Viral list overstates Modi PSU privatizations at 23 instead of 13 official sales?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @revolterpriya

The Reel's central narrative that the Modi government pursued PSU privatization is valid, but its figure of 23 privatized companies reflects political rhetoric. The Reel shares a viral list claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi created zero public sector undertakings and privatized 23. The claim of 23 privatizations originates from political statements by CPI leader R. Mutharasan reported by The Hindu. Official data reported by PTI shows the government completed 13 strategic disinvestments in public sector undertakings over the past decade.

4 claims checked
2 sources
Checked 31 Oct 2026
Main source: Modi only PM who has not set up any PSU, but privatised 23 of them: CPI - The Hindu

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The Reel we checked

@revolterpriya

Modi ji ne kitni company banai or kitni bechi.? 😂 #bjpgovernment

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What we checked

Jawaharlal Nehru created 33 public sector companies and sold none.No reliable source found for this yet.

Indira Gandhi created 66 public sector companies and sold none.No reliable source found for this yet.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee created 17 new companies and privatized 7.No reliable source found for this yet.

Manmohan Singh created 23 companies and sold 3.No reliable source found for this yet.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

CPI State Secretary R. Mutharasan claimed Narendra Modi privatised 23 public sector units and created zero new ones (The Hindu).
PTI reported that the Modi government completed 13 strategic disinvestments in public sector undertakings over the past decade (Rediff).
What can't be established: The exact historical count of public sector companies created and privatized under each former Prime Minister.

Short version

🌗 PARTLY TRUE 👉 The Reel's central narrative that the Modi government pursued PSU privatization is valid, but its figure of 23 privatized companies reflects political rhetoric. 👉 The claim of 23 privatizations originates from political statements by CPI leader R. Mutharasan reported by The Hindu. 📰 Sources: The Hindu, Rediff 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat