The department of telecommunications (DoT) has invited applications for the role of chairman and managing director at state-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), opening the position to candidates from the private sector for the first time. According to reports from Mint and the Ministry of Communications, this marks a significant departure from traditional public sector hiring practices. BSNL has been without a full-time CMD for the past two years, with Robert J. Ravi from DoT given additional charge as the company's CMD on 15 July 2024, after which he received multiple extensions. In October 2025, the telecom department extended his additional charge for six months, and the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his additional charge for six months effective April 15, 2026. The move aims at enhancing leadership and operational efficiency in BSNL.
The government has constituted a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) under the chairmanship of Chairman PESB (Public Enterprises Selection Board) for appointment on immediate absorption basis to the post of CMD, BSNL in the scale of pay of the post of ₹80,000-1,25,000. As reported by Mint and the Ministry of Communications, the committee has kept 3pm on July 22 as the deadline for applications. This is not the first attempt to hire a full-time CMD after the term of P. K. Purwar ended on 14 July 2024. About 10 candidates were interviewed last year but none of them were shortlisted for the position, highlighting the challenge in finding suitable leadership for the state-run telecom operator.
According to the eligibility criteria reported by Mint, the applicant should be an engineering graduate/chartered accountant/cost accountant/post-graduate/graduate with MBA/post-graduate diploma holder in management from a leading institute. The minimum age for the candidate is 45 and the maximum is 59. Private sector candidates must have worked in a company with an annual turnover of ₹2,000 crore or more. The position is also open to applicants from public sector entities, central government, public sector banks and state public sector enterprises with an annual turnover of ₹2,000 crore or more. Applicants from the Central government should hold a post of the level of additional secretary in the government of India or equivalent scale of pay.
BSNL reported a net loss of ₹1,269 crore in the fourth quarter of FY26, compared with a net profit of ₹280 crore a year earlier. According to Mint, revenue from operations fell 14% year-on-year to ₹5,721 crore in the March quarter, hurt by lower revenue across its three key segments—consumer fixed access, consumer mobility and enterprise services. BSNL's loss in FY26 widened to ₹4,738 crore in FY26 from ₹2,247 crore a year earlier. Revenue from operations rose 1.7% to ₹21,199 crore, significantly below the ₹28,476 crore target set under the memorandum of understanding between the DoT and the telecom operator.
Under the leadership of Robert J. Ravi, a 1990-batch Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer, BSNL achieved a historic turnaround with increased operating profit and average revenue per user (ARPU). The public sector telco's average revenue per user (ARPU) has surged by 42% year-on-year to ₹101 in the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2026, compared to the previous fiscal year. In April 2026, the public-sector telco added 76,175 wireless users, ending the month with nearly 93.02 million subscribers.
