Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has released the official notification for the Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 120 vacancies across Telecom and Finance streams through a direct recruitment (DR) process.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), one of India’s largest and most trusted government-owned telecommunications companies, has officially released the BSNL Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment Notification 2026. This recruitment drive is aimed at filling Senior Executive Trainee (Direct Recruitment) posts in Telecom and Finance streams through external candidates.
For engineering graduates and finance professionals aspiring to join a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), this recruitment presents an excellent career opportunity. The post of Senior Executive Trainee offers not only attractive pay and job security but also exposure to leadership roles in India’s telecom infrastructure development.
This blog provides a complete, detailed, and exam-focused overview of BSNL SET Recruitment 2026, including vacancies, important dates, eligibility criteria, age limit, age relaxation, educational qualification, salary structure, application fee, selection process, how to apply, and expert preparation tips.
BSNL SET Recruitment 2026
BSNL has issued Advertisement No. BSNLCO-11/12(11)/1/2025-RECTT-CO-Part (1) dated 29 January 2026. The recruitment is conducted for the notification year 2026 and will be executed through a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) |
| Post Name | Senior Executive Trainee (SET) |
| Total Vacancies | 120 (Telecom: 95 | Finance: 25) |
| Application Period | 5th February 2026 – 7th March 2026 |
| Correction Window | 8th March 2026 – 15th March 2026 |
| Tentative Exam Date | 29th March 2026 |
| Age Limit | 21 – 30 Years (as of 07.03.2026) |
| Selection Process | Computer-Based Test (CBT) & Document Verification |
| Pay Scale | E-3 IDA Scale (₹24,900 – ₹50,500) |
| Service Bond | ₹9 Lakhs for a minimum of 5 years |
| Application Fee | Gen/OBC/EWS: ₹2,500 | SC/ST/PwBD: ₹1,250 |
| Official Website | bsnl.co.in | externalexam.bsnl.co.in |
BSNL SET Vacancy Details 2026
BSNL has announced a total of 120 vacancies for Senior Executive Trainee posts across Telecom and Finance streams. Category-wise reservation has been applied according to Central Government norms.
Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Telecom Stream | Finance Stream | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| OC / OBC (Creamy Layer) | 40 | 11 | 51 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 25 | 6 | 31 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 14 | 4 | 18 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 9 | 2 | 11 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Total Posts | 95 | 25 | 120 |
Important Dates for BSNL SET 2026
Candidates must strictly follow the timeline mentioned in the official notification.
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 29th January 2026 | — |
| Online Application Start | 5th February 2026 | 10:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 7th March 2026 | 10:00 AM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 7th March 2026 | 10:00 AM |
| Application Correction Window | 8th March – 15th March 2026 | 10:00 AM Start |
| Admit Card Release | 3rd Week of March 2026 | — |
| Date of Examination (CBT) | 29th March 2026 | Tentative |
Eligibility Criteria for BSNL SET Recruitment 2026
Before applying, candidates must carefully check the eligibility conditions prescribed by BSNL. Applications of ineligible candidates may be rejected at any stage of the recruitment process.
Eligibility is determined based on:
Nationality
Educational qualification
Age limit
Nationality
The candidate must be:
A citizen of India
Age Limit & Age Relaxations
Applicants for the BSNL Senior Executive Trainee 2026 recruitment must meet the following age requirements as of the crucial date, 7th March 2026.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age (Upper Limit) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC (Creamy Layer) | 21 Years | 30 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 21 Years | 33 Years |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 21 Years | 35 Years |
| PwBD (General / EWS / OBC-CL) | 21 Years | 40 Years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 21 Years | 43 Years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 21 Years | 45 Years |
| BSNL / Departmental Candidates | 21 Years | 35 Years (up to 5 years relaxation) |
Educational Qualification
1. Senior Executive Trainee (Telecom Stream)
Candidates must possess one of the following qualifications:
* Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering / Technology in:
- Telecommunications
- Electronics
- Electrical
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Radio / Microwave / Instrumentation
- Or equivalent disciplines
The degree must be obtained from a recognized university or institution approved by AICTE/UGC.
2. Senior Executive Trainee (Finance Stream)
Candidates must possess:
- CA (Chartered Accountant)
OR - CMA (Cost Management Accountant)
OR - MBA / PGDM (Finance) from a recognized institution
Final-year candidates may be required to submit proof of qualification before joining.
BSNL SET Salary / Stipend Structure
Candidates selected for the BSNL Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment 2026 are appointed in the E-3 IDA Pay Scale.
The compensation is based on the Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) pattern:
Pay Scale: ₹24,900 – ₹50,500 (E-3 Grade).
Initial Basic Pay: ₹24,900 per month.
Estimated Monthly In-Hand Salary: Approximately ₹76,000 – ₹87,000, depending on the city of posting.
Annual CTC: Estimated between ₹14 – ₹15 Lakhs (including all perks and benefits).
