An Analysis of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Becoming the 14th Maharatna Company in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2025v4i1285-295Keywords:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Maharatna Status, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Financial Performance, Defense SectorAbstract
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a pivotal entity in India's defence and aerospace industry, attained Maharatna status on October 14, 2024, becoming the 14th Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) to acquire this distinction. This elevation provides HAL with increased financial autonomy, allowing it to undertake strategic investments of up to ₹5,000 crore without prior government consent. This research paper offers an extensive examination of the elements leading to HAL's Maharatna designation, emphasising its financial performance, research and development (R&D) expenditures, strategic initiatives, and operational efficiency from 2014 to 2024. The study utilises a mixed-methods methodology to analyse financial data, government papers, and academic literature in order to evaluate HAL's trajectory. The results demonstrate that substantial revenue growth, heightened R&D expenditure, and strategic global partnerships were crucial in attaining Maharatna status. The document examines prospective ramifications, encompassing HAL's contribution to promoting defence self-sufficiency, augmenting global competitiveness, and fortifying corporate governance.
References
[1] Agarwal, P., & Verma, R. (2017). Impact of government policies on the performance of public sector undertakings in India. Journal of Public Administration, 45(2), 123-135.
[2] Chaturvedi, K.K. and Bisaria, C. 2025. Challenges and Barriers in Integrating ICT and AI Technology in Higher Education: A Critical Exploration. International Journal of Innovations in Science, Engineering and Management. 3, 2 (Feb. 2025), 382-389.https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2024v3si2382-389.
[3] Business Standard. (2024, October 15). HAL's rising exports and strategic global partnerships. Business Standard. Retrieved from www.business-standard.com
[4] Chatterjee, S., & Banerjee, A. (2020). Financial performance analysis of Maharatna companies in India. International Journal of Business and Management, 15(5), 45-58.
[5] Department of Public Enterprises. (2010). Introduction of 'Maharatna' scheme for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Retrieved from www.dpe.gov.in
[6] Department of Public Enterprises. (2014). Eligibility criteria for grant of Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna status to CPSEs. Retrieved from www.dpe.gov.in
[7] Department of Public Enterprises. (2024). Public sector enterprises - Maharatna status. Retrieved from www.dpe.gov.in
[8] Gupta, R., & Gupta, S. (2017). Evolution of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: A journey towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Defence Studies Journal, 12(3), 89-102.
[9] HAL. (2023). Annual report 2022-23. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Retrieved from www.hal-india.co.in
[10] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. (2024). Annual report 2023-24. Retrieved from www.hal-india.co.in
[11] Kumar, V., & Singh, A. (2016). Enhancing global competitiveness of Indian defense PSUs: A strategic perspective. Global Business Review, 17(4), 765-780.
[12] Mehta, P., & Jain, S. (2018). Corporate governance practices in Maharatna companies: A case study of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Indian Journal of Corporate Governance, 11(1), 56-72.
[13] Ministry of Defence. (2023). Defence production policy 2023. Government of India. Retrieved from www.mod.gov.in
[14] Nair, R., & Subramanian, S. (2020). Innovation strategies of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: Driving self-reliance in aerospace and defense sectors. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 9(1), 12-25.
[15] Patel, M., & Desai, K. (2021). Financial autonomy and investment decisions in Maharatna public sector undertakings. Finance India, 35(2), 567-582.
[16] Press Trust of India. (2024, October 14). HAL becomes 14th Maharatna Company in India. The Economic Times.
[17] Press Trust of India. (2024, October 14). Hindustan Aeronautics Limited awarded Maharatna status. The Economic Times. Retrieved from www.economictimes.com
[18] Rao, P., & Thomas, A. (2019). The role of research and development in the growth of defense public sector undertakings in India. Defence Science Journal, 69(6), 567-573.
[19] Sharma, A., & Sehgal, R. (2015). 'Make in India' initiative: A boost to indigenous defense production. Journal of Defence Studies, 9(2), 45-60.
[20] Singh, R., & Kaur, M. (2022). Strategic expansion of Indian public sector undertakings: An analysis of global ventures. International Journal of Management Studies, 19(3), 112-128.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Puja Kumari, Rahul Singh, Shikha Singh, Ashish Gupta, Smita Mishra, Jiya Wadhwa

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Re-users must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. This license allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as the original work is properly credited.