New Delhi, June 25: The Government of India has mobilised more than ₹25,000 crore through stake sales in public sector undertakings (PSUs) via the Offer for Sale (OFS) route so far in 2026, marking the highest fundraising exercise through PSU disinvestment in over a decade.
According to market data compiled by Prime Database, the Centre has raised approximately ₹25,491 crore by diluting stakes in eight listed public sector enterprises during the year. The achievement reflects the government’s continued focus on strategic disinvestment and efficient capital management to support fiscal objectives and economic priorities.
The fundraising figure represents the strongest PSU OFS performance since 2015, when the government raised around ₹35,291 crore through stake sales in five state-owned companies. Including private sector issuances, a total of 24 listed companies have collectively raised nearly ₹29,445 crore through the OFS mechanism in 2026, underscoring robust market participation and investor appetite.
Major PSU stake sales during the year have included Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), Central Bank of India, Coal India, NHPC, NLC India, and General Insurance Corporation of India, among others. These transactions have formed a key component of the government’s broader disinvestment strategy aimed at enhancing market liquidity and unlocking shareholder value.
Market experts note that while PSU stocks have experienced mixed performance following OFS launches amid global uncertainties, the successful fundraising demonstrates sustained investor confidence in India’s public sector enterprises and capital markets.
Analysts also believe that the proceeds from these stake sales could provide additional fiscal flexibility to support government expenditure on critical sectors such as food security, fertiliser subsidies, infrastructure development, and social welfare programmes.
The strong response to PSU OFS issues highlights the growing depth of India’s capital markets and reinforces the government’s commitment to balancing fiscal prudence with growth-oriented spending. As the disinvestment programme progresses, policymakers are expected to continue leveraging market-based mechanisms to optimise public sector investments while supporting broader economic development goals.
With fundraising already approaching historical highs, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most successful years for government stake sales, reflecting favourable market conditions and investor confidence in India’s long-term growth trajectory.