What Are Unlisted Companies?
What "unlisted" means? A listed company is one whose shares can be bought and sold on the stock market. Unlisted companies, on the other hand, are those which are privately owned, meaning their shares are not available for public trading. It can be a huge company or businesses, but their ownership remains with private investors, promoters, or parent companies such as Amul India.Tata Group has many such unlisted companies that play a major role in India’s economy. Let’s explore some of them.
1. Air India – The Maharaja's Revival
Air India is one of India’s oldest airlines. But it faced huge financial losses for years. The government couldn’t run it efficiently, leading to poor services, delays, and mounting debt. In 2022, Tata Group took over Air India. This was a historic event because the airline originally belonged to Tata before it was nationalised in 1953. Now, under Tata’s management, Air India is undergoing a transformation. The company has placed the biggest aircraft order in India’s history—470 new planes! This will improve services, reduce flight delays, and make Air India a global airline again. Even though Air India is unlisted, it’s a company to watch. If Tata decides to list it in the future, it could be a game-changer in the aviation sector.2. Tata Capital – The Financial Powerhouse
When we think about taking loans, investments, or need insurance, the first bank comes to our mind is like HDFC or SBI. But do you know that Tata Group has its own financial giant? Tata Capital is a one of the Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), which means it works like a bank but without holding a banking license. It means it cant accept deposits as such banks.It offers personal loans, business loans, home loans, and wealth management services. Tata Capital has recently announced for an IPO (Initial Public Offering) in 2025. It means people can buy shares of this company from exchange. But you can buy shares before listing also by various brokers or agents.3. Tata Play – More Than Just TV
Remember Tata Sky? It’s now called Tata Play. It started as a DTH (Direct-to-Home) service, bringing satellite TV to Indian homes. But today, it’s much more than that. Tata Play offers a combination of traditional TV and online streaming. With its "Binge" service, users can access Netflix, Hotstar, and Amazon Prime—all in one place. This mix of old and new technology has kept Tata Play relevant in the digital age. Like Tata Capital, Tata Play is also planning to go public. This means in the future, its shares will be available on the stock market.4. Tata AutoComp Systems – The Backbone of the Automobile Industry
When we see a Tata car on the road, we think of Tata Motors. But do you know who supplies the parts for these cars? It’s Tata AutoComp Systems. This unlisted company manufactures key automobile components like bumpers, batteries, and electric vehicle parts. It supplies not just Tata Motors but also companies like Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra. With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), Tata AutoComp is becoming more important. It has already partnered with foreign firms to make batteries and charging solutions for EVs. If listed, this company could attract major investors.5. Infiniti Retail (Croma) – The Electronics King
If you’ve ever bought a laptop, phone, or TV from a Croma store, you’ve done business with Infiniti Retail. This Tata-owned company operates Croma, one of India’s largest electronics retail chains. Despite facing competition from online giants like Amazon and Flipkart, Croma has managed to grow by offering better in-store experiences and after-sales services. It has also expanded its online presence. Croma’s strong brand value and market share make it a potential candidate for an IPO in the future.6. Tata Advanced Systems – India’s Defence Power
India’s defence sector has long depended on foreign imports for fighter jets, weapons, and security systems. But Tata Advanced Systems is changing that. This company builds aircraft parts, drones, and military equipment for India’s armed forces. It has also partnered with global defence companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing to manufacture fighter jet components in India. But did you know that they are also working on satellites, rockets, and space technology? India’s space sector is booming, with private companies entering the field. With ISRO’s success in Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1, Tata sees an opportunity to build India’s next-generation space infrastructure. Tata Advanced Systems is already making key components for satellites, and they may soon expand into full-scale rocket development. If India becomes a lobal space hub, Tata will be a key player.7. Tata AIA Life & Tata AIG – The Insurance Giants
Insurance is a big business in India. Two Tata companies—Tata AIA Life and Tata AIG—operate in this space. Tata AIA Life focuses on life insurance. It helps people secure their families' future with term plans and savings plans. Tata AIG offers general insurance, including health, motor, and travel insurance. Both companies have strong market presence and compete with big players like LIC, ICICI Prudential, and Bajaj Allianz. Many investors are waiting for Tata AIA Life to go public because life insurance companies tend to perform well in the stock market.8. Tata Realty & Infrastructure – Building the Future
Tata is not just about steel and software; it also builds cities! Tata Realty & Infrastructure is involved in real estate projects, including commercial buildings, residential apartments, and highways. This company is developing world-class office spaces, IT parks, and metro projects. As India’s infrastructure grows, so does Tata Realty. If listed, it could become a major investment opportunity in the real estate sector.9. The Rise of Tata Electronics – A New Tech Giant?
