NEWS – Miniratna Category-I status granted to Central Electronics Limited (CEL) at its Golden Jubilee celebrations

CENTRAL ELECTRONICS LIMITED (CEL)

• Overview:
  • Established in 1974 under DSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology.
  • Aims to commercialize indigenous technologies from national labs and R&D institutions.
• R&D and Products:
  • Developed products in collaboration with CSIR, DRDO, and others.
  • Pioneered Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) technology in India, meeting international standards.
• Business Verticals:
  • Operates in Solar Photovoltaic, Railway Signalling System, Strategic Electronics, Security and Surveillance Group.
• Future Goals:
  • Aims to expand market presence across India and increase turnover and profits significantly.
• Technological Contributions:
  • Developed axle counter systems for railway signalling.
  • Supplies critical components for strategic and defence applications

MAHARATNA, NAVRATNA AND MINIRATNA STATUS

Maharatna Scheme

• Introduced in 2010 to empower mega CPSEs.
• Objectives:
  • Expand operations globally.
  • Enhance autonomy for strategic decisions.
• Powers:
  • Equity investments in joint ventures.
  • Merger & acquisitions (up to 15% of net worth or Rs 5,000 crore).
  • HR policy formulation.
  • Technology alliances.

Eligibility for Maharatna Status

• Criteria:
  • Navratna status.
  • Listed on Indian stock exchange.
  • Annual turnover > Rs 25,000 crore.
  • Net worth > Rs 15,000 crore.
  • Net profit after tax > Rs 5,000 crore.
  • Significant global presence.

Maharatna CPSEs

1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
3. Coal India Limited
4. GAIL India Limited
5. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
6. Indian Oil Corporation Limited
7. NTPC Limited
8. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited
9. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
10. Steel Authority of India Limited
11. Power Finance Corporation Limited
12. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
13. Oil India Ltd.

Navratna Scheme

• Introduced in 1997.
• Enhanced powers in:
  • Capital expenditure.
  • Joint ventures/subsidiaries.
  • Mergers & acquisitions.
  • HR management.

Eligibility for Navratna Status

• Criteria:
  • Miniratna I status.
  • ‘Excellent’ or ‘very good’ MOU rating.
  • Composite score of performance metrics.

Navratna CPSEs

1. Bharat Electronics Limited
2. Container Corporation of India Limited
3. Engineers India Limited
4. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
5. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
6. National Aluminium Company Limited
7. National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited
8. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
9. NMDC Limited
10. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited
11. Shipping Corporation of India Limited
12. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
13. ONGC Videsh Ltd
14. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited
15. IRCON International Limited
16. RITES Limited

Miniratna Scheme

• Introduced in October 1997.
• Enhances autonomy for competitiveness.
• Categories:
  • Category-I: Profitable with significant thresholds.
  • Category-II: Profitable with positive net worth.