In India, PSUs are government-owned corporations also known as Public Sector Undertakings. The central government, state government, or both can grant PSU status to a company if they hold at least 51% of its paid-up share capital. These organisations play a vital role in the country's economy and governance.
PSU jobs are highly in demand because the sector offers stability, good salaries, and many benefits. This is why, every year, PSU recruitment drives attract thousands of candidates, especially in the technical and management fields. Many of these opportunities are available through exams like GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering).
Jobs in PSU
Let us explain further: what exactly are jobs in the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)? These jobs generally involve working in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, defence, and finance, serving national interests while building a strong career. At the same time, there are specific criteria to apply in PSU, the most important of which is the PSU age limit. As per the official information, the age limit for PSU through GATE is between 21 and 28 years, although it may vary depending on the organisation and role. Also, it is important to check the GATE age limit for PSU recruitment updates for the most accurate information.
Let us now know the different types of PSUs in India and their classification, while each type plays a unique role in the development and economy of the country.
Classification of PSUs
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Maharatna PSUs
-
Navratna PSUs
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Miniratna Category- I
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Miniratna Category- II
Maharatna PSUs:
Maharatna is a status awarded to leading public sector enterprises, granting them the authority to make foreign investments of up to Rs 5,000 crores without requiring government approval. To qualify as Maharatna, a company must achieve an annual net profit of over Rs 5,000 crores, a net worth of Rs 15,000 crores, and a turnover of Rs 25,000 crores over the past three consecutive years. Currently, the CPSEs with Maharatna status include: BHEL, BPCL, CIL, GAIL, HPCL, IOCL, NTPC, ONGC, PFC, RECL, OIL INDIA LIMITED, PGCIL, SAIL, and HAL.
Navratna PSUs:
Navratna status is awarded to companies by the Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India. To qualify as a Navratna, a company must score at least 60 out of 100. The score is based on six parameters, including net profit to net worth, total manpower cost to total production or service cost, PBDIT (Profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes) to capital employed, PBDIT to turnover, EPS (Earnings per Share), and inter-sectoral performance. Additionally, a company must first be a Miniratna and have four independent directors on its board before it can be designated as a Navratna. The Navratna status grants privileges to enhance financial and operational autonomy and allow companies to invest up to Rs 1000 crores or 15% of its net worth in a single project without seeking government approval. Annually, these companies can spend up to 30% of their net worth, not exceeding Rs 1000 crores. They also have the freedom to enter joint ventures, form alliances, and establish subsidiaries abroad.
Miniratna PSUs:
Talking about Miniratna, the Government of India started giving "Miniratna" status to some public sector companies in 1997. Its purpose was to give more financial power to those companies that were earning good profits. Miniratna companies are divided into two categories - Category I and Category II. Let's understand these two categories:
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Category I: Category I includes those companies that have earned a pre-tax profit of at least Rs 3 crores (30 million) every year for three consecutive years and whose net worth is also positive.
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Category II: Category II includes those companies that are continuously earning profit and whose assets are also positive, but their profit is slightly less than Category I companies.
As we discussed earlier, India’s Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are classified into different categories based on their financial performance, operational efficiency, and strategic importance. These classifications help in identifying their autonomy and influence in the economy. As of now, there are 14 Maharatna, 25 Navratna, 51 Miniratna Category-I, and 11 Miniratna Category-II companies. These companies are playing a unique role in driving the growth and development of the country. All these are shown through the table below:
PSUs Percentage Criteria
When applying for a job in a PSU, several criteria must be met, with your academic performance being a key factor. Most PSUs require a minimum percentage in qualifying exams like B.E./B.Tech or equivalent degree. This ensures that candidates meet a certain academic standard. While cut-off percentages vary across organisations and categories, meeting the percentage criteria is a must for eligibility and shortlisting.
Organization |
Streams Applicable |
Percentage |
|
|
GEN |
OBC |
SC/ST |
PH |
BHEL
|
EC, EE, ME, MT
|
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
ONGC
|
ECE, EE, ME, CE, CS, IN, CH,
|
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
NTPC
|
EC, EE, ME, CS, IN
|
65 |
65 |
55 |
55 |
SAIL
|
EC ,EE, ME, CS, IN, CH, Metallurgy, Ceramics
|
65 |
65 |
55 |
55 |
IOCL
|
EC, EE, ME, CE, CS, IN
|
65 |
65 |
55 |
55 |
ISRO
|
EC, EE, ME, CS
|
65 |
65 |
65 |
65 |
PGCIL
|
EC, EE, ME, Industrial, Production CS, IN , EE, ME, CS, IT, C&I,
|
65 |
65 |
Pass |
Pass |
NALCO
|
EE, ME, CS, IT, C&I, Civil, Chemical, Metallurgy, Mining,
|
65 |
65 |
55 |
55 |
GAIL
|
EC, EE, ME, CS, IN, CH
|
65 |
65 |
60 |
60 |
DRDO
|
EC, ME, EE, CS, CH
|
60 |
60 |
55 |
55 |
DMRC
|
EC, EE, ME, CE
|
60 |
60 |
55 |
55 |
BPCL
|
ME, CS, IN
|
60 |
60 |
55 |
55 |
MTNL
|
EC, EE, CS, IT
|
60 |
60 |
55 |
55 |
HPCL
|
EC, EE, ME, CE, IN, CH
|
60 |
60 |
50 |
50 |
BEL
|
EC, EE, ME, CE, CS, CH, Telecommunication
|
60 |
60 |
Pass |
Pass |
Indian Railways
|
EC, EE, ME, CE
|
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
ECIL
|
EC, EE, ME, CE, CS, E&I
|
65 |
65 |
55 |
55 |
VIZAG STEEL
|
EC, EE, ME, CE, CH, IN, Ceramics,
|
60 |
60 |
50 |
50 |
NHPC
|
EE, ME, CE
|
60 |
60 |
50 |
50 |
SJVNL
|
EC, EE, ME, Civil, IT
|
55 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
BSNL
|
Telecommunication, EC, Radio, CS, EE, IT, CE
|
60 |
60 |
55 |
55 |
BHARATI PRASAR
|
EC, EE, IT
|
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
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