BSNL SET 2026 Online Form notification released for 120 Senior Executive Trainee (Telecom & Finance) posts. Apply online at externalexam.bsnl.co.in. Check eligibility, age limit, salary, selection process, important dates and direct apply link here.
A total of 120 vacancies have been announced (95 for Telecom and 25 for Finance). Eligible candidates who hold a relevant Engineering Degree or CA/CMA qualification can apply online through the official BSNL examination portal. The online registration window will remain open from 05th February 2026 to 07th March 2026.
BSNL SET Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Key Feature | Details & Information |
| Organization Name | Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) |
| Advertisement Number | BSNLCO-11/12(11)/1/2025-RECTT-CO-Part (1) |
| Name of the Post | Senior Executive Trainee (SET) – Telecom & Finance |
| Total Vacancies | 120 Posts |
| Pay Scale | IDA Pay Scale [E-3] Rs. 24,900 – Rs. 50,500/- (pre-revised) |
| Job Location | Anywhere in India |
| Mode of Application | Strictly Online |
| Official Application Portal | www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in |
Important Dates & Timeline
| Recruitment Event | Official Date & Time |
| Start of On-Line Registration | 05.02.2026 (From 10:00 Hrs.) |
| End of On-Line Registration | 07.03.2026 (Up to 10:00 Hrs.) |
| Application Editing Window | 08.03.2026 (10:00 Hrs.) to 15.03.2026 (10:00 Hrs.) |
| Date of Examination (CBT) | 29.03.2026 (Tentative at 10:00 Hrs.) |
Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Functional Stream | Unreserved (UR) | OBC (NCL) | SC | ST | EWS | Total Vacancies |
| SET (Telecom) | 40 | 25 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 95 |
| SET (Finance) | 11 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 25 |
Application Fee Structure
| Candidate Category | Examination Fee Amount |
| OC / OBC / EWS Candidates | Rs. 2500/- (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only) |
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | Rs. 1250/- (Rupees One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty only) |
| Mode of Payment | Online Only (Internet Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card) |
Age Limit & Relaxations (As on closing date)
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
| Unreserved / EWS / OBC (Creamy Layer) | 30 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 33 Years (30 + 3) |
| SC / ST Category Candidates | 35 Years (30 + 5) |
| PwBD (General / EWS / OBC-CL) | 40 Years (30 + 10) |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 43 Years (30 + 13) |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 45 Years (30 + 15) |
(Note: The minimum age for all candidates is 21 years.)
Essential Educational Qualifications
| Functional Stream | Mandatory Educational Requirement |
| SET (Telecom Operations) | Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) / Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree or equivalent engineering degree with a minimum of 60% marks on a regular full-time basis. Eligible Disciplines: Electronics and Telecommunication, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical, Instrumentation. |
| SET (Finance) | Must possess qualification as a Chartered Accountant (CA) OR Cost and Management Accountancy (CMA). |
Examination Pattern & Scheme
| Exam Section | Subject / Details | Questions & Marks | Duration |
| Part-I (Common) | Aptitude Test (Quantitative, Reasoning, Verbal) | 40 Questions / 40 Marks | |
| Part-II (Core) | Technical Test (Telecom OR Finance specific) | 160 Questions / 160 Marks | 180 Minutes (Combined) |
| Total | 200 Questions / 200 Marks |
(Note: There is a negative marking of -0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.)
Important Link Section
| Important | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Apply Link | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| View Results | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step Guide)
| Step Number | Action to be Taken |
| Step 1 | Visit the official BSNL external examination portal at www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in. |
| Step 2 | Complete the initial registration process and verify your Mobile Number & E-mail ID via OTP. |
| Step 3 | Log in and fill out the detailed application form, ensuring all personal and educational information is accurate. |
| Step 4 | Upload a scanned copy of your recent passport-size color photograph (white background, 20-50 kb) and signature (10-20 kb) in JPG/JPEG format. |
| Step 5 | Choose your preferred Examination Centre City from the 27 available options. |
| Step 6 | Pay the requisite examination fee securely through the online payment gateway. |
| Step 7 | Submit the form and take a printout of the computer-generated registration slip and fee receipt for future reference. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Comprehensive Guide to BSNL SET Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the BSNL Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment 2026?
