Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has released the 2026 notification for direct recruitment of Senior Executive Trainee (SET)** in Telecom and Finance streams from external candidates across India.
BSNL SET Recruitment 2026 Overview
Post name: Senior Executive Trainee (SET-DR) – Telecom & Finance.
Organization: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a Government of India enterprise.
Notification year: 2026.
Mode of application: Online only via BSNL external exam portal (www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in)
Mode of exam: Computer Based Test (CBT) with multiple-choice questions and negative marking.
Important Dates (Registration)
Start of online registration: 05 February 2026, 10:00 hrs.
End of online registration: 07 March 2026, 10:00 hrs.
Start of application editing window: 08 March 2026, 10:00 hrs.
End of application editing window: 15 March 2026, 10:00 hrs.
Tentative date of CBT examination: 29 March 2026, 10:00 hrs.
Vacancy Details and Reservation
BSNL will recruit Senior Executive Trainees in two functional streams – Telecom Operations and Finance – with reservation as per Central Government norms for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates.
Total Posts (as per notification table)
Senior Executive Trainee (DR) – Telecom Stream: 95 posts (with SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD reservation as notified).
Senior Executive Trainee (DR) – Finance Stream: Posts distributed with separate SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD reservations as per vacancy table in the notification.
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) with at least 40% specified disability are eligible for reservation as per RPwD Act 2016 and Rules 2017.
Pay Scale, Service Conditions and Career Growth
Pay scale: SET (DR) will be appointed in IDA E-3 pay scale Rs. 24,900 – 50,500 (pre-revised).
Posting: Candidates will be liable to serve anywhere in India in any BSNL operational area.
Bond, Training & Probation
Bond amount: Rs. 9,00,000 to serve BSNL for a minimum of five years from date of appointment as SET.
Probation period: 2 years, concurrent with training of 52 weeks.
Training structure:
Common Managerial Training – 13 weeks.
Functional Stream Training (Telecom/Finance) – 13 weeks.
On-the-job Training – 26 weeks.
Failure to successfully complete training (including exams) can lead to extension of probation by 6 months; persistent failure can result in cancellation of appointment.
Career Progression
After successful probation, designation will be Senior Executive (DR) in E-3 scale.
After a minimum of 3 years’ service from initial SET appointment (including probation), candidates become eligible for promotion to Assistant General Manager (AGM) – E-4 as per BSNL Management Services Recruitment Rules 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:- Only Indian Nationals are eligible to apply.
Age Limit (as on closing date of application)
Minimum age: 21 years.
Maximum age: 30 years for Unreserved/EWS/OBC (Creamy Layer) candidates.
Upper age relaxation as per Government of India rules:
Category Maximum Age
-------------------------------------------------------
| UR / EWS / OBC (CL) 30 years
| OBC (NCL) 33 years (30+3)
| SC / ST 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)
Date of birth proof must be from Matric/10th or equivalent recognized certificates; other documents like affidavits or municipal extracts are not accepted for age proof.
Educational Qualification (Annexure-A)
1. Telecom Operations Stream
Full-time Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Technology or equivalent engineering degree with minimum 60% marks in any of the following disciplines (regular, full time):
- Electronics and Telecommunication
- Electronics
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Electrical
- Instrumentation
- Or combination of these as core with associated emerging branches.
2. Finance Stream
- Chartered Accountant (CA) or
- Cost and Management Accountant (CMA).
Degrees must be from institutes/universities established by/under Act of Central/State Government, or deemed universities under Section 3 of UGC Act, 1956.
For CGPA/OGPA/letter grade, candidates must convert to percentage as per university norms and produce a certificate; if no conversion system exists, percentage is computed by relative grade divided by maximum scale × 100.
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Selection Procedure
Candidates will appear for a Computer Based Multiple Choice Objective Type Test (CBT) of 180 minutes.
Marks may be normalized if multiple sessions are required.
Candidates shortlisted in merit will be called for document verification; appointment is subject to verification of eligibility and medical fitness as per BSNL rules.
Exam Pattern
The CBT includes two parts – a common Aptitude Test and a Core Technical Test for the respective stream.
