CCI Clears Blackstone’s 9.99 Per Cent Stake in Federal Bank

25 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Competition Commission of India has approved Blackstone’s proposal to acquire a 9.99 per cent stake in Federal Bank through warrants, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for the transaction, the fair-trade regulator said in a press release on Tuesday.

The acquisition will be executed through Blackstone’s arm, Asia II Topco XIII Pte. Ltd. Following the transaction, Blackstone will have the right to nominate a director to Federal Bank’s board, provided it maintains a minimum shareholding of 5 per cent.

The bank’s board had approved the strategic investment in October, which is set to result in a capital infusion of about Rs 61.97 billion. Federal Bank said the funds will strengthen its capital adequacy, support its next phase of organic and inorganic expansion, and help accelerate its ambition to rank among India’s top five private sector banks.

On Tuesday, shares of Federal Bank closed 1.5 per cent lower at Rs 265.10 on the NSE.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..