Physics Wallah

Full Form of PSU, Public Sector Undertaking

The “Public Sector Undertakings” is the full form of PSU. A PSU is a firm in which the Central Government or one or more State Governments, either individually or collectively, control management or have the right to choose a majority of directors.
authorImageGirijesh Singh5 Oct, 2023
Share

Share

Full Form of PSU

What is PSU?

A public sector undertaking means a company in which the Central Government, any State Government, or a combination of the Central Government and one or more State Governments holds at least 50% of the paid-up share capital. It includes a company that is a subsidiary of a Government company as defined.  A PSU is a firm in which the Central Government or one or more State Governments, either individually or collectively, control management or have the right to choose a majority of directors. PSUs are also called statutory corporations, nationalized corporations, and government-owned and government-owned businesses.  The Government of India and one of the several entities own these organizations in full or in part. State or territorial governments own state Public Sector Undertakings (SPSUs), while the Government of India owns Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs).

Features of Public Sector Undertakings

The following are the primary traits of public sector undertakings:
  • Government-funded: The Indian government owns these organizations outright or holds more than 51% of their stock.
  • Government management: These organizations are autonomous yet managed and under the jurisdiction of the Indian government.
  • Financial independence: These organizations plan and manage their own money, and they are not reliant on the Indian government.
  • Public Services: Public sector organisations' main goal is serving the public.
  • Useful for a Variety of Sectors: Public Sector Entities support all economic sectors.
  • Helpful in Implementing Indian Government Plans: Indian Government uses Public Sector Enterprises to carry out economic plans.

History of a Public Sector Undertaking

Even after independence, India remained an agrarian entity with a weak industrial basis. Eighteen states owned the Indian ordnance manufacturers in the entire country. During the British Raj, the decision was that all agricultural production, including jute mills, processing enterprises, railways,  steel mills, banks, coal mines, and electrical utilities, would be entrusted to the private sector. These were just a few major economic firms private-sector businessmen held. Following India's independence, there was widespread support for the industrialization of the Indian economy. The main goal of the Industrial (Development and Regulation) Act was to give the government the authority to take the necessary actions to control the industry. Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first prime minister, and he championed a comprehensive economic program focused on industrialization and import substitution.

Category of public sector undertakings 

PSUs are of the following three types-
  • State Level Public Enterprises (SLPEs)
  • Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)
  • PSBs stands for Public Sector Banks.

Famous public sector undertakings in India

  • CIL - Coal India Limited.
  • HPCL - Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.
  • BHEL - Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.
  • FCI - Food Corporation of India.
  • SBI - State Bank of India.
  • SAIL - Steel Authority of India Limited.
  • GAIL - Gas Authority of India Limited.
  • NTPC - National Thermal Power Corporation.
  • PGCIL - Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.
  • MTNL - Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.
[wp-faq-schema title=" Full Form of PSU FAQs" accordion=1]

How many people serve on the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)?

The Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) has 22 members, 15 of whom elected by the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, and 7 by the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament.

What is the primary goal of the Public Sector Undertaking?

The primary goal of the Public Sector Undertaking is to improve public services and the country's economic development.

What Is the distinction between a Public Sector Undertaking And a Government Company?

A Public Sector Undertaking is a corporation with more than 51% of its shares owned by the Indian Central, State, or Local Government.

Is the State Bank of India a public-sector enterprise?

SBI is a Public Sector Undertaking because it is an Indian Multinational Public Sector Bank.

Is the Reserve Bank of India a public sector enterprise?

The Reserve Bank of India was originally a privately owned organization, but upon its nationalization in 1949, it became a Public Sector Undertaking.
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.