We haven’t talked about Tata Electronics, but it’s one of the most exciting unlisted companies in the group. Tata Electronics is working on making semiconductor chips in India. Right now, India depends on countries like Taiwan and China for chips, which are used in mobile phones, cars, and laptops. Tata is investing heavily in this space, and if successful, India will have its own semiconductor industry. Why does this matter? Because semiconductor manufacturing is a billion-dollar industry, and Tata’s entry could reduce India's dependence on imports. If this company goes public, it could be a major player in the global tech industry.10. Tata Consumer & BigBasket – A Future E-commerce Leader?
Many people don’t know that Tata is now in the online grocery business. In 2021, Tata bought a majority stake in BigBasket, India’s leading online supermarket. This is Tata’s way of competing with giants like Amazon and Reliance in the e-commerce space. The interesting part? Tata is integrating BigBasket with Tata Neu, their digital app that offers shopping, travel, and food delivery—all in one place. Imagine ordering groceries, booking flights, and buying electronics from one app! This company is still unlisted, but if it goes for an IPO, it could become one of the biggest digital companies in India.11.Tata Medical & Diagnostics – India’s Healthcare Revolution
After COVID-19, healthcare became a hot topic in India. Many companies entered this space, but Tata has quietly built a strong presence through Tata Medical & Diagnostics (Tata MD). This company developed India’s first COVID-19 testing kit with high accuracy, and they are now working on cancer detection, affordable medical devices, and diagnostic tools. Tata MD aims to bring affordable healthcare to every Indian. If they succeed, this could be one of the most impactful Tata companies in the future.12.Tata’s Hotel Empire – Indian Hospitality at Its Best
When we talk about luxury hotels in India, we think of the Taj Hotels. But did you know that Tata Group owns them? Taj Hotels is part of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which operates premium hotels like Taj, Vivanta, and Ginger. They are expanding globally, opening hotels in Dubai, London, and New York. Even though IHCL is already listed, Tata also owns unlisted hospitality businesses under Roots Corporation and other private hotel ventures. The best part? They are now offering Taj-branded private luxury homes, bringing 5-star hotel experiences to personal residences. This could be the next big trend in the real estate-hospitality sector.Why Are These Companies Still Unlisted?
Many of these companies are highly successful, so why aren’t they listed yet? There are a few reasons: Ownership Control: Tata Group wants to retain full control over these businesses without outside shareholders. Long-Term Strategy: Some businesses are still growing, and Tata may want to list them at the right time for maximum value. Market Conditions: The stock market goes through ups and downs. Companies prefer to list when the market is strong. However, as we have seen, some of these companies—like Tata Capital and Tata Play—are preparing for IPOs, which means they will soon become listed.The Hidden Strength of Tata Group
Tata Group is more than just TCS, Tata Steel, or Tata Motors. Many unlisted companies are silently shaping industries, from aviation to finance to defence. While we cannot invest in them today, these companies play a crucial role in India’s economy. If you are an investor, keeping an eye on Tata’s unlisted companies can give you insights into future opportunities. And if you are just curious about the Tata empire, knowing about these hidden giants helps you appreciate the group's vast reach.What do you think? Which of these Tata companies do you believe should go public first? Let us know in the comments!
