Rajnath Singh Approves Miniratna-I Status for Yantra India Limited

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of Miniratna Category-I status to Yantra India Limited (YIL), marking a key milestone in the company’s transformation into a profit-making defence public sector undertaking (DPSU). The move enhances YIL’s financial and operational autonomy and is expected to accelerate its growth in defence manufacturing and exports.

Strong Financial and Export Performance

Yantra India Limited has recorded significant growth in sales and exports since its inception:

• Sales growth: Increased from ₹956.32 crore in the second half of FY 2021-22 to ₹3,108.79 crore in FY 2024-25.
• Export performance: Rose sharply from zero exports in FY 2021-22 (H2) to ₹321.77 crore in FY 2024-25.

This sustained performance has been a key factor behind the grant of Miniratna status.

Wide Defence Product Portfolio

YIL’s product range spans critical defence technologies and platforms, including:

• Carbon fibre composites
• Assemblies for medium and large calibre ammunition
• Armoured vehicles
• Artillery guns and main battle tanks
• Glass composites and aluminium alloys

Enhanced Financial Powers

With Miniratna Category-I status, YIL’s Board is now empowered to:

• Approve capital expenditure of up to ₹500 crore
• Sanction investments for new projects, modernisation and equipment procurement
• Take decisions without prior government approval

This enhanced autonomy is expected to enable faster decision-making and support expansion in defence production and exports.

Background: Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories

Yantra India Limited was formed on October 1, 2021, following the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into seven new DPSUs. The reform aimed to improve efficiency, accountability, autonomy and innovation in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

• Status: Schedule ‘A’ DPSU
• Administrative Control: Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence

Earlier Miniratna Grants

In May 2025, the Defence Minister had granted Miniratna Category-I status to three other defence DPSUs:

• Munitions India Limited (MIL)
• Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL)
• India Optel Limited (IOL)