BSNL is preparing for a major management transition, with 100 General Managers to be appointed on contract as ITS officers who have served on long deputation are sent back. The move comes as BSNL expands 4G and prepares for 5G.
BSNL is preparing to appoint 100 General Managers on a contract basis as Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) officers who have spent years on deputation with the state-owned telecom company are gradually repatriated.
The move is aimed at strengthening BSNL's internal management as it expands its 4G and 5G services and reduces its long-term dependence on deputed civil service officers.
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Why are ITS officers being sent back?
A number of ITS officers have been working with BSNL on deputation for around 25 years. As these officers return to their parent service, BSNL is looking to build a new management structure that relies more heavily on telecom professionals.
The transition is particularly important as BSNL expands its 4G network and prepares for the wider rollout of 5G services.
The government has asked BSNL to develop a new generation of senior managers from within the organisation and ensure that the company does not face a leadership gap as deputed officers leave.
BSNL to appoint 100 General Managers
As part of the transition, BSNL is looking to appoint 100 General Managers in the telecom stream on a contractual basis.
The recruitment is intended to bring in experienced professionals with expertise in telecom and information technology.
The company is looking for candidates with at least 15 years of professional experience, including substantial experience in senior management positions.
The appointments are open not only to eligible BSNL employees but also to qualified candidates from outside the organisation.
What is the salary for the new GMs?
The proposed General Managers will receive a monthly remuneration of Rs 2.25 lakh.
The contract also provides for an annual increment of 5%.
According to the information provided, the cost is expected to be lower than the expenditure involved in salaries and benefits associated with ITS officers.
The recruitment is therefore being presented as both a management-strengthening measure and a way of creating a more sustainable leadership structure.
Who can apply?
BSNL has set relatively stringent eligibility requirements for the positions.
Applicants must:
- Be aged 50 years or below.
- Hold a B.E. or B.Tech degree.
- Have at least 15 years of professional experience.
- Have at least five years of experience in a senior executive or Deputy General Manager-level position.
- Have relevant experience in the telecom or IT sectors.
The focus is therefore on experienced professionals rather than early-career applicants.
Why does BSNL need new senior managers?
The timing is linked closely to BSNL's ongoing technological transition.
The company is expanding its 4G network and moving towards 5G services, increasing the need for managers with specialist knowledge of telecom networks, technology and large-scale operations.
The return of long-serving ITS officers could otherwise create gaps in senior management.
By recruiting experienced professionals while simultaneously developing internal talent, BSNL aims to create a leadership pipeline that can manage the company's next phase of expansion.
What happens to the ITS officers?
The repatriation is expected to take place in phases.
Rather than replacing all deputed officers at once, BSNL is preparing a gradual transition as the new General Managers are appointed.
The objective is to prevent disruption to the company's operations and ensure that experienced managers are available while the new leadership structure is established.
The change also marks a significant shift from a model in which BSNL has depended heavily on government-service officers for senior management over an extended period.
Why are BSNL employee unions unhappy?
The proposed recruitment has triggered opposition from employee unions.
Their main concern is that BSNL is choosing to directly appoint external professionals to senior positions instead of promoting experienced employees within the organisation.
Unions argue that qualified BSNL employees should have opportunities to move into General Manager-level positions through internal promotion.
The dispute therefore centres on a larger question about BSNL's future management structure:
Should the company primarily promote experienced employees from within, or bring in senior professionals from outside to fill specialised leadership roles?
What is the significance for BSNL?
The recruitment comes at an important stage in BSNL's transformation.
The company is attempting to expand its network and compete more effectively in India's telecom market while dealing with the operational challenges associated with large-scale technology upgrades.
A stronger pool of professionally experienced General Managers could help BSNL manage:
- 4G network expansion;
- the transition towards 5G;
- telecom infrastructure;
- IT systems;
- network operations;
- commercial operations;
- and large-scale technology projects.
At the same time, the success of the move will depend on how effectively BSNL integrates external recruits with its existing workforce.
What happens next?
BSNL's committee is currently examining the online applications received from eligible candidates.
The next steps are expected to involve shortlisting, selection and appointment of candidates for the 100 General Manager positions.
Once the new leadership structure begins taking shape, ITS officers are expected to be repatriated in phases.
The transition will also be watched closely by employee unions, particularly over the question of internal promotions.
The bigger picture
The proposed appointments represent more than a routine recruitment exercise.
For nearly a quarter of a century, ITS officers have played an important role in BSNL's senior management through deputation. Their gradual return marks a shift towards building a management structure that is less dependent on officers from the government service.
At the same time, BSNL is trying to move from its traditional role as a government-run telecom provider towards a more technology-focused organisation capable of managing large 4G and 5G networks.
The appointment of 100 experienced General Managers is intended to support that transition.
However, the debate over external recruitment versus internal promotion could remain a significant issue as BSNL reshapes its senior management.
Published: 18 Aug 2026, 07:12 am IST
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