New Delhi, March 6 -- On 3 March, the Indian government announced that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) had been awarded 'Navratna' status, marking a defining moment in the company's already remarkable journey.

The stock has gained 3.5% since the announcement, signaling investor optimism, though it remains down 11% over the past month and 26% over the past six months. Despite these fluctuations, IRCTC has delivered an impressive 346.13% all-time return, underscoring its long-term growth story.

From its origins as a subsidiary of Indian Railways focused on ticketing and catering, IRCTC has grown into a travel and tourism powerhouse, enjoying a monopoly in online railway ticketing and a dominant presence in cate...