India’s progress in energy, transport, banking, and many other sectors is strongly supported by its Public Sector Undertakings, better known as PSUs. These companies are owned by the government and play a key role in shaping the country’s development. That’s why an updated and clear PSU company list becomes so useful for students, job seekers, and anyone interested in how government companies in India contribute to the nation.
In this blog, we’ll walk through a simple list of PSU companies in India, explain their categories, and highlight why they matter in our daily lives.
PSU companies, also known as Public Sector Undertakings, are businesses where the Government of India owns the majority share, usually 51% or more. This means the government controls how these companies work, makes major decisions, and ensures they serve the nation’s long-term interests. These government companies in India operate in important areas like oil, banking, power, transport, and manufacturing, helping the country grow in a steady and reliable way.
Many PSUs were started to make essential services available to everyone, especially in sectors where private companies were not active or strong enough. Today, the PSU companies in India includes some of the biggest and most successful organisations in the country. They create jobs, support industries, and even help the government earn revenue that is later used for public welfare. In short, PSUs are more than just companies, they are pillars of India’s development.
India’s PSUs are grouped into Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna categories based on their performance, revenue, and strategic importance. Below is the complete and updated list of PSU companies in India, arranged neatly so readers can easily explore every major government company in India.
Maharatna companies are the strongest and biggest PSUs in the country. They have high financial power and operate globally as well.
Navratna PSUs have strong financial performance and get more independence in making business decisions.
Miniratna-I companies are stable and profit-making PSUs with good financial records.
These PSUs are smaller but still strong performers with steady profits.
These companies are 100% or majority-owned by the government but not classified as Maharatna/Navratna/Miniratna.
In the past few years, the Government of India has combined several PSUs to create stronger, more competitive companies. These mergers were designed to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and help PSU companies grow at a global level.
| Merged PSU(s) | Merged Into | Purpose of Merger |
|---|---|---|
| Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) | ONGC | To strengthen India's energy sector with an integrated oil giant |
| BSNL & MTNL | BSNL (MTNL becomes subsidiary) | To improve telecom services and reduce losses |
| National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) & THDC / NEEPCO | NHPC | To create a stronger hydropower PSU |
| REC Limited | Power Finance Corporation (PFC) | To consolidate financial power in the energy sector |
| Oriental Insurance, United India Insurance & National Insurance | Proposed merger under a single entity | For better management and reduced administrative costs (awaiting final decision) |
| EXIM Bank & ECGC | Proposed consolidation | To build a stronger export-supporting PSU framework |
India’s PSU companies operate in almost every major sector like energy, banking, transport, steel, mining, telecom, defence, and more. Breaking them down sector-wise makes it easier for readers to understand how each part of the economy is supported by these government companies in India. Below is a simple and clear sector-wise PSU company list, highlighting the most important organisations under each category.
These companies help India generate, refine, and distribute power and fuel across the nation.
These PSUs form the backbone of India’s financial system and manage millions of customers daily.
These companies support India’s raw material needs—coal, iron ore, aluminium, and metals.
These PSUs build equipment, aircraft, and systems that keep India safe and strong.
Some PSUs stand out because of their strong profits, huge market presence, and major contribution to India’s economy. These top-performing companies often lead in sectors like energy, banking, and infrastructure. While this blog gives you a quick overview, you can explore the detailed breakdown in our full article on the 10 Best PSU Stocks in India 2025.
Instead of listing everything again, here’s a simple look at what makes these top PSUs special:
A PSU company is a government-owned enterprise where the government holds 51% or more shares, mainly created to support national development in key sectors. A government company, on the other hand, is any company in which the government holds a minimum of 51% ownership either public, private, or mixed, without necessarily being a PSU.
| Point of Difference | PSU Companies | Government Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Government owns 51% or more shares | Government owns 51% or more shares, but company may function like a normal corporate entity |
| Purpose | Created mainly for public welfare, national growth, and essential services | Created for commercial activities, administrative needs, or public functions |
| Sector Focus | Mostly in energy, banking, mining, defence, transport, telecom | Can be in any sector including finance, services, manufacturing, or administration |
| Autonomy Level | Classified as Maharatna, Navratna, or Miniratna; given higher independence | Autonomy depends on company laws; not always given special status |
| Examples | ONGC, NTPC, SAIL, GAIL | Prasar Bharati, HMT, India Post Payments Bank |
Public Sector Undertakings play a massive role in shaping India’s economic strength. These government companies in India don’t just provide essential services, they help generate revenue, create jobs, and support industries that are critical for national growth. Many PSUs are also involved in large-scale projects that private companies often avoid due to high risk or low profit. This makes PSUs one of the strongest pillars of India's development.
PSUs together contribute over 10% of India’s total GDP, and many key sectors rely heavily on them. For example, Coal India supplies around 70% of India’s coal, which powers most thermal plants, and Oil PSUs handle nearly 80% of India’s fuel distribution. More than 10 lakh people are directly employed by PSUs, while millions more depend on them indirectly through supply chains, contracts, and local businesses.
Here’s how PSUs create long-lasting impact:
The PSU company list highlights how deeply Public Sector Undertakings are linked to India’s growth, national security, and essential services. These major government companies in India support the economy through reliable infrastructure, stable employment, and consistent revenue contributions. With strong performance across sectors like energy, banking, defence and transport, the list of PSU companies in India continues to shape the country’s development in a powerful way. As India moves toward becoming a stronger global economy, PSUs will keep playing a key role in creating long-term progress and stability.
A PSU is a government-owned company created mainly for national development, while a government company is any organisation where the government owns at least 51% shares. All PSUs are government companies, but not all government companies are PSUs.
ONGC is often considered the largest PSU in India based on revenue, market value, and contribution to the energy sector. It plays a major role in India’s oil and natural gas production.
The energy sector has the highest number of PSUs, including companies like NTPC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, and ONGC. These organisations handle India’s power generation, fuel supply, and energy infrastructure.
PSU companies are important because they support essential sectors like energy, transport, banking, and defence while ensuring stable services across the country. Their contributions help strengthen the economy and reduce dependence on foreign industries.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. Please note that the data related to the mentioned companies may change over time. The securities referenced are provided as examples and should not be considered as recommendations.
