BSNL: All about Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (abbreviated BSNL) is an Indian state-owned telecommunications company headquartered in New Delhi. It was incorporated on 15 September 2000 and assumed the business of providing telecom services and network management from the erstwhile Central Government Departments of Telecom Services (DTS) and Telecom Operations (DTO) as of 1 October 2000 on a going-concern basis. It is the largest provider of fixed telephony and broadband services with more than 60% market share and is the fourth largest mobile telephony provider in India.

 

What is BSNL?

BSNL is one of the popular central public sector undertakings in India. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited headquarters are located in New Delhi, India. The organization is a technology-oriented telecom service company that offers different telecom services such as wire-line services, Wi-Fi services, data center services, and national long-distance services. This popular firm works under the ownership of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.

 

What is the full form of BSNL?

BSNL full form is Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.  

If you are an engineer, it is important to keep in mind that the BSNL company offers a wide range of opportunities for engineers who have recently graduated or will be graduating soon. The BSNL JE jobs are one of the most appreciated designations for engineers who are looking forward to building a career in the telecom sector. It is one of the most prestigious government jobs for engineers who want to build a career in India.

This blog post is not a job notification and just serves as a guide to sharing all the relevant information.

BSNL recruits Junior Telecom Officers (JTO) in civil and electrical disciplines of telecom based on valid GATE scores and MT (Telecom Operators) posts, through an Assessment Process (online) test. However, the number of posts released for each may vary based on the vacancy of the particular stream. The Degrees which are eligible for applying to BSNL are B.E., B. Tech, Diploma + B.E/B.Tech (Lateral Entry) in the specified streams and for MT Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Technology degree or equivalent Engineering degree in Telecommunications, Electronics, Computer/IT, and Electrical engineering.

 

For a better understanding of the recruitment process in BSNL, this article will be divided into 5 parts:

1. Eligibility
2. Exam pattern and syllabus
3. Cut-off
4. Job Profile

Each heading will have subheadings for both JTO and MT.

 

1. Eligibility

It is the basic requirement that BSNL expects the candidates appearing for the entrance exam for MT or joining as JTO must process. Accordingly, the eligibility criteria include age and educational qualification.

Junior Telecom Officers (JTO):

Age:

• The BSNL JTO requirement concerning age is that the maximum age limit for all the candidates is 30 years i.e. candidates less than 30 years of age can apply for the post of JTO in BSNL.
• The minimum age is 18 years to become eligible for the post.
• Also, there is age relaxation which is provided to various candidates applying for the post. The age relaxation provided is as follows:
  • For the SC/ST candidates, an age relaxation of up to 5 years is provided on the upper limit.
• OBC candidates: The age relaxation of up to 3 years is provided on the upper limit.
• SC/ST-PwD candidates: An age relaxation of up to 15 years is provided on the upper limit.
• OBC-PwD candidates: An age relaxation of up to 13 years is provided on the upper limit.
• BSNL employees receive an age relaxation of up to 5 years is provided on the upper limit.
• For the Ex-Servicemen the age relaxation is as per Central Govt. Rules.
• For J & K candidates: Relaxation shall be in accordance with DoP & T’s notification No. 15012/7/1991-Estt. (D) dated 07-12-2007, pertaining to “Residents of State of Jammu & Kashmir (Relaxation of upper age limit for recruitment to Central Civil Services & Posts) Rules-1997”

 

MT (Management Trainee )

Age Eligibility

• The BSNL MT requirement concerning age is that the maximum age limit for all the candidates is 30 years i.e. candidates less than 30 years of age can apply for the post of Management Trainee in BSNL.
• There is also age relaxation, which is provided to various candidates applying for the post. The age relaxation provided is:
• The SC/ST candidates receive an age relaxation of up to 5 years in the upper limit.
• As far as OBC candidates are concerned, they receive an age relaxation of up to 3 years provided on the upper limit.
• SC/ST-PWD candidates: An age relaxation of up to 15 years provided on the upper limit.
• OBC-PWD candidates: An age relaxation of up to 13 years provided on the upper limit.

 

Education Qualification

The BSNL requirement for the Junior Trainee Officer is that the candidate must have a qualified GATE exam and thus must be a graduate in BE/B.Tech. or equivalent in Electrical/Civil Engineering.

For the post of Management Trainee, the educational qualifications are Bachelors of Engineering/Bachelors of Technology degree or equivalent Engineering degree in Telecommunications, Electronics, Computer/IT, and Electrical with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST candidates). The candidates must have completed the course on a regular full-time basis on the last date of application from a recognized/reputed Indian Institute/University recognized under Indian Law.

In the case of the BSNL MT recruitment, the candidate must have completed MBA or M. Tech. (on a regular full-time basis on the last date of application from a recognized/reputed Indian Institute/University recognized under Indian Law).

Accordingly, the educational qualification for the candidates for various posts of JTO and MT includes the following:

• Candidates must be a citizen of India only.

