New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- The government is preparing to invite financial bids in the third quarter (October-December) of FY26 for a strategic stake sale of IDBI Bank, as potential buyers have completed due diligence, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) secretary Arunish Chawla said on Friday.

"All data room protocols have been finalized for interested bidders," Chawla told reporters, indicating that the divestment process is now ready to move into its final stages.

"We hope to invite the financial bids by Q3, FY26," he said, adding that the government is aiming to finalize the winning bidder before the close of the current financial year (FY26).

Mint had reported on 23 July, citing sources, that the government will...