Public sector is a vital part of Indian economy. It contributes enormously to the advancement of the infrastructure of the country. Due to the measures relating to deregulation, globalization and liberalization adopted by the Central Government, Indian public sector has experienced a paradigm shift from its previous state. In fact, in order to survive in today’s hi-tech competitive environment, public sector enterprises have to reorient their policies. A large number of researches have been undertaken to evaluate individually the different aspects of the financial performance of public sector enterprises. However, no comprehensive study for measuring the overall financial performance has been made in the recent past. The present study is a serious attempt to measure the overall financial performance of 10 selected companies in Indian public sector during the period 1997-98 to 2011-12. Relevant statistical tools and techniques have been used for data analysis.

The public sector has been performing an important role in Indian economy. In fact, its role in developing the infrastructural facilities, mainly in the economically weak areas of the country cannot be ignored. Due to the liberalization policy taken by the Government of India, the public sector has been experiencing major challenges with respect to its financial performance. A large number of studies have been undertaken to evaluate individually the different aspects of the financial performance of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs). During the recent past, some studies have been carried out on the issue of financial performance of some PSEs in India (Mllick and Sur, 1999; Nagaraj, 2006; Mishra, 2007; and Singh and Chittedi, 2011). Till date, no comprehensive study has been carried out to deal with the matter relating to financial performance of PSEs in India in recent times, considering all the major dimensions of financial performance. Besides this, the results derived from prior studies on this topic are contradictory in nature. Against this backdrop, the present study is an attempt to measure the overall financial performance of 10 selected companies in Indian public sector during the period 1997-98 to 2011-12.

Management Research Journal, Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), Sample Design, Data Collection, Capitaline Corporate Database, Capital Market Publishers, Financial Performance Analysis, Public Sector,Central Government, Enterprises in India.