Best Penny Stocks Under Re 1 in India 2026: List & Risks
August 7, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS

The best infrastructure stocks in India for 2026 include L&T, Power Grid, IRB Infrastructure, RVNL, and KNR Constructions, backed by the Union Budget 2026-27's Rs 12.2 lakh crore capex allocation. If you are shortlisting the best infrastructure stocks in 2026, order book quality and government-linked revenue visibility should top your checklist. These companies combine strong order books, government-linked revenue visibility, and multi-year execution track records. (Data: NSE/BSE, company filings, FY26)
| Company | Segment | Order Book / Scale | Debt-to-Equity | ROCE / ROE | 5-Yr Profit CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larsen and Toubro | Diversified EPC | Rs 7.4 lakh cr order book | 0.35 (net) | — | — |
| Power Grid Corporation | Power Transmission | Rs 4.5 lakh cr asset base | Low, regulated | 15-17% ROE | — |
| RVNL | Railways EPC | Govt-backed pure play | 0.56 | — | 20% |
| KNR Constructions | Roads, Irrigation | Mid-cap | 0.33 | 19% ROCE | 23% |
| H.G. Infra Engineering | Roads, Highways | Mid-cap | — | 24% ROCE | 34% |
| NTPC Ltd | Power Generation | 89+ GW capacity | — | — | — |
| Adani Ports and SEZ | Ports, Logistics | Largest private port network | — | 70% EBITDA margin (Mundra) | — |
| IRB Infrastructure | Roads and Tolls | 15,000+ km toll concessions | HAM/BOT model | — | — |
Data sourced from NSE/BSE company filings, ICRA credit reports, and FY26 annual/quarterly results. Last updated: August 2026.
Want to screen these live with your own filters? The Dhanarthi stock screener lets you filter infrastructure stocks screener-style by P/E, debt levels, ROCE, and revenue growth.
Here is a data-backed look at the top 10 infrastructure stocks in India, plus two additional names that increasingly show up in institutional coverage. Unlike a generic top 10 infrastructure stocks list, every name here is backed by an actual order book, ROCE, or debt figure. These are not buy recommendations, just a fundamentals-first roundup.
L&T is the largest name among infrastructure stocks NSE has to offer. Its consolidated order book grew 28% year-on-year to Rs 7.4 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026, translating to roughly 3.4 times its FY26 core order-book-relevant revenue (Source: ICRA credit rating report, May 2026). FY26 revenue rose 12% to Rs 2.86 lakh crore, and net debt-to-equity improved to 0.35 from 0.60 a year earlier. Order inflow grew 22% to Rs 4.36 lakh crore, with international orders (mainly Middle East) now 52% of the backlog.
Power Grid is the country's central transmission utility, a core name among power sector stocks. It runs a regulated asset base of roughly Rs 4.5 lakh crore, earning a 15-17% regulated ROE with 35-year concessions and near-zero volume or price risk. FY26 consolidated profit came in at Rs 15,921 crore on revenue of Rs 46,996 crore, with a total dividend of Rs 9 per share for the year (Source: Company FY26 results, May 2026).
IRB is India's largest BOT (Build Operate Transfer) road operator, with more than 15,000 km of toll road concessions under HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) and BOT structures. Under HAM, the government pays roughly 40% of project cost upfront and the remaining 60% as an inflation-linked annuity over 15 years, which removes most of the traffic and toll-collection risk that used to hurt pure BOT operators.
NTPC is India's largest power generator, with group capacity crossing 89 GW after adding roughly 9,618 MW in FY26, including meaningful renewable capacity through NTPC Green Energy. FY26 consolidated profit rose to Rs 27,545.76 crore, with a total dividend of Rs 9 per share, the company's 33rd consecutive year of dividend payment (Source: Company FY26 results, May 2026).
RVNL is a government-backed pure play on Indian Railways' modernisation. Over the last 5 years, sales grew at a 17% CAGR and profit at a 20% CAGR, while the debt-to-equity ratio stayed low at 0.56 (Source: company financials, FY26). For investors who specifically want govt infrastructure stocks with railway exposure, RVNL is a direct route.
India's largest private port operator, handling a significant share of the country's cargo volume. Its flagship Mundra port posted a 70% EBITDA margin in FY26 (excluding port development and SEZ income), and the board proposed a dividend of Rs 7.5 per share for the year (Source: Company FY26 operational highlights).
KNR is a mid-cap road and irrigation EPC company with one of the sector's better capital efficiency profiles: 19% ROCE, a low 0.33 debt-to-equity ratio, an 18.64% operating profit margin, and a 5-year profit CAGR of 23% (Source: company financials, FY26). For investors comfortable with mid-cap exposure, this is one of the stronger names on fundamentals.
