Govt to Sell 6% Stake in NHPC via OFS at ₹71/Share
The Indian government has launched an Offer for Sale (OFS) to divest up to 6% stake in state-owned hydropower major NHPC Ltd. The floor price for the OFS is fixed at ₹71 per share, aiming to raise approximately ₹4,200 crore. This strategic stake sale opened for non-retail investors on June 2, 2026, and for retail investors on June 3, 2026, as part of the government's broader disinvestment agenda.
Key Highlights
- Government to divest up to 6% equity in NHPC via OFS.
- OFS floor price set at ₹71 per equity share.
- Sale expected to generate around ₹4,200 crore for the exchequer.
- Offer opens June 2 for non-retail, June 3 for retail investors.
- Part of government's FY27 disinvestment target.
- NHPC is a leading hydropower company in India.
The Indian government has announced an Offer for Sale (OFS) to divest a portion of its stake in NHPC Ltd, a prominent state-owned hydropower company. The offer involves selling up to 6% of NHPC's equity shares, with the floor price set at ₹71 per share. This strategic move aims to generate approximately ₹4,200 crore (about USD 503 million) for the government exchequer.
The Offer for Sale commenced for non-retail investors on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and will be open for retail investors on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The announced stake sale comprises a base offer of 3% of NHPC's equity, with an additional 3% available under a 'Green Shoe Option' should the offer be oversubscribed. This mechanism allows the government flexibility to sell more shares if there is strong investor demand.
The floor price of ₹71 per share represents an 8% discount compared to NHPC's closing share price of ₹77.19 on the BSE on Monday, June 1, 2026. Such a discount is a common strategy employed by the government to attract robust investor interest and ensure the successful subscription of the issue.
This disinvestment in NHPC is a significant step in the government's broader financial strategy for the current fiscal year (FY27). It marks the third Offer for Sale by a public sector company in FY27, following similar stake sales in Coal India and the Central Bank of India. Earlier, the government divested a 2% stake in Coal India, raising ₹5,542 crore, and an 8.08% stake in the Central Bank of India, which fetched ₹2,266 crore. Cumulatively, these disinvestment proceeds for FY27 currently stand at ₹7,808 crore.
The Union Budget for FY27 has set an ambitious target to raise ₹80,000 crore through disinvestment and asset monetisation, more than double the ₹33,837 crore achieved in the Revised Estimates for FY26. The NHPC OFS is therefore crucial in helping the government meet these financial objectives and mobilise resources for various developmental initiatives.
NHPC Limited, a 'Navratna' Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power, is a key player in India's hydroelectric power generation sector. The company is also actively expanding its presence in renewable energy, particularly in solar and pumped storage projects, aligning with India's increasing focus on clean energy transition. This pivot towards sustainable energy sources is expected to make NHPC an attractive investment opportunity, especially for retail investors, given its consistent dividend record and the government's ongoing emphasis on infrastructure and energy sector reforms.
Market experts often observe a short-term decline in the stock price of companies immediately after an OFS announcement, primarily due to the discounted floor price setting a new near-term benchmark for traders. However, the long-term impact depends on the company's fundamentals and overall market sentiment. The government's decision to offload stakes in PSUs like NHPC is aimed at unlocking value, improving public shareholding, and efficiently managing public sector assets. The successful completion of this OFS will be closely watched by market participants as an indicator of investor confidence in government-backed entities and the broader Indian economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHPC OFS and how much stake is the government selling?
The NHPC OFS (Offer for Sale) is a mechanism through which the Indian government is selling up to 6% of its equity shares in NHPC Ltd. This includes a base offer of 3% and an additional 3% Green Shoe Option.
What is the floor price for the NHPC OFS?
The floor price for the NHPC OFS has been set at ₹71 per equity share. This represents an 8% discount from NHPC's closing price on June 1, 2026.
When does the NHPC OFS open for investors?
The NHPC OFS opened for non-retail investors on June 2, 2026 (Tuesday) and will be available for retail investors to place their bids on June 3, 2026 (Wednesday).
What is the government's objective behind this stake sale?
The government's primary objective is to raise approximately ₹4,200 crore for the exchequer, meet its disinvestment targets for FY27, unlock value from public sector enterprises, and enhance public shareholding in NHPC.
How does this OFS fit into the government's larger financial plans?
This NHPC OFS is the third such sale by a public sector company in FY27, contributing to the government's ambitious target of raising ₹80,000 crore through disinvestment and asset monetisation in the current fiscal year.