BSNL Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Direct Recruitment 2026
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's premier telecommunications service provider, has announced direct recruitment for 120 Senior Executive Trainee (SET) positions across Telecom and Finance streams. This is a prestigious opportunity for engineering graduates and finance professionals to build a rewarding career in one of India's largest public sector undertakings in the telecom sector.
BSNL SET recruitment 2026 offers excellent career growth prospects with attractive salary packages, job security, and comprehensive benefits. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous training before being absorbed as Junior Telecom Officers (JTO) in the Telecom stream or Finance Officers in the Finance stream. This recruitment is part of BSNL's expansion and modernization initiatives, including the rollout of 4G/5G networks across India.
About BSNL and Career Prospects
BSNL is a Government of India enterprise providing comprehensive range of telecom services including mobile, landline, broadband internet, enterprise solutions, and national/international long distance services. With presence across India except Delhi and Mumbai, BSNL serves millions of subscribers and plays a crucial role in connecting rural and remote areas.
Working with BSNL offers numerous advantages including job security, work-life balance, opportunities for professional development, exposure to cutting-edge telecom technologies, and attractive compensation packages. BSNL employees enjoy various welfare schemes, medical facilities, housing assistance, and retirement benefits. The organization also provides ample opportunities for higher education and skill development through sponsored programs.
Vacancy Details and Post Distribution
The total number of vacancies is 120 posts distributed across two streams - Telecom Stream and Finance Stream. The Telecom stream comprises approximately 100 positions for engineering graduates specializing in Electronics, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Electrical, and related branches. The Finance stream has around 20 positions reserved for Chartered Accountants (CA) and Cost and Management Accountants (CMA).
Vacancies are spread across all BSNL circles covering various states and union territories. Circle-wise and category-wise (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/UR/PwBD) vacancy details are provided in the official notification. Candidates can indicate their preferred circles during application, though final posting will be based on merit, vacancies, and organizational requirements. Inter-circle transfers are possible after completing the minimum service period.
Educational Qualification Requirements
For Telecom Stream: Candidates must possess BE/B.Tech or equivalent degree in Electronics, Telecommunication, Radio Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, IT, Electrical, or Electronics & Communication from AICTE approved institutions or recognized universities. The degree should have been obtained through regular mode only; distance or correspondence degrees are not acceptable.
For Finance Stream: Candidates must be qualified Chartered Accountants (CA) registered with ICAI or Cost and Management Accountants (CMA) registered with ICMAI. Candidates who have cleared the final examination of CA/CMA but not yet registered can also apply, provided they obtain registration before document verification. Professional qualification certificates must be valid and verifiable.
Age Limit and Relaxation Details
The minimum age limit is 21 years and maximum age limit is 30 years as on the closing date of online registration (07 March 2026). Candidates born between 08 March 1996 and 07 March 2005 are eligible. Age is calculated based on birth certificate or 10th standard certificate as proof of date of birth.
Age relaxation is provided as per Government of India norms: SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years relaxation, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities get 10 years relaxation, and Ex-servicemen get relaxation as per applicable rules. Candidates from J&K domicile who ordinarily resided in J&K during 1980-1989 get 5 years relaxation. Women candidates belonging to unreserved category also get certain relaxations as per BSNL policy.
Pay Scale and Salary Structure
Senior Executive Trainees will be appointed in IDA pay scale E-3 with basic pay ranging from Rs. 24,900 to Rs. 50,500. The initial basic pay will be Rs. 24,900 per month. In addition to basic pay, employees are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Medical Benefits, and other perquisites as per IDA scales and BSNL rules.
The total Cost to Company (CTC) for a Senior Executive Trainee works out to approximately Rs. 6.5 to Rs. 7.5 lakhs per annum at the entry level, which increases progressively with annual increments and DA revisions. After successful completion of training and confirmation, employees are eligible for regular promotions to higher grades based on performance and seniority. BSNL also provides various allowances for field postings, travel, and special assignments.
Selection Process and Examination Pattern
The selection process consists of a Computer Based Test (CBT) followed by document verification. The CBT will be conducted online at designated test centers across India. For Telecom stream, the test will cover Engineering concepts, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English Language. For Finance stream, the test will focus on Accounting, Finance, Taxation, Costing, Financial Management, and related subjects.