For SET (DR) – Telecom
Part-I Aptitude Test (Common) 40 Q / 40 Marks
Part-II Technical (Telecom) 160 Q / 160 Marks 180 min total
Total 200 Q / 200 Marks
For SET (DR) – Finance
Part-I Aptitude Test (Common) 40 Q / 40 Marks
Part-II Technical (Finance) 160 Q / 160 Marks 180 min total
Total 200 Q / 200 Marks
Marking Scheme and Qualifying Marks
Each correct answer: +1 mark.
Each wrong answer: –0.25 mark (negative marking).
Minimum qualifying marks
General candidates:- 40% in Part-I and 40% in Part-II separately, and 50% overall (Part-I + Part-II combined).
SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, EWS candidates:
35% in each Part, and
45% overall (combined).
Final merit list will be prepared based on total marks in Part-I and Part-II, subject to securing minimum qualifying marks in each part and overall.
Names in merit list do not automatically confer right to appointment; final offer is issued only after all eligibility and formalities are cleared.
Detailed Syllabus (Annexure-B)
Part-I: Aptitude Test (Common) – 40 Questions / 40 Marks
Quantitative ability and data sufficiency.
Reasoning: analytical, logical and critical reasoning.
Verbal ability, reading comprehension and analysis.
Part-II: Technical – Telecom (160 Questions / 160 Marks)
Key topics and indicative weightage
1.Basic Telecommunications Concepts** (15%) – Signal processing, modulation/demodulation, multiplexing, spectrum management.
2.Wireless Telecommunications Technologies** (15%) – Wireless principles, GSM/3G/4G/5G basics, antenna systems, IMS, Telco-cloud, mobile KPIs, satellite communication, radio backhaul, fixed wireless access.
3.Wireline Telecommunications Technologies** (15%) – NGN switches, softswitch, call routing, broadband, FTTx, PSTN signaling, SS7/SIGTRAN, NGN architectures and call flows, network management, signaling protocols, disaster management via ICT.
4.Telecom Transmission Infrastructure** (15%) – NGN protocols, IMS architecture, ISDN, EPABX, Wi‑Fi services, enterprise hotspots, basics of transmission systems.
5.IP/Data Networks (15%) – Optical fibre systems (DWDM, OTN, FTTH, GPON, EPON), routing, OSI/TCP-IP models, caching, peering, IPv4/IPv6 (addressing, subnetting, supernetting, tunneling), MPLS, next-gen IP network design, QoS, DNS, proxy, cyber security, firewalls.
6.Emerging Technologies** (15%) – IoT & M2M, blockchain, SDN, cloud computing & data centres, AI in telecom networks.
7.Project Management (10%) – Basics of projects, selection, planning, implementation, tools such as bar chart, Gantt chart, PERT, CPM.[1]
Part-II: Technical – Finance (160 Questions / 160 Marks)
Major sections and sample coverage:
1. Advanced Accounting (15%) – Financial statements (BS, P&L), ratios, EBITDA, consolidation (branch & subsidiaries), projections, NPV, IRR, payback, policies, inventory valuation, cash flow, depreciation, fixed assets, share capital, debentures, buyback, amalgamation, reconstruction, SAP environment, Indian GAAP and Ind AS.
2. Taxation Rules (15%) – GST laws, GST computation, GST TDS, invoices, e‑way bill, ITC, returns, CGST/IGST levy, exemptions, composition scheme, basics of direct tax, income computation, set-off & carry forward of losses, advance/self-assessment tax, TDS/TCS.
3.Cost Accounting (15%) – Cost elements, cost sheets, material/employee/overheads systems, ABC analysis, break-even, process/operation costing, service costing, standard & marginal costing, budgetary control.
4. Financial Statement Analysis & Management** (15%) – Functions, ratio analysis, performance, profitability, liquidity, leverage, shareholder return, budgeting, capital budgeting, capital structure, cost of capital, bond pricing, working capital management, treasury, forex, money market basics.
5. Corporate & Other Laws** (15%) – Company incorporation, prospectus and securities, share capital & debentures, SEBI norms for fund raising, dividend rules, appointment of auditors.
