By Lal Singh Navratna companies are high-performing central public sector enterprises which have been granted a larger measure of financial and operational autonomy by the Government of India in order to enhance their competitiveness in the domestic and global market. Such companies can invest up to INR 1,000 crore or 15% of their net worth in a single project without government approval. Furthermore, they enjoy greater flexibility in forming joint ventures, expanding globally and managing their human resources.
Navratna companies are operating in multiple strategic sectors like defence, energy, mining, railways, infrastructure, logistics and others. Let’s have a look at the top 10 leading Navratna companies for the year 2026.
1. Bharat Electronics Limited
Bharat Electronics Limited, headquartered in Bangalore, is a top Navratna company, specialising in aerospace and defence electronics. Founded in 1954, it operates under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The company designs, develops and manufactures advanced electronic equipment and systems primarily for the Indian armed forces.
BEL boasts of a huge portfolio of advanced professional electronics for defence applications. These include weapons locating radar systems, coastal and battlefield surveillance radar systems, Akash surface-to- air missile system and electronic warfare systems. The company operates nine manufacturing facilities across India.
2. Engineers India Limited
Engineers India Limited, headquartered in New Delhi, is among the leading Navratna companies in India. Founded in the year 1965, it operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of the Government of India. The company specialises in engineering, procurement and construction services, operating primarily in consultancy and engineering projects and turkney projects.
EIL’s core areas of operation include hydrocarbon infrastructure like petroleum refineries, oil and gas processing and pipelines, water and waste management facilities, solar/nuclear power plants, ports and smart cities. The company is a global player, executing projects in 19 countries.
3. Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, is a premium shipyard holding the Navratna status. Founded in 1774 and incorporated as a company in 1934, it operates under the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India. The company specialises in building, repairing and maintaining warships, submarines and other kinds of offshore platforms.
MDL’s key expertise lies in naval platforms, including Scorpene-class submarines, frigates, destroyers, corvettes and offshore patrol vessels. It is the only Indian shipyard capable of constructing destroyers and submarines. The company has built over 800 vessels since 1960.
4. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, headquartered in New Delhi, is among the top Navratna companies in India. Founded in the year 2003 to accelerate railway infrastructure development, it operates under the Ministry of Railways. The company basically functions a the construction and project execution arm of the Indian Railways, focusing on fast-track implementation of railway infrastructure projects and mobilising extra-budgetary resources.
RVNL executes a wide range of railway and related infrastructure projects. They include track doubling, new lines, gauge conversion, railway electrification and bridge and tunnel construction. The company has also expanded to metro infrastructure.
5. Container Corporation of India Limited
Container Corporation of India Limited, headquartered in New Delhi, is a leading Navratna company, specialising in multimodal logistics and container transportation. Founded in the year 1988, it operates under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The company plays a major role in India’s supply chain efficiency by focusing on rail-based container transportation, warehousing and end-to-end logistics solutions.
CONCOR operates in two main segments, namely import-export and domestic. It has a network of over 60 terminals, including double-stack container train operations on dedicated freight corridors.
6. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, headquartered in New Delhi, is a public sector non-banking financial company holding the Navratna status. Founded in the year 1987, it operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. The company is dedicated towards financing renewable energy projects. It promotes, develops and extends financial assistance for new and renewable sources of energy.
IREDA provides term loans and other financial products for projects spanning various segments of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, biofuel, hydro, biomass, waste-to-energy, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and others. The company plays a pivotal role in India’s renewable energy goals.
7. National Mineral Development Corporation Limited
National Mineral Development Corporation Limited, headquartered in Hyderabad, is a prestigious Navratna company. Founded in the year 1958, it operates under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India. The company specialises in exploration, mining and production of iron ore, diamond and other minerals, contributing to India’s mineral security.
NDMC produces 40-45 million iron ore annually and is the only organised diamond producer in India. Major mines owned and operated by the company include Panna in MP, Bailadila in Chhattisgarh and Donimalai and Kumaraswamy in Karnataka. The company also owns the Nagarnar Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh.
8. National Aluminium Company Limited
National Aluminium Company Limited, headquartered in Bhubaneswar, is a leading Navratna company. Founded in the year 1981, it operates under the Ministry of Mines of the Government of India. The company’s operations cover mining, refining, smelting and power generation. NALCO is one of Asia’s largest integrated primary producers of aluminium.
NALCO owns and operates bauxite mine at Panchpatmali in Odisha, alumina refinery in Damanjodi, aluminium smelter in Angul and 1200 MW captive thermal power plants.
9. National Buildings Construction Corporation (India) Limited
National Buildings Construction Corporation (India) Limited, headquartered in New Delhi, is among the leading Navratna CPSEs in India. Founded in the year 1960, it operates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The company specialises in engineering, procurement and construction or EPC projects, real estate development and project management consultancy.
NBCC has executed landmark projects in India and abroad, operating across segments like residential, commercial, institutional and infrastructure developments.
10. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited, headquartered in New Delhi, is among the major Navratna CPSEs in India. Founded in the year 1999, it operates under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. IRCTC is the exclusive provider of online train ticket booking services, on-board catering services and packaged drinking water across Indian Railways. The company also manages rail-based tourism packages.
Conclusion
There are currently 26 Navratna companies in India. The number has grown significantly over the years. To qualify for Navratna status, a CPSE is required to be a Miniratna Category-I company, have an excellent performance record and achieve a composite score of at least 60 of 100, based on six parameters.