What are PSUs? Is it a Government Job?
What are PSUs?
PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) are companies that are owned and operated by the government, either fully or partially.
Key Points about PSUs
- Ownership
- Central PSUs → Controlled by the Central Government (e.g., ONGC, BHEL, SAIL).
- State PSUs → Controlled by State Governments (e.g., state transport corporations, state power companies).
- The government usually holds 51% or more of the company’s shares.
Are PSU Jobs Government Jobs?
Not exactly, but they are government-backed. Working in a PSU is considered a government job if you are a permanent employee.
However, some PSU roles are on contract, which means they may not have full government job benefits.
Employees receive benefits similar to government jobs, such as job security, pension schemes (in some cases), allowances, and healthcare.
Key Differences
| Feature | Government Job (e.g., IAS, SSC) | PSU Job (e.g., ONGC, SAIL) |
|---|
| Employer | Directly under central/state govt. | Govt-owned company |
| Recruitment | UPSC, SSC, State PSCs | GATE, PSU-specific exams, interviews |
| Salary | Fixed pay scales (7th CPC) | Higher pay (varies by PSU) + perks |
| Job Security | Very high (permanent) | High (but some roles may be contractual) |
| Work Culture | More bureaucratic | More corporate-like |
Examples of Popular PSUs
- Energy → ONGC, NTPC, GAIL, IOCL
- Engineering & Manufacturing → BHEL, BEL, HAL
- Banking & Finance → SBI, PNB, LIC, NABARD
- Transport → Air India (now privatized), Indian Railways (technically not a PSU but a government department)
Conclusion
PSU jobs are not pure government jobs, but they offer similar stability with better pay in many cases. They are a strong career option for those seeking job security along with a mix of corporate and public-sector benefits.