H.G. Infra specialises in highway and road construction. It posted a 24% ROCE and a 5-year profit CAGR of 34%, among the highest in the road EPC space (Source: company financials, FY26). It is smaller and more volatile than the large caps on this list, so position sizing matters more here.
A road-focused mid-cap EPC player known for a conservative balance sheet and a steady stream of NHAI project wins. It has scaled revenue significantly over the past few years while keeping leverage manageable, which is unusual in a sub-sector where debt tends to build up fast.
Kalpataru works across power transmission, railways, urban infrastructure, and oil and gas pipelines. Its diversification across sub-segments gives it more resilience than pure-play road developers when any single vertical slows down.
A mid-cap construction company focused on roads, runways, and water infrastructure, with a consistent record of project execution and profitability. It regularly features in top 5 infrastructure stocks in india shortlists from brokerages covering the mid-cap EPC space.
HCC specialises in complex, technically demanding infrastructure: hydroelectric projects, tunnels, and nuclear-linked civil work. It has faced debt challenges in the past, but its specialised project pipeline keeps it on many watchlists for investors comfortable with higher risk.
India is mid-way through its largest public infrastructure buildout. Roads, railways, ports, power transmission, and urban development are all being funded at a scale not seen before, and that spending flows directly into the order books of listed infrastructure companies.
The infrastructure stocks list broadly covers road and highway developers, power transmission and generation companies, railway and logistics players, port operators, and diversified EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) conglomerates. This sector overlaps heavily with best green energy stocks in India, best Indian railway sector stocks, and best PSU sector stocks. If you already hold any of these, you likely have partial exposure to infrastructure stocks in India already.
Understanding how to read a company's balance sheet matters more here than in most sectors. Start with fundamentals of stock analysis before picking individual names.
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented in February 2026, raised public capital expenditure to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, up from Rs 11.2 lakh crore in FY2025-26 (Source: Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2026-27, February 2026). This is up from just Rs 2 lakh crore in FY2014-15, an almost six-fold increase over a decade.
Two announcements matter most for top infrastructure stocks in India 2026:
Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund: A new public credit guarantee mechanism for lenders financing infrastructure projects. This is designed to reduce completion and execution risk during the construction phase, which historically has been the biggest reason private capital stays cautious on infrastructure lending (Source: PIB, February 2026).
Continued reliance on InvITs and REITs: The budget reiterated asset monetisation through Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), alongside institutions like NIIF and NABFID, to mobilise long-term capital without adding directly to government debt.
For govt infrastructure stocks, this budget cycle is the strongest tailwind in years. For private EPC players, it means a deeper, more consistent order pipeline over FY27 and FY28.
Picking infrastructure stocks is not the same as picking a consumer or tech stock. Long project cycles, thin margins, and heavy capital expenditure change what actually matters.
Order Book Size and Quality: Revenue visibility for the next 2-4 years comes from the order book. A ratio above 3x annual revenue, like L&T's current 3.4x, is generally considered healthy.
Debt Levels: Infrastructure companies carry meaningful debt because projects are capital-heavy. Check the debt-to-equity ratio against peers in the same sub-segment before assuming a company is "safe."
Working Capital Situation: Government projects often mean delayed payments. Companies with stretched receivables can face cash flow stress even with a full order book. The cash flow statement tells you more here than the P&L does.
Margins and Profitability: EBITDA margins in construction typically range from 10 to 18%. Companies consistently at the higher end, like KNR at 18.64% OPM, tend to be better managed. Cross-check the income statement with the balance sheet.
Valuation: Infrastructure stocks trade at higher multiples during capex upcycles and compress during slowdowns. The P/E ratio and price-to-book ratio help you judge fair value, ideally alongside an intrinsic value estimate.
If you are new to this, this guide on how to analyse a stock before investing is a good starting point.
Govt infrastructure stocks are companies that are either government-owned or heavily dependent on government contracts, where revenue tends to be more predictable than pure private-sector work.
Power Grid, NTPC, RVNL, and IRCON International fall into this bucket. They rarely deliver explosive short-term returns, but they offer stability and, in most cases, regular dividends.
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), India's flagship rural road connectivity scheme, continues to be a steady order source for mid-sized road EPC contractors and material suppliers operating in rural and semi-urban regions, alongside the larger NHAI highway pipeline. Investors tracking rural infrastructure exposure often look at smaller road contractors and cement or aggregates suppliers that service PMGSY-linked tenders, in addition to the large-cap names above.
