companies in Disinvestment Pipeline
Several other Central Public Sector Enterprises are also in the government’s strategic disinvestment pipeline. These include Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) and Air India Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL), among others.
There are 68 CPSEs listed on stock exchanges. The value of government shareholding in these companies is over ₹22.80 lakh crore. Apart from these, 16 public financial institutions (banks and insurance companies) are also listed, and the value of government shareholding in these institutions is around ₹19 lakh crore. Thus, the Government can easily sell some stake in these companies.
Government Targets ₹80,000 Crore From Disinvestment
As per sources, senior officials are holding weekly meetings with the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). The meetings are focused on finding additional ways to raise government resources. The government is confident that DIPAM will achieve the FY27 Budget target of ₹80,000 crore from disinvestment. Officials also believe the collection may exceed the target.
