Nokia will instead operate the factory as a contract manufacturing unit for Microsoft after the deal, a spokeswoman for the Finnish company's Indian unit said on Thursday.

"It's highly unlikely that the plant will transfer, given that the (deal) closing with Microsoft is tomorrow," the spokeswoman said. "If the asset doesn't get transferred, we are entering into a service agreement with Microsoft."

Nokia has yet to agree to conditions set by an Indian court, including payment of a guarantee for potential tax dues in a dispute with Indian authorities, before it transfers the plant to Microsoft. The plant, which Nokia says employs about 6,600 employees, is one of its biggest factories globally.

Nokia this month offered a voluntary retirement scheme to factory employees.

Nokia lawyers have previously told the Delhi High Court that the company can run the plant as a contract manufacturer in case it is not allowed to be transferred to Microsoft, but not beyond 12 months after closing their 5.4 billion euros ($7.5 billion) global deal. ($1 = 0.7231 Euros)

(Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

Stocks treated in this article : Microsoft Corporation, Nokia Oyj