Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) has officially been conferred Navratna status, making it the 27th Central Public Sector Enterprise in the country to attain this recognition. The upgrade was approved by the Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Finance, marking a major milestone for the refinery and for the energy ecosystem of the Northeast.

Before this elevation, NRL operated as a Miniratna Category-I and Schedule-A CPSE. With the Navratna tag, the company now gains significantly greater financial and operational independence. This includes the authority to independently invest in projects of up to ₹1,000 crore or 15% of its net worth, whichever is lower, without needing prior government approval. The additional autonomy is expected to accelerate decision-making on domestic and international joint ventures, capacity expansion, and diversification projects.

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NRL has earned this upgradation on the back of strong financial health and consistent business performance. In the fiscal year 2024–25, the refinery reported a turnover of around ₹25,147 crore and a net profit of approximately ₹1,608 crore, reaffirming its track record of profitability.

The development is also significant for the wider Northeast region, where NRL plays a crucial role as a strategic energy anchor. The company is currently undertaking multiple expansion initiatives, including enhancements to refinery capacity and downstream petrochemical projects. It is also working on green energy initiatives such as a bamboo-based second-generation bioethanol plant, positioning itself as a contributor to India’s clean fuel transition.

With its new Navratna status, NRL is set to gain greater flexibility in capital allocation, technology partnerships, and overseas opportunities. This is expected to further boost industrial growth and energy security in Assam and the northeastern region while strengthening India’s broader energy infrastructure.

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