Centre sets up search panel to appoint BSNL CMD; applications invited till July 22

The Centre has constituted a search-cum-selection committee to appoint a full-time Chairman and Managing Director of state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), initiating the process to fill the top post on an immediate basis.

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Communications, the committee will be chaired by the Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). The appointment will be made on an immediate absorption basis in the pay scale of ₹80,000–1,25,000.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has invited applications from eligible candidates, including those from the private sector, with the deadline set at 3 pm on July 22.

The move comes after an earlier round of interviews conducted last year failed to yield a suitable candidate, despite around 10 applicants being evaluated.

The development follows the recent decision by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) to extend the additional charge of A. Robert J. Ravi as BSNL CMD for a further six months, effective April 15, 2026. Ravi has been holding the additional charge since July 13, 2024, alongside his role as Deputy Director General (Standards, Research & Innovation) at the DoT. His interim tenure was previously extended in October 2025.

A 1990-batch Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer, Ravi has overseen a notable operational turnaround at BSNL. Under his leadership, the public sector telco reported improved financial and subscriber metrics.

BSNL’s average revenue per user (ARPU) rose 42% year-on-year to ₹101 in FY26, reflecting improved monetisation. The telco also continued to expand its subscriber base, adding 76,175 wireless users in April 2026 to reach nearly 93.02 million subscribers.

The appointment of a full-time CMD is seen as critical for sustaining BSNL’s revival momentum and steering its ongoing network expansion and 4G/5G roadmap.

CT Bureau