6. Audit & Assurance (15%) – Audit concepts, internal control, standards, documentation, evidence, risk assessment, fraud responsibilities, automated environment, audit reports.
7. Accounting Receivable Management (10%) – Objectives, credit policy and analysis, best practices, receivable turnover ratio, dunning and collection emphasis.
BSNL Senior Executive Trainee – Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most important questions about BSNL Senior Executive Trainee (SET) 2026 recruitment including eligibility, age limit, salary, last date and application fee.
For the Telecom stream, candidates must be Indian nationals with a full-time BE/BTech or equivalent engineering degree in Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical, or Instrumentation, or a combination of these as core branches, with at least 60% marks from a recognized university.[file:1]
For the Finance stream, candidates must be Chartered Accountants (CA) or Cost and Management Accountants (CMA) from a recognized professional body, having completed the qualification by the closing date of application.[file:1]
The minimum age to apply for BSNL Senior Executive Trainee recruitment is 21 years and the maximum age is 30 years for Unreserved, EWS and OBC (Creamy Layer) candidates on the closing date of receipt of application.[file:1]
Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules: 3 years for OBC (Non‑Creamy Layer), 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 to 15 years for PwBD candidates depending on their category.[file:1]
BSNL Senior Executive Trainees are recruited in the Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) E‑3 pay scale of Rs. 24,900 – 50,500 (pre‑revised). This is the basic pay scale applicable during training and probation as per the notification.[file:1]
After successful completion of probation and training, they are designated as Senior Executive (DR) in the same E‑3 scale, with future promotion prospects to Assistant General Manager (E‑4) and higher grades as per BSNL Management Services Recruitment Rules.[file:1]
The last date to submit the online application form for BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026 is 07 March 2026 up to 10:00 hours.[file:1]
After the last date for registration, an editing window is available from 08 March 2026 (10:00 hours) to 15 March 2026 (10:00 hours) to make limited corrections in the submitted application form.[file:1]
The examination fee is Rs. 2,500 for OC, OBC and EWS candidates and Rs. 1,250 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates, as prescribed in the notification.[file:1]
The fee must be paid online only through Internet banking, credit card or debit card on the BSNL external exam portal, and it is non‑refundable and cannot be reserved for any other recruitment.[file:1]
Application Process, Fees and Exam Centres
How to Apply Online
Candidates must apply only through the online registration link on BSNL external exam portal within the given dates.
Before registration, keep the following ready in the prescribed format
Active mobile number and email ID (for OTP and communication).
Scanned passport size colour photograph with white background (20–50 KB, jpg/jpeg).
- Scanned signature (10–20 KB, jpg/jpeg).
- Class 10th certificate (date of birth proof).
- Degree certificate and consolidated marksheet/transcript of required qualification.
Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, voter ID, etc.).
Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) in prescribed format, issued on/after 01.04.2025 for OBC and EWS where applicable.
- Disability certificate for PwBD in prescribed Government format (Form V/VI/VII).
An editing window of 7 days will be available after closure of registration, where only selected fields can be edited.
In case of multiple applications, the **latest registration** will be treated as final and earlier ones will be rejected.
Application & Examination Fee
OC / OBC / EWS candidates: Rs. 2,500/-
SC / ST / PwBD candidates: Rs. 1,250/-
Fees must be paid online only (Internet banking, credit card, debit card) via www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in and are non-refundable and non-transferable
Exam Centres (Annexure-C)
The CBT will be conducted in 27 exam cities including Port Blair, Vijayawada, Guwahati, Patna, Chennai, Raipur, Ahmedabad, Ambala, Shimla, Jammu, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, Bhopal, Mumbai, Shillong, Dimapur, New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Meerut and Dehradun.
Candidates must choose one exam centre; BSNL may allot any listed city or a nearby city depending on number of candidates.
For latest updates, corrigenda and detailed instructions, candidates should regularly visit BSNL websites www.bsnl.co.in and www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in and may contact BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi at bsnlrectt@bsnl.co.in for queries.
