Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has released the BSNL SET Recruitment 2026 notification for direct recruitment of Senior Executive Trainee (Telecom and Finance) from external candidates across India. The selection will be through an all‑India online computer‑based test followed by document verification and medical examination.
BSNL SET 2026 Notification – Overview
- Organisation: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a Government of India PSU
- Posts: Senior Executive Trainee (SET – Direct Recruitment) – Telecom stream and Finance stream
- Notification: Advt. No. BSNLCO‑11/12(11)/1/2025‑RECTT‑CO‑Part (1), dated 29.01.2026
- Recruitment type: Direct recruitment from external candidates via CBT
BSNL Senior Executive Trainee 2026 – Important Dates
| Activity | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Start of online registration | 05.02.2026, 10:00 hrs |
| End of online registration | 07.03.2026, 10:00 hrs |
| Start of application editing window | 08.03.2026, 10:00 hrs |
| End of application editing window | 15.03.2026, 10:00 hrs |
| CBT exam date (tentative) | 29.03.2026, 10:00 hrs |
BSNL SET 2026 Vacancy Details (Telecom & Finance)
| Post | Total | SC | ST | OBC (NCL) | EWS | UR / OBC (CL) | PwBD (A) | PwBD (B) | PwBD (C) | PwBD (D/E) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Executive Trainee (Telecom) | 95 | 14 | 7 | 25 | 9 | 40 | – | – | 2 | 2 |
| Senior Executive Trainee (Finance) | 25 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 1 | – | – | – |
Reservation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates as per Central Government rules. PwBD candidates must have benchmark disability of at least 40% in the specified categories.
BSNL SET 2026 Salary, Bond and Posting Rules
- Pay scale: IDA E‑3 scale ₹24,900–50,500 (pre‑revised) for Senior Executive Trainee (Direct Recruitment).
- Service bond: Mandatory ₹9 lakh bond to serve BSNL for at least 5 years from appointment date.
- Training & probation:
- Probation period of 2 years, running with 52 weeks of training: 13 weeks common managerial training, 13 weeks stream‑specific training, 26 weeks on‑the‑job training.
- Failure in training exams can extend probation; repeated failure can lead to cancellation of appointment.
- Posting liability: Selected candidates can be posted anywhere in India across BSNL’s operational area.
BSNL SET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit and Relaxations
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Maximum age: 30 years (as on closing date of online application)
Maximum permissible age (after relaxations):
| Category | Max age |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS / OBC (CL) | 30 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 33 years |
| SC / ST | 35 years |
| PwBD – UR/EWS/OBC (CL) | 40 years |
| PwBD – OBC (NCL) | 43 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 45 years |
Valid certificates in prescribed Government formats are compulsory for SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/EWS/PwBD claims. OBC‑NCL and EWS certificates must be issued on or after 01.04.2025.
Educational Qualification for BSNL SET Telecom
- Regular full‑time B.E. / B.Tech or equivalent engineering degree with minimum 60% marks in any of the following disciplines:
- Electronics & Telecommunication
- Electronics
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Electrical
- Instrumentation
or combinations where these are core with associated emerging branches.
Educational Qualification for BSNL SET Finance
- CA (Chartered Accountant) or CMA (Cost and Management Accountant) from recognized bodies.
Degrees must be from Indian universities/institutes established by Central/State law or deemed universities recognised under the UGC Act. Where CGPA/OGPA is awarded, candidates must convert it to percentage using the institute’s formula and produce a conversion certificate at document verification.
BSNL SET 2026 Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Computer‑Based Test Structure
BSNL will conduct a single online computer‑based test (CBT) with objective multiple‑choice questions for both streams.
SET (DR) – Telecom
| Part | Section | Questions / Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part‑I | Aptitude (common) | 40 questions / 40 marks | 180 minutes (combined) |
| Part‑II | Technical – Telecom | 160 questions / 160 marks | – |
| Total | 200 questions / 200 marks | 180 minutes |
SET (DR) – Finance
| Part | Section | Questions / Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part‑I | Aptitude (common) | 40 questions / 40 marks |
| Part‑II | Technical – Finance | 160 questions / 160 marks |
| Total | 200 questions / 200 marks |
- Negative marking: +1 for each correct answer and −0.25 for each wrong answer.