Answer: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a premier Government of India Enterprise, has initiated a direct recruitment drive for the year 2026 to hire external candidates from the open market. The recruitment aims to fill vacancies for the prestigious position of Senior Executive Trainee (SET) across two critical functional streams: Telecom Operations and Finance. This is a highly sought-after opportunity for fresh and experienced engineering graduates and accounting professionals to build a long-term, stable career in India’s leading telecommunications PSU.
Q2: What are the important dates and schedules for the BSNL SET 2026 application process?
Answer: The online registration process officially commences on the 05th of February 2026 at 10:00 Hrs. Candidates must ensure they complete their registration and fee payment on or before the closing deadline of 07th March 2026 at 10:00 Hrs. To accommodate any inadvertent errors made during registration, BSNL will provide an “Editing Window” from 08th March 2026 to 15th March 2026. The crucial Computer Based Test (CBT) is tentatively scheduled for the 29th of March 2026.
Q3: How many total vacancies are available, and how are they categorized?
Answer: BSNL has announced a total of 120 vacancies for this recruitment cycle. For the Senior Executive Trainee (Telecom) stream, there are 95 vacancies. These 95 vacancies are divided as follows: Unreserved (40), OBC-NCL (25), SC (14), ST (7), and EWS (9). For the Senior Executive Trainee (Finance) stream, there are 25 vacancies, categorized as: Unreserved (11), OBC-NCL (6), SC (4), ST (2), and EWS (2). Horizontal reservations will be applied for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) across both streams.
Q4: What is the exact educational qualification required to apply for the Telecom and Finance streams?
Answer: The educational requirements are strictly defined. For the SET (Telecom Operations) stream, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) or Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree with a minimum of 60% marks obtained on a regular full-time basis. The eligible core disciplines are Electronics and Telecommunication, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical, and Instrumentation. For the SET (Finance) stream, the candidate must have qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CA) or hold a Cost and Management Accountancy (CMA) certification.
Q5: What is the age limit for the BSNL SET recruitment, and are there any category-wise age relaxations?
Answer: Candidates must be at least 21 years old and should not exceed the maximum age limit of 30 years as of the closing date for the receipt of applications. However, upper age limit relaxations are provided as per Government of India guidelines. The upper age limit is relaxed by 3 years (up to 33 years) for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates and by 5 years (up to 35 years) for SC/ST candidates. For Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), the maximum age limit is extended to 40 years for General/EWS/OBC-CL, 43 years for OBC-NCL, and 45 years for SC/ST category candidates.
Q6: What is the detailed selection process for the BSNL Senior Executive Trainee position?
Answer: The selection methodology is entirely merit-based. All eligible candidates must first appear for a “Computer based-Multiple Choice-Objective Type Test”. This CBT will evaluate both aptitude and specialized technical knowledge. Based on the marks secured in this examination (and applying normalization if the exam is held in multiple sessions), a final merit list will be published. Candidates who clear the required cut-off and make it to the merit list will subsequently be called for a rigorous Document Verification process. The final offer of appointment is subject to the candidate clearing BSNL’s prescribed medical examination.
Q7: Can you detail the BSNL SET 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus? Answer: The Computer Based Test (CBT) has a total duration of 180 minutes and is strategically divided into two parts. Part-I (Common) is an Aptitude test comprising 40 questions that carry 40 marks. This section tests quantitative ability, data sufficiency, analytical/logical reasoning, and verbal reading comprehension. Part-II (Core) consists of 160 technical questions carrying 160 marks, tailored to the candidate’s chosen stream. For Telecom, the syllabus covers Basic Telecommunications Concepts, Wireless Technologies (2G/3G/4G/5G), Wireline Technologies, Telecom Transmission Infrastructure, IP/Data Networks, Emerging Technologies (IoT, AI, Cloud), and Project Management. For Finance, the syllabus includes Advanced Accounting, Taxation Rules, Cost Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Law, Audit & Assurance, and Accounts Receivable Management.
