Govt exercises oversubscription option in Central Bank OFS
The Government of India has exercised the oversubscription option for the Offer for Sale of equity shares in Central Bank of India, increasing the total offer size to 72,41,12,102 shares, representing 8% of the paid-up capital. The base offer size was 36,20,56,051 shares (4%), with a floor price of ₹31 per share. Bidding for non-retail investors took place on May 22, 2026, while retail investors and employees can bid on May 25, 2026.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
The Government of India, acting through the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, has exercised the oversubscription option for the Offer for Sale (OFS) of equity shares in Central Bank of India . Consequently, the total offer size has been increased to 72,41,12,102 equity shares, representing 8% of the total paid-up equity share capital of the bank. The base offer size was 36,20,56,051 equity shares, representing 4% of the paid-up capital. The floor price for the offer remains set at ₹31 per equity share.
Offer Schedule and Categories
The offer is being conducted on a separate window provided by the BSE and NSE. For non-retail investors, the bidding window was open on May 22, 2026 (T day). Retail investors, employees, and non-retail investors choosing to carry forward un-allotted bids can participate on May 25, 2026 (T+1 day). The offer timings are from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on both days. A separate employee reservation of 75,00,000 equity shares is available for eligible employees.
Allocation and Bidding Details
Allocation will be made on a price priority basis at multiple clearing prices. A minimum of 10% of the offer shares is reserved for retail investors, while a minimum of 25% is reserved for mutual funds and insurance companies. Retail investors are defined as those placing bids for offer shares of a total value not exceeding ₹200,000. Non-retail investors have the option to carry forward their un-allotted bids from T day to T+1 day for allocation in the unsubscribed portion of the retail category.
Key Offer Parameters
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Seller | The President of India, acting through the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance |
| Total Offer Size | 72,41,12,102 Equity Shares (8% of paid-up capital) |
| Base Offer Size | 36,20,56,051 Equity Shares (4% of paid-up capital) |
| Oversubscription Option | 36,20,56,051 Equity Shares (4% of paid-up capital) |
| Floor Price | ₹31 per Equity Share |
| Employee Reservation | 75,00,000 Equity Shares |
| Designated Stock Exchange | BSE |
| Seller's Broker | Goldman Sachs (India) Securities Private Limited |
Settlement and Conditions
Settlement for bids received from the non-retail category on T day will take place on T+1 day, while bids received on T+1 day from retail investors and employees will settle on T+2 day. The seller reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any time prior to the opening on T day or cancel it post-bidding if sufficient demand is not received from non-retail investors at or above the floor price. The offer is being undertaken to achieve the minimum public shareholding norms prescribed by SEBI.
Historical Stock Returns for Central Bank of India
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -7.81% | -9.65% | -13.83% | -17.80% | -15.05% | +69.49% |
How might the government's continued divestment of Central Bank of India shares impact the bank's future governance structure and strategic decision-making autonomy?
Could the ₹31 floor price signal a broader reassessment of public sector bank valuations, and how might this influence upcoming OFS transactions for other state-owned banks?
What are the likely implications for Central Bank of India's capital adequacy and lending capacity if the government's shareholding continues to decline toward minimum public shareholding thresholds?


