For a broader view of government-backed options, best PSU sector stocks covers more names across sectors. If you would rather not pick individual stocks, infrastructure-themed mutual funds or ETFs are another route. Mutual funds vs index funds explains which structure suits you better.
Infrastructure stocks price movements are driven by a mix of macro and company-specific factors:
Budget Announcements: The Union Budget, presented every February, sets the tone for the year. The jump to Rs 12.2 lakh crore in capex for FY2026-27 is a direct example of how one announcement can lift the entire sector.
Order Wins: A single large order win can move a stock meaningfully in one session. Tracking quarterly order inflow, not just the order book number, is key.
Interest Rates: Higher rates raise borrowing costs for capital-intensive companies. When the RBI raises rates, infrastructure stocks can see pressure, especially names with higher leverage.
Execution Updates: Companies that deliver projects on time trade at a premium. Delays and cost overruns get punished quickly by the market.
FII and DII Activity: When foreign and domestic institutions buy into infrastructure, it usually signals broader confidence in the capex cycle. Understanding FII and DII flows helps you read where institutional money is moving.
For a 5 to 10 year holding period, short-term price noise matters less. What matters more:
L&T, Power Grid, and Adani Ports have shown the ability to compound over long periods on these criteria. Smaller names like KNR Constructions and H.G. Infra Engineering have delivered strong long-term returns for investors who did the balance sheet work early, though they come with more volatility.
To compare infrastructure with other long-term themes, see best defence sector stocks, best EV stocks in India, and best green energy stocks. A sector analysis guide can help you build a more structured framework before committing capital.
Individual stock picking in infrastructure is genuinely hard even when the sector story is strong. Project delays, government payment cycles, debt, and thin margins can trip up even well-researched picks. The Budget 2026-27 capex jump to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, combined with the new Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund, strengthens the multi-year case for the sector, but it does not remove execution risk at the company level.
Focus on order book quality, debt levels, and execution history before anything else. Infrastructure stocks reward patient, informed investors who pick companies with strong fundamentals and clear revenue visibility over the ones with just a good story.
This article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice. Please consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice. Please consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making investment decisions.
1. Which are the top infrastructure stocks in India for 2026?
L&T, Power Grid, IRB Infrastructure, RVNL, NTPC, Adani Ports, and KNR Constructions are among the most tracked names. The right pick depends on your risk appetite, since large caps offer stability while mid-caps like H.G. Infra carry higher growth and higher volatility.
2. What is the infrastructure stocks list on NSE?
The NSE infrastructure universe spans road builders, power transmission and generation companies, port operators, railway EPC players, and diversified construction conglomerates. A sector-wise stock screener is the fastest way to filter this list by financials.
3. Are infrastructure stocks good for long-term investment?
Yes, for investors with a 5-10 year horizon. With India's capex allocation rising to Rs 12.2 lakh crore in FY2026-27 and multi-year government spending commitments, companies with strong order books and manageable debt have solid long-term potential.
4. What is the difference between govt infrastructure stocks and private infrastructure companies?
Government-owned names like Power Grid, NTPC, and RVNL typically offer more stable, regulated returns and regular dividends. Private players like L&T, IRB Infrastructure, and H.G. Infra Engineering can offer higher growth but carry more execution and balance sheet risk.
5. What are the top 5 infrastructure stocks in India by scale?
By order book and asset scale, L&T, Power Grid, NTPC, Adani Ports, and IRB Infrastructure lead the sector. This is not a ranking by returns, just by size and revenue visibility.
6. How does the Union Budget 2026-27 impact infrastructure stocks?
The Budget raised public capex to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, up from Rs 11.2 lakh crore in FY26, and introduced an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund to reduce lender risk on infrastructure projects. Both directly support order inflow for EPC and transmission companies over FY27-28.
7. Which infrastructure stocks benefit from PMGSY?
PMGSY, India's rural road connectivity scheme, mainly benefits mid-sized road EPC contractors and material suppliers active in rural project tenders, in addition to the larger NHAI-linked highway developers.
8. What should I check before buying infrastructure stocks?
Order book as a multiple of revenue (above 3x is healthy), debt-to-equity ratio versus peers, working capital and receivables, EBITDA margins (10-18% is typical), and valuation against historical P/E ranges.
9. Are power sector stocks part of the infrastructure stocks category?
Yes. Power Grid, NTPC, and other power sector stocks are generally grouped under infrastructure because their revenue is tied to the same government capex and regulatory cycle as roads and railways.
10. Where can I screen infrastructure stocks by financial ratios?
An infrastructure stocks screener lets you filter by P/E, debt-to-equity, ROCE, and order book growth in real time, which is faster than checking each company's filings individually.
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