New Delhi, July 23 -- The government is likely to defer its broader disinvestment plans to the fourth quarter of FY26 as it focuses on completing the strategic sale of IDBI Bank by the end of the third quarter, two people aware of the matter said.

The move is aimed at avoiding market crowding and ensuring sufficient investor appetite.

The IDBI Bank transaction is expected to fetch about Rs.50,000 crore for the central government and Life Insurance Corporation of India, which together hold over 94% in the bank, the people said. The key stakeholders plan to divest a 60.72% stake in the lender.

There has been no major asset monetisation or stake sale in the first quarter and the second quarter could also remain subdued, the first person s...