Which of the following Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) has been declared as Maharatna by the Government of India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Steel Authority of India Limited
Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, the question has two possible answers, i.e. both Option (3) and Option (4), as explained below.
Central Public Sector Enterprises are graded Maharatna, Navratna and Miniratna. Maharatna is the highest grade: it goes to large, profit-making listed companies with a big turnover and net worth, and it lets the board invest large sums without asking the government.
Option (3) Steel Authority of India Limited — SAIL, the country’s largest steel maker, was among the first Maharatnas, named in 2010 together with NTPC, ONGC and Indian Oil Corporation.
Option (4) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — HAL, a Navratna for many years, was upgraded to Maharatna on 12 October 2024 as the 14th Maharatna, well before this paper. HAL’s promotion came through in October 2024; NTA’s answer key is still reading the old list.
Advice for the exam: When a question has two possible answers, mark the one you worked out yourself. If NTA’s answer key gives a different answer, challenge it when NTA opens the window for challenges.