Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Recruitment 2026 notification has been released for Senior Executive Trainee (SET-DR) posts in Telecom and Finance streams. This is a major BSNL SET Recruitment 2026 opportunity for external candidates in one of India's premier government telecom PSUs, offering stable career growth and attractive perks.
The Official Advertisement:
- Advertisement No. : BSNLCO-11/12(11)/1/2025-RECTT-CO-Part (1)
- Date: 29 January 2026
- Total Posts: 120
Refer the Official Released pdf– Link
BSNL SET Recruitment Vacancy Details 2026
- Senior Executive Trainee (DR) - Telecom Stream: 95 posts
- Senior Executive Trainee (DR) - Finance Stream: 25 posts
| Category | Telecom Stream | Finance Stream | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 14 | 4 | 18 |
| ST | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| OBC-NCL | 25 | 6 | 31 |
| EWS | 9 | 2 | 11 |
| UR / OBC-CL | 40 | 11 | 51 |
| Total | 95 | 25 | 120 |
Reservations follow Central Government guidelines for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/EWS/PwBD candidates. PwBD eligibility includes specific benchmark disabilities (40% or more) as per RPwD Act 2016, with categories listed separately for Telecom and Finance streams (e.g., OA/OL for Telecom, B/LV/HH for Finance).
Important Dates for BSNL SET 2026
- Online registration opens: 5 February 2026 (from 10:00 AM)
- Last date for registration: 7 March 2026 (till 10:00 AM)
- Application editing window: 8 March to 15 March 2026 (10:00 AM)
- Tentative CBT exam date: 29 March 2026 (from 10:00 AM)
Apply online exclusively through the portal: https://www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in
BSNL SET Eligibility Criteria 2026
- Nationality : Only Indian nationals are eligible.
- Age Limit (as on closing date of application, i.e., 07 March 2026):
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC (CL) | 30 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 33 years |
| SC / ST | 35 years |
| PwBD | Up to 40–45 years (as applicable) |
- Minimum age : 21 years.
- Proof of age must be from Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate or equivalent (no other documents like affidavits accepted).
- Educational Qualification :
- Telecom Stream : Full-time B.E./B.Tech or equivalent with minimum 60% marks in Electronics & Telecommunication / Electronics / Computer Science / IT / Electrical / Instrumentation (or combinations with emerging branches).
- Finance Stream : Chartered Accountant ( CA ) or Cost and Management Accountant ( CMA ).
- Qualifications must be from recognized Indian institutions/universities, completed by the closing date. CGPA/OGPA conversion to percentage required if applicable (certificate needed during verification).
Scale of Pay and Other Benefits in BSNL Recruitment 2026
- Recruited in IDA pay scale E-3 : ₹24,900 – ₹50,500 (pre-revised).
- Selected candidates undergo training and probation, with liability to serve anywhere in India.
- After successful probation and service, promotion to Assistant General Manager (E-4) possible after minimum 3 years.
BSNL SET Selection Process 2026
- Computer-Based Test (CBT) : Single paper of 180 minutes duration (200 MCQs, 200 marks).
- Part-I (Common Aptitude): 40 questions/40 marks (Quantitative ability, Reasoning, Verbal ability & Reading Comprehension).
- Part-II (Core Technical): 160 questions/160 marks (Telecom or Finance specific).
- Negative marking: +1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong.
- Minimum qualifying marks: 40% in each part and 50% overall for General; 35% in each part and 45% overall for reserved categories.
- Normalization if multiple sessions.
- Merit list based on total marks (subject to qualifying).
- Document verification and medical examination for shortlisted candidates.
Syllabus details are in the official notification (Annexure-B), covering topics like Basic Telecom Concepts, Wireless Technologies (including 5G), IP Networks, Transmission, Emerging Tech for Telecom; and Advanced Accounting, Taxation, Cost Accounting, Financial Management for Finance.
Application Fee for the Senior Executive Trainee Exam
- OC/OBC/EWS: ₹2,500/-
- SC/ST/PwBD: ₹1,250/- Payable online only (no refund). No other payment modes accepted.
Important Instructions
- A service bond of ₹9 lakhs for 5 years is required.
- 52-week training (including common managerial, functional, and on-job training) during 2-year probation.
- Exam centers in 27 cities across India (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Lucknow, etc.; choose one during application).
- Provisional answer key challenge window post-exam (₹500 per question, non-refundable).
- No departmental candidates considered; current government/PSU employees need NOC.
- BSNL reserves rights to modify/cancel the process.
This BSNL SET Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for engineering graduates and finance professionals (CA/CMA) seeking a stable PSU career in telecom. For the most accurate and updated details, refer to the official notification PDF on BSNL's website (bsnl.co.in) or the application portal (externalexam.bsnl.co.in). Candidates should prepare thoroughly for the aptitude and core technical sections, as the exam emphasizes both general and domain knowledge.
Apply early to avoid last-minute issues, and keep checking the official portal for any updates! Good luck!