- If the exam is held in multiple sessions, normalisation of marks will be applied.
Qualifying Marks and Merit List
- UR/General:
- At least 40% in Part‑I and 40% in Part‑II separately, and
- At least 50% overall (Part‑I + Part‑II).
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD:
- At least 35% in each part, and
- At least 45% overall.
Candidates scoring below the minimum in any part are not considered for the merit list. The final merit list is prepared from total marks in Part‑I + Part‑II for those who meet the qualifying criteria.
Shortlisted candidates are called for document verification, and appointment is subject to passing BSNL’s medical standards.
BSNL SET 2026 Syllabus – Telecom and Finance (Snapshot)
Part‑I – Common Aptitude (Both Streams)
- Quantitative ability and data sufficiency
- Analytical, logical and critical reasoning
- Verbal ability, reading comprehension and analysis
Part‑II – Telecom Technical Highlights
- Basic telecom concepts: signal processing, modulation, multiplexing, spectrum management
- Wireless technologies: GSM/3G/4G/5G basics, KPIs, antennas, IMS, telco cloud, satellite communications, backhaul and FWA
- Wireline technologies: NGN, softswitches, FTTx, broadband, PSTN/ISDN, Wi‑Fi and enterprise hotspots
- Transmission: optical fibre, DWDM, OTN, FTTH, GPON/EPON
- IP/Data networks: routing, TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, MPLS, QoS, DNS, security and firewalls
- Emerging tech: IoT/M2M, blockchain, SDN, cloud/data centres, AI in telecom networks
- Project management: project selection, planning, PERT/CPM, Gantt charts, etc.
Part‑II – Finance Technical Highlights
- Advanced accounting and IND‑AS based financial statements, ratios, consolidation
- Taxation: GST (indirect tax), income tax (direct), TDS/TCS, returns and compliance
- Cost accounting: cost sheets, process/service costing, BEP, standard and marginal costing, budgets
- Financial management: capital structure, working capital, capital budgeting, bond pricing, forex, treasury and fund management
- Corporate & other laws and SEBI‑related provisions for fund raising
- Audit & assurance: internal controls, risk, audit in automated environment, reporting
- Receivables management: credit policy, AR metrics, best practices
BSNL SET 2026 Online Application and Fees
- Apply only online at: www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in within the registration dates.
- No manual or offline forms are accepted.
Examination fee:
- OC/OBC/EWS: ₹2,500
- SC/ST/PwBD: ₹1,250
Fee is payable online only via internet banking, credit card or debit card and is non‑refundable.
Documents required for online form:
- Valid mobile number and email ID
- Scanned passport‑size photo (20–50 KB, jpg/jpeg)
- Scanned signature (10–20 KB, jpg/jpeg)
- Class 10 certificate (DOB proof)
- Degree certificate and consolidated marksheets
- Photo identity proof (Aadhaar/passport/DL/voter ID)
- Category and PwBD certificates, if applicable
After registration closes, an editing window (7 days) opens for limited field corrections. Admit cards will later be available for download from the same portal using login credentials.
BSNL SET 2026 Career Growth Outlook
After successful training and probation, SET (Direct Recruitment) are redesignated as Senior Executive (DR) in E‑3 scale. After completing three years of service from initial SET appointment, they become eligible for promotion to Assistant General Manager (AGM, E‑4 scale) as per BSNL Management Services rules.
Subsequent promotions to higher grades follow BSNL’s management service recruitment rules for each stream, providing a clear path toward middle and senior management positions in network planning, operations, corporate finance, internal audit and related domains.
GrowInJob Editorial: Where BSNL SET 2026 Fits Among PSU Careers
BSNL SET 2026 is essentially a managerial‑entry gateway into a national‑level telecom PSU at a time when many state and central utilities are consolidating their technical and finance recruitment through tough, all‑India exams. For engineering graduates, it stands alongside NTPC EET and similar programmes but with a stronger focus on telecom technologies—from 5G and IP networks to cloud‑ready infrastructure and cyber security. For CA/CMA professionals, the Finance stream offers a relatively rare chance to enter the telecom PSU ecosystem directly at E‑3 grade rather than climbing slowly from junior accounts roles.
