Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are government undertaking companies. These provide a secure future and good money as these are less affected by the current recession. This sector provides a career for both technical and non-technical personnel.
The students from technical background can apply in technical service providing companies, i.e. BSNL, MTNL, SAIL, NHAI, NTPC, BHEL, ONGC, HPCL, IOCL, BPCL and many more. There are 252 PSUs in India. These PSUs recruit thousands of diploma and degree holding personnel in the technical field. All these companies have their own recruiting procedures.
Some of these companies have competitive type examinations and others have technical written and interview rounds.
Maharatna PSUs : Maharatna is the status given to top public sector enterprises where the companies have the authority to make foreign investments of up to Rs 5,000 crores without taking any Government approval. To be qualified as Maharatna, the company should gain an annual net profit of over Rs. 5,000 crores, net worth of Rs. 15,000 crores and turnover of Rs. 25,000 crores over the past three consecutive years. At present, the companies which have Maharatna status are SAIL, ONGC, NTPC, CIL, and IOCL.
Navratna PSU’s : Navratna status is conferred to the companies by the Department of Public Enterprises. To be qualified as a Navratna, the company must obtain a score of 60 out of 100. The score is based on six parameters which include a net profit to net worth, total manpower cost to total cost of production or cost of services, PBDIT (Profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes) to capital employed, PBDIT to turnover, EPS (Earning per Share) and inter-sectoral performance. Additionally, a company must first be a Miniratna and have four independent directors on its board before it can be made a Navratna. The Navratna status gives privileges to enhance financial and operational autonomy and empowers to invest up to Rs. 1000 crores or 15% of their net worth on a single project without seeking government approval. In a year, these companies can spend up to 30% of their net worth not exceeding Rs. 1000 crores. They will also have the freedom to enter joint ventures, form alliances and float subsidiaries abroad.