Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of Miniratna Category-I status to Yantra India Limited (YIL), marking a significant milestone in the company’s transformation into a profit-making defence public sector undertaking.
Congratulating the company, the Defence Minister expressed satisfaction over YIL’s rapid progress since its corporatisation, noting its efforts to increase turnover, enhance indigenisation, and meet key performance benchmarks required for Miniratna status. YIL has achieved this recognition within four years of its formation.
The company has recorded substantial growth in sales, which rose from ₹956.32 crore in the second half of FY 2021-22 to ₹3,108.79 crore in FY 2024-25. Its export performance has also shown a sharp rise, increasing from zero exports in FY 2021-22 (H2) to ₹321.77 crore in FY 2024-25. YIL’s product portfolio includes carbon fibre composites, assemblies for medium and large calibre ammunition, armoured vehicles, artillery guns, main battle tanks, glass composites and aluminium alloys.
With the Miniratna Category-I status, YIL’s Board has been empowered to approve capital expenditure of up to ₹500 crore for new projects, modernisation, and procurement of equipment without prior government approval. This enhanced financial autonomy is expected to support faster decision-making and accelerate the company’s growth in defence production and exports.
Yantra India Limited was formed following the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board into seven new defence public sector undertakings on October 1, 2021, aimed at improving efficiency, autonomy and innovation in defence manufacturing. YIL is a Schedule ‘A’ DPSU under the administrative control of the Department of Defence Production. In May 2025, the Defence Minister had granted Miniratna Category-I status to three other DPSUs—Munitions India Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited and India Optel Limited.
The decision reinforces the Government’s commitment to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, focusing on strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, reducing import dependence, and positioning India as a global hub for defence production.