The CBT will be of 3 hours duration with 200 multiple choice questions carrying 200 marks. There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. The exam will be bilingual (Hindi and English) except for language and aptitude sections. Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks (40% for UR/EWS, 35% for OBC, 30% for SC/ST/PwBD) to be considered for selection.
Final selection will be purely based on merit in CBT. There is no interview for this recruitment. Candidates securing ranks within the advertised vacancies in their respective categories and preferred circles will be called for document verification. Upon satisfactory verification and medical examination, appointment orders will be issued.
Application Fee and Payment Mode
The application fee for General, OBC, and EWS category candidates is Rs. 1000/-. SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates are exempted from paying application fee. The fee can be paid only through online mode using Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Payment through challan, demand draft, or cash is not accepted.
Candidates should note that the application fee once paid is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances. In case of multiple registrations, only the latest application will be considered valid. Candidates are advised to ensure their eligibility before making payment to avoid loss of fee.
Important Dates and Timeline
Online registration start date: 05 February 2026. Last date for online registration: 07 March 2026 (up to 5:00 PM). Last date for fee payment: 07 March 2026 (up to 11:59 PM). Candidates should not wait for the last date to apply as heavy traffic may slow down the server. The application portal will be closed after the last date and no further applications will be entertained.
Admit cards for CBT will be available for download approximately 15 days before the examination date through candidates' login on the BSNL external examination portal. The tentative date of examination will be notified separately. Result of CBT and document verification schedule will also be published on the official website. Candidates must regularly check the website for updates and announcements.
How to Apply Online - Complete Procedure
Visit the official BSNL external examination website at externalexam.bsnl.co.in. Look for the "BSNL SET Recruitment 2026" link on the homepage. Click on "New Registration" if applying for the first time. Provide your email ID, mobile number, and create a password. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile and email for verification.
After successful registration, login using your credentials. Fill the online application form carefully with accurate details including personal information, educational qualifications, work experience (if any), category details, preferred examination center and circle of posting. Any incorrect information may lead to rejection of candidature at any stage of recruitment.
Upload scanned copies of recent passport size color photograph (file size 50-100 KB in JPG format) and signature (file size 20-50 KB in JPG format) as per the dimensions specified in the notification. The photograph should be recent (not older than 3 months) with clear face visible. Signature should be done with black or blue ink on white paper.
After uploading documents, proceed to the payment section. Pay the application fee using preferred online mode. After successful payment, you will receive a payment confirmation receipt. Submit the application form and take a printout of the submitted application along with payment receipt for future reference. Note down your registration number and password safely.
Documents Required for Verification
Candidates shortlisted after CBT must carry original documents along with self-attested photocopies for verification: 10th standard certificate (for date of birth proof), Degree certificate and mark sheets of all years/semesters, Professional qualification certificate (for Finance stream), Caste certificate from competent authority (for SC/ST/OBC candidates), EWS certificate valid for current financial year (for EWS candidates), PwBD certificate from authorized medical board (if applicable), Domicile certificate (if claiming any domicile-based relaxation), and Recent passport size photographs (same as uploaded).
Training and Probation Period
Selected candidates will undergo comprehensive training for a period of one year at BSNL training centers located at various places including Ghaziabad, Jabalpur, Bengaluru, and other locations. The training will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of telecommunications engineering, network operations, project management, customer service, and organizational procedures.
After successful completion of training, trainees will be posted as Junior Telecom Officers (JTO) or Finance Officers at various BSNL offices and exchanges. The probation period is typically 2 years from the date of joining, during which performance will be assessed. Upon satisfactory completion of probation, employees will be confirmed in service and eligible for regular career progression.
Additional Information and Guidelines
Candidates should note that appointment is subject to verification of character and antecedents. Any adverse report may lead to cancellation of candidature. Service bond may be applicable as per BSNL policy. Selected candidates are liable to be posted anywhere in India and may be required to relocate based on organizational needs.
BSNL reserves the right to cancel or modify the recruitment process without assigning any reasons. The number of vacancies may increase or decrease. Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before applying. For queries, candidates can contact BSNL external examination cell through email or helpline numbers provided in the notification.