Additional Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (IDA): Revised quarterly based on inflation.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Provided at 9%, 18%, or 27% of basic pay, categorized by city.
- Medical Benefits: Coverage for the executive and eligible dependents.
- Leave Travel Concessions
- Performance-based incentives
- Pension benefits as per BSNL rules
The total CTC is highly competitive, making this one of the most sought-after PSU jobs.
BSNL SET 2026 Application Fee
| Candidate Category | Application Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General / OC / OBC / EWS | ₹2,500 |
| SC / ST / PwBD (PH) | ₹1,250 |
Important Payment Details :-
- Mode of Payment: Fees must be paid exclusively through Online Mode using Internet Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card via the BSNL Recruitment Portal.
- Refund Policy: The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances and cannot be reserved for future examinations.
- Challenge Fee: After the exam, if you wish to challenge a question or answer key, a non-refundable charge of ₹500 per question will apply.
Selection Process for BSNL SET 2026
The selection process consists of the following stages:
1.Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Mode: Online
Type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions
Medium: English
The CBT will test:
- Technical / Professional Knowledge
- General Awareness
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
2. Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted based on CBT scores will be called for document verification.
3. Medical Examination
Final selection is subject to the candidate being declared medically fit as per BSNL standards.
Exam Pattern & Weightage
The CBT is divided into two parts, totaling 200 marks with a duration of 180 minutes (3 hours).
| Exam Part | Subject Focus | No. of Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-I | General Aptitude (Reasoning, Math, English) | 40 Questions | 20% |
| Part-II | Core Technical (Telecom Operations or Finance) | 160 Questions | 80% |
- Marking Scheme: +1 mark for each correct answer; -0.25 negative marking for each incorrect attempt.
- Language: The examination is conducted in English only.
Minimum Qualifying Marks :-
To be considered for the final merit list, candidates must meet both sectional and overall cutoff percentages.
| Category | Sectional Minimum (Part I & II each) | Overall Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC | 40% | 50% |
| SC / ST / PwBD | 35% | 45% |
How to Apply for BSNL SET Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps to apply online:
To apply for the BSNL Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment 2026, follow this step-by-step guide during the application window from February 5 to March 7, 2026.
Step 1: Initial Registration
- Visit the official BSNL website
- Click on the link for “Senior Executive Trainee (DR) – 2026”.
- Select “New Registration” and enter your basic details: name, date of birth, valid email ID, and mobile number.
- Verify the OTP sent to your mobile/email to generate your unique Registration Number and Password.
Step 2: Fill the Application Form
- Log in using your new credentials.
- Select your preferred stream: Telecom Operations or Finance.
- Enter detailed personal information, communication address, and academic qualifications (BE/BTech or CA/CMA details).
Step 3: Upload Required Documents
Ensure all files are in the prescribed format (JPG/JPEG) before uploading:
- Photograph: Recent color passport size, white background (20KB–50KB).
- Signature: On white paper with black/blue ink (10KB–20KB).
- Certificates: Class 10th (for DOB), Degree Certificate, consolidated mark sheets, and Caste/Category/PwBD certificates (if applicable).
Step 4: Fee Payment & Final Submission
Choose your preferred exam center from the available list.
Review your application carefully using the Preview button, as major details cannot be changed after submission.
Pay the application fee (₹2,500 for Gen/OBC/EWS or ₹1,250 for SC/ST/PwBD) via Online Mode (Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI).
Submit the form and download/print the registration slip and fee receipt for future reference.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Read the notification carefully before applying
- Use a valid email ID and mobile number
- Ensure accuracy while filling application details
- Keep multiple copies of the application form
- Check the official website regularly for updates
Preparation Tips for BSNL SET Aspirants
Understand the Syllabus
Focus primarily on core technical subjects relevant to your stream.
Practice Previous Questions
Solve PSU-level questions and mock tests.
Time Management
Allocate fixed hours daily for preparation.
Revise Regularly
Revision is key to retaining technical concepts.
Stay Updated
Follow current affairs related to telecom, finance, and government policies.
Why Choose BSNL as a Career?
- Government job security
- Nationwide posting opportunities
- Leadership roles in telecom infrastructure
- Excellent work-life balance
- Attractive salary and benefits
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is BSNL SET a permanent job?
Yes, it is a permanent government PSU position.
Q2. Can final-year students apply?
Subject to notification conditions, proof of qualification is mandatory before joining.
Q3. Is GATE score required?
No, selection is through BSNL-conducted CBT.
Candidates are advised to apply early, prepare strategically, and regularly follow official updates to stay ahead in the competition.
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION PDF | CLICK HERE |
| APPLY ONLINE | CLICK HERE |
| WHATSAPP LINK | CLICK HERE |
| TELEGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| FACEBOOK LINK | CLICK HERE |
| INSTAGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| MORE UPDATES | CLICK HERE |
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