BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026 – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a prestigious Government of India Enterprise, has released an official notification for the Direct Recruitment of Senior Executive Trainees (SET) from the open market (external candidates). Through Advertisement No. BSNLCO-11/12(11)/1/2025-RECTT-CO-Part (1), BSNL invites online applications from dynamic and qualified candidates for the Telecom and Finance streams.
A total of 120 vacancies have been announced across both streams. This is a golden opportunity for engineering graduates and finance professionals to secure a highly lucrative and stable career in one of India’s largest telecommunications companies.
The online registration portal opens on 05th February 2026, and the last date to submit the application is 07th March 2026. In this comprehensive article, we provide a complete box-wise breakdown of the BSNL SET Vacancy 2026, covering all crucial details such as eligibility criteria, age limits, salary structure, application fees, exam pattern, and the step-by-step application process.
1. Recruitment Overview – BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026
Here is a quick snapshot of the BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026 for a glance:
| Feature | Details |
| 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) – Direct Recruitment |
| Functional Streams | Telecom Operations & Finance |
| Total Vacancies | 120 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Job Location | Anywhere in India |
| Official Website | www.bsnl.co.in / www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in |
2. Important Dates Schedule – BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026
Candidates must strictly track the timeline provided by BSNL to ensure their application is successfully submitted before the deadline.
| Events | Dates & Time |
| Starting Date of Online Registration | 05.02.2026 (from 10:00 Hrs) |
| Closing Date of Online Registration | 07.03.2026 (up to 10:00 Hrs) |
| Start Date of Application Editing Window | 08.03.2026 (10:00 Hrs) |
| End Date of Application Editing Window | 15.03.2026 (10:00 Hrs) |
| Date of Computer Based Test (CBT) | 29.03.2026 (Tentative) |
3. Vacancy Details (Stream-Wise Breakdown)
BSNL has announced a total of 120 vacancies, categorized into Telecom and Finance streams. The reservation rules as per Central Government guidelines apply.
| Name of the Post | Total Posts | UR | EWS | OBC (NCL) | SC | ST |
| SET (DR) – Telecom Stream | 95 | 40 | 9 | 25 | 14 | 7 |
| SET (DR) – Finance Stream | 25 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Grand Total | 120 | 51 | 11 | 31 | 18 | 9 |
(Note: Horizontal reservations for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are also applicable as per the defined criteria.)
4. Educational Qualifications – BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026
To be eligible for the Senior Executive Trainee post, candidates must hold the following educational qualifications from a recognized Indian Institute or University.
| Functional Stream | Essential Educational Qualification |
| Telecom Operations | Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) / Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree on a regular full-time basis with a minimum of 60% marks. Eligible Disciplines: Electronics and Telecommunication, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical, Instrumentation, OR a combination of these core disciplines. |
| Finance | Must have passed Chartered Accountant (CA) OR Cost and Management Accountancy (CMA). |
5. Age Limit & Age Relaxations
The crucial date for determining the age limit is the closing date of the receipt of applications (07.03.2026).
| Age Criteria | Details |
| Minimum Age Limit | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age Limit (UR/EWS) | 30 Years |
Category-Wise Age Relaxations:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Relaxed by 3 Years (Up to 33 Years).
- SC / ST Candidates: Relaxed by 5 Years (Up to 35 Years).
- PwBD Candidates: General/EWS get 10 years, OBC(NCL) gets 13 years, and SC/ST gets 15 years of relaxation.
6. Salary, Service Bond, and Career Progression
BSNL offers an excellent salary structure, comprehensive training, and a fast-tracked career progression path for SET candidates.
| Component | Details |
| Pay Scale (Salary) | The SET (DR) will be recruited in the IDA pay scale [E-3] of Rs. 24,900 – Rs. 50,500/- (pre-revised). |
| Training & Probation | Candidates will remain on probation for 2 Years. This runs concurrently with a training schedule of 52 weeks (13 weeks Managerial + 13 weeks Functional + 26 weeks On Job Training). |
| Service Bond | Selected candidates must execute a Bond of Rs. 9 Lakhs to serve BSNL for a period of at least 5 Years from the date of their appointment. |
| Career Progression | After 3 years of service from the appointment date, candidates will be considered for promotion to Assistant General Manager (AGM) in the E-4 Pay Scale. |
7. Application Fee Details
Candidates are required to pay the application fee online through Internet Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card. The fee is non-refundable.
| Candidate Category | Examination Fee Amount |
| General (OC) / OBC / EWS | Rs. 2500/- (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only) |
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | Rs. 1250/- (Rupees One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty only) |
8. Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection process for the BSNL SET recruitment relies heavily on a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification.