Q8: Is there negative marking in the BSNL SET CBT, and what are the qualifying marks?
Answer: Yes, the examination incorporates a strict negative marking scheme. While every correct answer awards 1 mark, 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. Regarding qualifying marks, Unreserved (General) candidates must secure a minimum of 40% in each individual part (Part-I and Part-II) and achieve an overall combined minimum of 50%. For candidates belonging to the SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and EWS categories, the minimum qualifying mark requirement is relaxed to 35% in each part, with an overall combined score requirement of 45%.
Q9: What is the application fee structure for BSNL SET 2026, and how can it be paid?
Answer: The prescribed examination fee for candidates falling under the Unreserved (OC), OBC, and EWS categories is Rs. 2500/- (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only). For candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwBD categories, the application fee is subsidized to Rs. 1250/- (Rupees One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty only). This application fee must be paid strictly through the online mode using Internet Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card directly on the BSNL web registration portal. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Q10: Are there any service bond requirements and training periods for the selected candidates?
Answer: Yes. To ensure organizational commitment, all candidates who are successfully recruited for the Senior Executive Trainee post must execute an official bond of Rs. 09 (NINE) Lakhs. This bond mandates that the candidate must serve BSNL for a minimum period of five years from their date of appointment. Furthermore, candidates will undergo a two-year probation period which includes a comprehensive 52-week (one year) training schedule. This training involves 13 weeks of Common Managerial Training, 13 weeks of Functional Stream Training, and 26 weeks of On-the-Job Training. If a candidate fails the training examinations, their probation will be extended by 6 months.
Q11: What is the pay scale and what does the career progression look like for a Senior Executive Trainee?
Answer: The Senior Executive Trainee (SET-DR) will initially be appointed in the IDA pay scale of E-3, which ranges from Rs. 24,900 to Rs. 50,500/- (pre-revised). After successfully completing their mandatory two-year probation period and training, candidates will be formally designated as Senior Executive (DR) in the E-3 Pay Scale. The career progression is excellent: after working as a Senior Executive (DR) for an additional one year (completing 3 years of continuous service from the initial appointment date), the employee will be considered for promotion to the rank of Assistant General Manager (AGM) in the E-4 Pay Scale, governed by the BSNL Management Services Rules-2023.
Q12: How can I apply for the BSNL SET 2026 examination?
Answer: Candidates who meet all eligibility criteria must apply exclusively through the official BSNL external exam website at www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in. Manual, postal, or paper applications will be outright rejected. Before initiating the online registration, candidates need to keep a valid Mobile number, E-mail ID, a scanned copy of a recent passport-size color photograph with a white background, a scanned signature, Class 10th certificate for age proof, degree certificates, consolidated mark sheets, and a valid photo ID proof ready for uploading.
Q13: Is there a provision to challenge the Answer Key after the Computer Based Test?
Answer: Yes, BSNL maintains a transparent evaluation process. After the completion of the Computer Based Test, a provisional question/answer key will be displayed on the portal within five working days. A challenge/grievance window will then remain open for seven days, allowing candidates to submit queries or contest the provisional answer key. However, candidates must pay a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 500/- per challenged question or answer key through the online payment gateway.
Q14: Where will the BSNL SET 2026 online examinations be held? Answer: To accommodate candidates from all over India, the online Computer Based Test will be systematically organized across 27 designated examination cities. Candidates are required to select only one preferred examination center during their online registration process. The list of these examination cities includes Port Blair, Vijayawada, Guwahati, Patna, Chennai, Raipur, Ahmedabad, Ambala, Shimla, Jammu, Ranchi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, Bhopal, Mumbai, Shillong, Dimapur, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Meerut, and Dehradun. BSNL reserves the right to shift a candidate’s exam center to a nearby city depending on the volume of applications.
BSNL SET 2026 Online Form
