Tata Steel has been conferred the coveted 'Prime Minister's Trophy' for the best performing steel plant for 1999-2000. Tata Steel has been adjudged to be the best steel plant for the third time since this trophy was instituted in 1992-93. The company was previously conferred this award in 1995-96 and 1998-99. The award has been recommended by a panel of judges comprising eminent personalities from various fields, and it is based on their assessment of the performance of all the integrated steel plants in India.

The panel of judges made on-site assessments and evaluations of various parameters of performance, such as financial performance, production, environment, leadership management, marketing initiatives, quality initiatives, customer satisfaction, innovative operating, business practices and corporate sustainability.

In recognition of its outstanding performance, the Prime Minister's Trophy for 1999-2000 was presented to Tata Steel on February 14, 2002, by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the prime minister of India. B. Muthuraman, managing director, Tata Steel, received the award on behalf of the company.