Union Minister Rajnath Singh Approved Miniratna Category-I Status to MIL, AVNL and IOL
June 01, 2025
- Miniratna Category-I Status Given to 3 Defence Companies – May 2025In May 2025, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved Miniratna Category-I status for three Indian defence companies. These are:Munitions India Limited (MIL) – Pune, MaharashtraArmoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) – Chennai, Tamil NaduIndia Optel Limited (IOL) – Dehradun, UttarakhandThis decision will help these companies grow faster and become stronger in defence manufacturing and exports.
- In May 2025, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved Miniratna Category-I status for three Indian defence companies. These are:Munitions India Limited (MIL) – Pune, MaharashtraArmoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) – Chennai, Tamil NaduIndia Optel Limited (IOL) – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Munitions India Limited (MIL) – Pune, Maharashtra
- Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- India Optel Limited (IOL) – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- This decision will help these companies grow faster and become stronger in defence manufacturing and exports.
- Background of MIL, AVNL, and IOLThese three companies were created after the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was reorganized into seven companies on October 1, 2021. The aim was to increase independence and promote innovation in defence production.MIL and AVNL are classified as Schedule ‘A’ DPSUs, while IOL is a Schedule ‘B’ DPSU. All three are under the Department of Defence Production (DDP) in the Ministry of Defence.
- These three companies were created after the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was reorganized into seven companies on October 1, 2021. The aim was to increase independence and promote innovation in defence production.
- MIL and AVNL are classified as Schedule ‘A’ DPSUs, while IOL is a Schedule ‘B’ DPSU. All three are under the Department of Defence Production (DDP) in the Ministry of Defence.
- Criteria for Miniratna StatusMiniratna Category-I:The company must have made a profit for the last 3 consecutive yearsIt must have earned a pre-tax profit of Rs 30 crore or more in at least one of those yearsIt must have a positive net worthMiniratna Category-II:The company must have made a profit for the last 3 consecutive yearsIt must have a positive net worthOther Conditions:The company must not have defaulted on loans or interest paymentsThe company must not be dependent on government budget support or guarantees
- Miniratna Category-I:The company must have made a profit for the last 3 consecutive yearsIt must have earned a pre-tax profit of Rs 30 crore or more in at least one of those yearsIt must have a positive net worth
- The company must have made a profit for the last 3 consecutive years
- It must have earned a pre-tax profit of Rs 30 crore or more in at least one of those years
- It must have a positive net worth
- Miniratna Category-II:The company must have made a profit for the last 3 consecutive yearsIt must have a positive net worth
- The company must have made a profit for the last 3 consecutive years
- It must have a positive net worth
- Other Conditions:The company must not have defaulted on loans or interest paymentsThe company must not be dependent on government budget support or guarantees
- The company must not have defaulted on loans or interest payments
- The company must not be dependent on government budget support or guarantees
- About the Ministry of DefenceUnion Minister: Rajnath Singh (Constituency – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)Minister of State (MoS): Sanjay Seth (Constituency – Ranchi, Jharkhand)
- Union Minister: Rajnath Singh (Constituency – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
- Minister of State (MoS): Sanjay Seth (Constituency – Ranchi, Jharkhand)
