When can we really expect a final word on the LIC IPO dates?

While the government has not yet confirmed anything on the dates of the LIC IPO, there was a statement from the DIPAM last week that the current SEBI approval for the LIC IPO was valid till the 12th of May. If the IPO was opened by that time, then the current approval with updated September quarter financials would be valid. However, post 12th May, LIC will have again file papers with SEBI with the relevant December quarter numbers updated.

In a way, this can almost be interpreted as an acknowledgement that the LIC IPO has been put off to the next fiscal year. Anyways, in the current geopolitical condition, the IPO was not going to be feasible in the current year. The LIC IPO entails an offer for sale of 31.6 core shares worth around Rs.65,000 crore and was the key to government disinvestment targets for FY22. Now that looks unlikely, but the government will get more time to plan.