Navratna Companies in India

If you’ve ever booked a train ticket on IRCTC or seen Bharat Electronics working on defence tech, you’ve already interacted with India’s Navratna companies. These PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) are not just government-owned enterprises, they represent stability, autonomy, and strategic growth for the country.

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For retail investors, the Navratna tag often signals reliability, dividends, and long-term opportunities. But before jumping in, let’s break down what exactly a Navratna company is and check the updated Navratna companies list as per official government sources.

What is a Navratna Company?

The word Navratna literally means nine gems. Back in 1997, only nine high-performing CPSEs (Central Public Sector Enterprises) were identified and given greater financial freedom by the Government of India. Today, the number has grown significantly. As of 2025, there are 26 Navratna companies in India, spread across energy, engineering, construction, logistics, defence, telecom, and renewable power.

A Navratna PSU enjoys:

• Autonomy to invest up to ₹1,000 crore in a single project without prior approval.
• Higher operational flexibility compared to other PSUs.
• Strategic importance in India’s economic growth.

Complete List of Navratna Companies in India (2025)

Here’s the official government-updated list of Navratna CPSEs:

1. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
2. Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR)
3. Engineers India Limited (EIL)
4. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)
5. National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO)
6. NBCC (India) Limited
7. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC India)
8. NMDC Limited
9. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)
10. Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI)
11. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
12. ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL)
13. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF)
14. IRCON International Limited
15. RITES Limited
16. National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)
17. Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC)
18. Housing & Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO)
19. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)
20. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
21. RailTel Corporation of India Limited
22. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Limited
23. NHPC Limited
24. SJVN Limited
25. Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC)
26. Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC)

Detailed Overview of Navratna Companies (2025)

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) – A defence electronics giant, BEL manufactures radars, avionics, and communication systems. It plays a vital role in India’s defence modernization and exports.

Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) – India’s largest logistics PSU, CONCOR operates inland container depots and rail freight services, crucial for trade and exports.

Engineers India Limited (EIL) – A leading consultancy in engineering and infrastructure, EIL works in refineries, petrochemicals, and project management.

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) – One of the oldest telecom PSUs, MTNL operates in Delhi and Mumbai. Despite facing private sector competition, its Navratna status allows operational flexibility.

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) – NALCO is a major aluminium producer, supplying both domestic and global markets.

NBCC (India) Limited – Known for large government projects and real estate redevelopment, NBCC has been central to India’s urban growth.

Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC India) – A leading PSU in lignite mining and power generation, NLC is expanding into renewable energy.

NMDC Limited – India’s largest iron ore producer, NMDC plays a vital role in supplying raw materials for the steel industry.

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) – Also known as Vizag Steel, RINL produces high-quality long steel products for construction and infrastructure.

Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) – SCI is India’s largest shipping company, connecting trade routes via bulk carriers, tankers, and passenger services.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) – Focused on railway infrastructure, RVNL handles modernization, electrification, and expansion of India’s rail network.

ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) – The overseas arm of ONGC, OVL explores and produces oil & gas in multiple countries, strengthening India’s energy security.

Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF) – RCF produces fertilizers and chemicals critical for India’s agriculture sector.

IRCON International Limited – A railway infrastructure giant, IRCON specializes in track laying, electrification, and turnkey railway projects in India and abroad.

RITES Limited – A government-owned engineering consultancy, RITES works on transport infrastructure, including railways, highways, and airports.

National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) – NFL produces urea and other fertilizers, ensuring steady supply to Indian agriculture.

Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) – CWC manages warehouses and logistics facilities across India, supporting trade and storage.

Housing & Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) – HUDCO provides finance for housing and infrastructure projects, especially in affordable housing.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) – IREDA funds renewable energy projects, supporting India’s green energy transition.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) – MDL builds warships and submarines, making it a strategic defence PSU.

RailTel Corporation of India Limited – RailTel offers telecom and IT infrastructure services, leveraging the Indian Railways’ fibre network.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Limited – SECI leads India’s renewable energy push, focusing on solar and wind power projects.

NHPC Limited – India’s largest hydropower company, NHPC generates clean electricity from multiple hydro projects.

SJVN Limited – A joint venture hydropower producer, SJVN is expanding into renewables across India and neighboring countries.

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) – IRCTC operates online ticketing, catering, and tourism for Indian Railways, holding a near-monopoly in e-ticketing.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC) – The financing arm of Indian Railways, IRFC raises funds for infrastructure and rolling stock expansion.

Final Thoughts: Should You Invest in Navratna Companies?

Navratna companies strike the right balance between stability and growth. Some of the benefits of these stocks are that they enjoy government ownership and backing, operate in sectors vital to India’s economy and they provide exposure to defence, energy, infra, and renewables.

For retail investors, these companies are safer than small-cap private firms, but more dynamic than many other PSUs. That said, don’t buy just because a company is a Navratna. Always do your own research, check its financial health, sector outlook, and valuations before investing.