The correct answer is: A. Public Sector Companies
Navratna Status is a status conferred by the Government of India on certain public sector undertakings (PSUs) in India. The status is given to PSUs that are considered to be of strategic importance to the country. The benefits of Navaratna Status include greater autonomy in decision-making, access to capital markets, and the ability to raise funds from the government.
The first batch of Navaratna companies was announced in 1997. The list of Navaratna companies has been revised several times since then. The current list of Navaratna companies includes:
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
- Coal India Limited (CIL)
- GAIL (India) Limited
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
- Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL)
- National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC)
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
- Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)
- Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
- Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI)
- Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL)
The Navaratna Status is a recognition of the contribution of these companies to the Indian economy. These companies are playing a vital role in the development of the country.