Maharatna Companies in India are among the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) listed by the government of India. These top-tier Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) enjoy greater financial and operational autonomy to compete in the global market. The Indian government classifies Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) into three different categories:
As of 2025, there are 14 Maharatna companies in India.
Maharatna companies in India are among the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Indian economy subject in the General Studies Paper-3 syllabus and current events of national importance in UPSC prelims.
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Maharatna companies are a distinguished category of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India. The term "Maharatna" means "a great jewel" in Hindi. These companies are deemed to be of immense importance to the nation's economy and have significant global influence. To qualify as a Maharatna, a PSU must meet certain criteria set by the Indian government. These criteria include having a consistently high-performance record, substantial annual turnover, and substantial net worth. A Maharatna company has more autonomy in making financial decisions without government approval. There are currently 10 Maharatna companies in India, including major names in energy, minerals, telecommunications, and more sectors. The Maharatna status signifies a company's critical role in contributing to India's growth and development.
Key Details related to Maharatna Companies in India for UPSC |
|
Aspect |
Details |
Maharatna Status Meaning |
Top-tier Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) with enhanced autonomy |
Objective |
To enable top-performing PSUs to become global giants and make large investments |
Introduced By |
Government of India, Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) |
Year Introduced |
2009 |
Eligibility Criteria |
Navratna status Listed on stock exchange Average annual turnover ≥ ₹25,000 crore |
Total Maharatna Companies (as of 2025) |
14 |
Governing Ministry |
Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Heavy Industries (sector-specific control) |
The eligibility criteria for the grant of Maharatna status are as under:
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As of 2025, there are 14 Maharatna Companies in India. These are top-performing central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) that meet specific financial and operational criteria set by the government to enjoy greater autonomy.
ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd) was the first company to be granted Maharatna status in 2010. It was recognized for its consistent profitability, global operations, and vital contribution to India’s energy sector.
The Maharatna Company List includes some of India’s largest and most valuable public sector enterprises. These companies are given greater financial and operational autonomy to compete globally and boost India’s economic growth. A total of 14 CPSEs are conferred with Maharatna status. Their functions and details are discussed below:
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The benefits of Maharatna status are as follows:
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We hope all your doubts regarding the List of Maharatna Companies in India are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, Gk and current affairs, mocks and so on. Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App.
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