Rajnath Singh approves Miniratna-I status for Yantra India Limited
New Delhi, Feb 2: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of Miniratna Category-I status to Yantra India Limited (YIL), marking a key milestone in the transformation of the defence public sector undertaking. Congratulating YIL, the Defence Minister said the company has successfully evolved from a government organisation into a profit-making corporate entity within about four years, and expressed satisfaction over initiatives taken by its management to boost turnover, enhance indigenisation and meet the performance benchmarks required for Miniratna-I status. Since its inception, YIL has recorded strong growth, with sales rising from Rs 956.32 crore in the second half of 2021–22 to Rs 3,108.79 crore in FY 2024–25. Exports have also expanded significantly, growing from nil in 2021–22 (H2) to Rs 321.77 crore in FY 2024–25.
YIL’s product portfolio includes carbon fibre composites, components for medium and large calibre ammunition, assemblies for armoured vehicles, artillery guns and main battle tanks, as well as glass composites and aluminium alloys.
The Miniratna-I status empowers YIL’s board to undertake capital expenditure of up to Rs 500 crore on new projects, modernisation and equipment purchases without prior government approval, a move expected to accelerate the company’s growth in defence production and exports.
Yantra India Limited is one of the seven defence PSUs formed after the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board on October 1, 2021, a reform aimed at improving efficiency, autonomy and innovation in defence manufacturing. YIL operates as a Schedule ‘A’ DPSU under the Department of Defence Production. In May 2025, the Defence Minister had approved Miniratna-I status for three other newly formed DPSUs — Munitions India Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited and India Optel Limited. The decision reinforces the government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with a focus on strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing, reducing import dependence and positioning India as a global hub for defence production and exports.