The five‑year service bond and all‑India posting liability make this exam best suited to candidates who want a long‑term PSU career and are comfortable committing to BSNL’s network‑wide operations. If you are still exploring, it’s smart to place BSNL SET within a broader PSU strategy: write BSNL SET alongside exams like NTPC Engineering Executive Trainee, NMDC AGM/Manager, or even high‑quality private‑sector finance roles such as Deputy Manager – Finance & Accounts in large industrial groups. This way, your preparation investment in quantitative aptitude, core technical/finance and regulatory knowledge unlocks multiple career tracks rather than depending on a single result.
Related PSU and Finance Opportunities
To build a diversified career plan, you may also explore:
- NTPC EET Recruitment 2025 through GATE 2025 – Engineering Executive Trainee Vacancies
https://growinjob.com/ntpc-eet-recruitment-2025-gate-2025/ - NMDC Recruitment 2026 – AGM & Manager Posts
https://growinjob.com/nmdc-recruitment-2026-agm-manager-posts/ - Deputy Manager (Finance & Accounts) – Mahindra & Mahindra, Zaheerabad
https://growinjob.com/job/deputy-manager-finance-accounts-mahindra-mahindra-zaheerabad/
These roles complement BSNL SET by covering core engineering PSUs, mining PSUs and leading private‑sector finance positions, giving you options across both public and corporate domains.
Fraud & Scam Disclaimer
This article is carefully compiled from the official BSNL SET 2026 notification, but candidates should always reconfirm dates, eligibility, fees and process on BSNL’s official websites (www.bsnl.co.in and www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in) before applying or travelling for the exam.
BSNL only collects the official online examination fee. Do not pay money to any individual or agency and never share OTPs or passwords.
Error Possibility and Feedback
Despite all efforts to ensure accuracy, errors or later changes are still possible, and BSNL may issue corrigenda or clarifications after this article is published. Treat this post as a carefully prepared guide, not a legal document. https://growinjob.com/home/disclaimer-fraud-alert/
If you notice any discrepancy, outdated detail or missing information, please let us know so we can correct it quickly:
https://growinjob.com/contact/
FAQs – BSNL Senior Executive Trainee Recruitment 2026
1. What is BSNL SET 2026?
BSNL SET 2026 is a national‑level direct recruitment drive for Senior Executive Trainee (Telecom & Finance) in BSNL, filled through an online CBT followed by document verification and medical examination.
2. How many vacancies are there for BSNL SET 2026?
There are 120 vacancies in total – 95 SET (Telecom) and 25 SET (Finance), with category‑wise reservation for SC, ST, OBC (NCL), EWS and PwBD.
3. What is the age limit for BSNL SET 2026?
Candidates must be 21–30 years, with relaxations up to 35 years (SC/ST), 33 years (OBC‑NCL) and up to 45 years for PwBD depending on category, as on the closing date of online applications.
4. What qualifications are required for BSNL SET Telecom and Finance?
For Telecom, you need a full‑time B.E./B.Tech (or equivalent) with at least 60% marks in Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics, CS, IT, Electrical, Instrumentation or related combinations. For Finance, you must be a CA or CMA.
5. Is there negative marking in BSNL SET 2026 CBT?
Yes. The CBT has 200 objective questions with +1 mark for each correct answer and −0.25 mark for each wrong answer.
6. What are the minimum qualifying marks?
General/UR candidates need 40% in each part and 50% overall; SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD candidates need 35% in each part and 45% overall in Part‑I + Part‑II combined.
7. What is the pay scale and bond for selected candidates?
Selected SETs join in E‑3 IDA pay scale ₹24,900–50,500 (pre‑revised) and must sign a ₹9‑lakh bond to serve BSNL for minimum 5 years.
8. Is BSNL SET 2026 a good option for freshers?
Yes, provided you meet the age and degree criteria, are comfortable with an all‑India posting and a 5‑year bond, and are ready for a rigorous technical/finance syllabus at PSU managerial entry level.
9. How can I download my BSNL SET admit card?
Admit cards will be available on www.externalexam.bsnl.co.in; you must log in with your registered credentials and download/print it yourself—no hard copy is sent by post or email.
10. Can I change my exam centre or category after submitting the form?
Requests for change of category, discipline or test centre after submission are not entertained, so details must be entered carefully before final submission.
