The Government of India has conferred Navratna status upon the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), a noteworthy achievement for the financial institution operating under the Ministry of Railways.
At the close of the financial year on March 31, 2024, IRFC positioned itself as the third-largest government Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India, reporting a revenue exceeding ₹26,600 crore and a profit after tax of over ₹6,400 crore. The shares of IRFC were trading at ₹116.98, marking a rise of ₹2.39 or 2.09 per cent on the NSE at 1.25 pm.
Founded in 1986 as a fully government-owned entity, IRFC has played a pivotal role in financing the expansion of Indian Railways’ infrastructure. The company has supported nearly 80 per cent of railway rolling stock and was the first Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) to issue a 30-year tenor bond in foreign markets.
As of December 31, 2024, IRFC boasts a market capitalization exceeding ₹2,00,000 crore, assets under management of ₹4.61 lakh crore, and a net worth of around ₹52,000 crore. The company is now diversifying its portfolio beyond railway asset financing into sectors such as power generation, mining, fuel, warehousing, telecom, and hospitality.
Manoj Kumar Dubey, CMD & CEO of IRFC, emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting India’s infrastructure growth, particularly as the nation aims to achieve a $10 trillion economy in the Amrit Kaal period.
The article was published on March 5, 2025.