CBT Examination Pattern:
- Total Questions: 200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).
- Total Marks: 200 Marks.
- Time Duration: 180 Minutes (3 Hours) conducted in ONE shift.
- Negative Marking: Yes. For each correct answer, 1 mark will be awarded, and for each wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
| Section | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
| Part-I (Common) | Aptitude Test (Quantitative ability, Reasoning, Verbal ability) | 40 Questions | 40 Marks |
| Part-II (Core) | Technical Test (Telecom OR Finance specifics) | 160 Questions | 160 Marks |
| Total | 200 Questions | 200 Marks |
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
- General Candidates: 40% in each Part and 50% combined.
- SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/EWS: 35% in each Part and 45% combined.
9. How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step Guide)
Eligible candidates must submit their applications exclusively via the online mode. Follow these steps to register and apply successfully:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to the official BSNL external exam website:
www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in. - Initial Registration: Enter your active Mobile Number and E-mail ID. An OTP will be sent to complete the basic registration.
- Fill Application Form: Fill in all your personal details, educational qualifications, and category information carefully.
- Upload Documents: You must upload scanned copies of the following:
- Recent passport-size color photograph (20kb – 50kb, jpg/jpeg).
- Candidate’s signature (10kb – 20kb, jpg/jpeg).
- Class 10th Certificate (for DOB proof).
- Degree Certificates and consolidated mark sheets.
- Photo Identity Proof (Aadhar/Voter ID).
- Valid Category/PwBD certificate (if applicable).
- Select Exam City: Choose your preferred examination center from the 27 available cities.
- Pay the Fee: Make the online payment of the examination fee (Rs. 2500 or Rs. 1250) based on your category.
- Submit and Print: Submit the application form and take a printout of the computer-generated registration slip for future reference. Do not send any physical copies to BSNL.
BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026
| Important | Links |
|---|---|
| Apply Link | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| View Results | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the last date to apply for BSNL SET Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application form and pay the examination fee is 07th March 2026 (up to 10:00 Hrs).
Q2: What is the educational qualification required for the Telecom Stream? Ans: Candidates must possess a regular full-time B.E. or B.Tech degree with a minimum of 60% marks in disciplines like Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics, Computer Science, IT, Electrical, or Instrumentation.
Q3: Is there a service bond for the Senior Executive Trainee post?
Ans: Yes, candidates selected for the post of SET (DR) must execute a service bond of Rs. 9 Lakhs to serve BSNL for a minimum period of 5 years.
Q4: Will there be negative marking in the BSNL SET Exam?
Ans: Yes, the CBT will have negative marking. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
Q5: Can final year students apply for this recruitment?
Ans: According to the official notification, the applicant must possess the requisite educational qualifications “on the closing date of receipt of application.” Therefore, final results must be declared on or before 07.03.2026.
Q6: What is the salary of a BSNL Senior Executive Trainee?
Ans: The candidates will be recruited in the IDA pay scale [E-3] ranging from Rs. 24,900 to Rs. 50,500/- (pre-revised). Additionally, after 3 years of service, they can be promoted to Assistant General Manager (AGM) in the E-4 scale.
Q7: Can I edit my application form if I make a mistake?
Ans: Yes, BSNL will provide an Application Editing Period from 08.03.2026 to 15.03.2026. However, you will only be able to edit selective fields.
Q8: Can candidates employed in other government departments apply?
Ans: Yes, candidates currently employed in Government Departments, PSUs, or Autonomous Bodies can apply. However, they are required to produce a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from their present employer at the time of document verification.
BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026