S.No.	Branch	Educational Qualifications
1	JTO (Civil Engineering)	Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from a University in India established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, State Act or an Institution Recognized by the University Grants Commission/ AICTE.
2	JTO (Electrical Engineering)	Must be a Graduate in Engineering in Electrical from any University in India established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a State Act, or an Institution Recognized by the University Grants Commission or an Equivalent qualification.
3	Management Trainee (Telecommunication)	Must be a Graduate in Engineering in Telecommunication from any University in India established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a State Act or an Institution Recognized by the University Grants Commission or an Equivalent qualification with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST candidates). Completed the course on a regular full-time basis on the last date of application. Candidate must have done MBA or M. Tech. (on a regular full-time basis on the last date of application from a recognized/reputed Indian Institute/University recognized under Indian Law).
4	MT (Electronics)	Must be a Graduate in Engineering in Electronics with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST candidates). Completed the course on a regular full-time basis on the last date of application.  Candidate must have done MBA or M. Tech.
5	MT (CS/IT)	Must be a Graduate in Engineering in CS/ IT with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST candidates). Completed the course on a regular full-time basis on the last date of application.  Candidate must have done MBA or M. Tech.
6	MT (Electrical)	Must be a Graduate in Engineering in Electrical with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST candidates). Completed the course on a regular full-time basis on the last date of application. Candidate must have completed MBA or M. Tech. from a recognized university.

 

BSNL entrance exam pattern and BSNL syllabus

The concerned department conducts the selection of candidates for appointment to the junior trainee posts based on merit in the GATE examination. Therefore, the BSNL syllabus for Junior Engineer is similar to that of the GATE exam.

• The selection of candidates will be against the vacancies of a particular circle as per the preference of the candidate.
• Candidates will be required to choose one circle while filling out the application. Accordingly, the respective candidate will receive the posting after the final selection.  
• The authorities prepare a circle-wise merit list based on the GATE scores of the applicants and the vacancies available under the circle.
• Accordingly, a circle-wise cut-off will also be determined and used to screen the applicants while preparing the merit list for each circle.
• There will be no interview or examination for this recruitment.
• Candidates who are shortlisted will be required to get their documents verified and will be issued call letters thereafter.
• There will be a pre-appointment training which candidates will have to qualify to be selected.
• Candidates who do not qualify in the Pre-appointment training in the first attempt will be given a second attempt to qualify.

Note:

However, for the post of Management Trainee, the candidate’s selection is based on their performance in an Assessment Process (Online) test followed by Group Discussion and Interview.

The candidates must appear for all the papers. Absence in any of the papers will automatically render his/her candidature disqualified.

Considered one of the most prestigious organizations, the BSNL entrance exam tests the technical understanding and management aptitude of various candidates in their respective streams. Therefore, the selection procedure for BSNL is in three phases:

 

It consists of 3 phases. The concerned department selects the candidates for BSNL MT posts based on their performance in the following tests:

• Assessment Process (Online).
• Group Discussion.
• Personal Interview.

 

S.No.	Component	Marks	Duration
1	Section-1–Management Aptitude	150	3 hours
2	Section- 2 – Cognitive Ability	150
3	Section-3–Technical Knowledge	150
	Total	450

Note:

• The candidate has to appear for papers on his/her subject of study in the respective Engineering degree, i.e., B.E. /B. Tech (in the required engineering streams).
• The pattern of the question paper mainly comprises Multiple Choice Objective Types Questions.
• BSNL prioritizes negative markings. For every wrong answer, 25% of marks is deducted from the respective question’s answer.
• Candidates will undergo a common Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) type examination.
• The minimum qualifying marks is 40% for general /OBC candidates whereas it is 33% for SC/ST candidates.

 

S.No.	Component	Syllabus
	Section 1 – Management Aptitude	General Management Managerial Economics Management Information Systems Accounting and Finance Marketing Organizational Behavior Human Resource Management Operations Management Strategic Management Current Events of National & International Importance. Telecom Knowledge etc.
	Section 2 – Cognitive ability	Quantitative Ability Data Sufficiency Reasoning Ability Analytical Ability Logical Ability Verbal Ability Comprehension, etc
	Section 3 – Technical Knowledge	Materials and Components Physical Electronics, Electronics Devices, and ICs Signals and Systems Network theory Electromagnetic Theory Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation Analog Electronic Circuits Digital Electronic Circuits Control Systems Communication Systems Microwave Engineering Computer Engineering Power Electronics

 Group Discussion and Interview

• A merit list will be created for the shortlisted candidates.
• Based on the number of sessions of examinations, normalization of marks would be adopted for the “Online Assessment Process”.
• The Date and Venue of Document Verification, Group Discussion, and Interview will be intimated to shortlisted candidates in due course. A list of candidates for Group Discussion and Interviews will also be uploaded on the BSNL website/Notice Board
• Depending on the number of insurance and the order in the merit list, the candidate will be called for the group discussion, and interview round.
• The final selection will be based on the combined score of the written test, group discussion, and interview.
• Each stage has a different weightage which is as follows:

 

Exam	Weightage
Written Test	75%
Group Discussion	12.5%
Interview	12.5%

They shall summon candidates who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in the objective test as may be fixed by the Commission in their discretion for interview. This further depends on the fact that no general/OBC candidate fails to obtain a minimum of 40% marks. In the case of SC/ST candidates, it is a minimum of 33% marks (in aggregate in both cases).

The number of candidates finalized for the interview and Group Discussion depends on the qualified candidates based on the number of vacancies.

 

BSNL Cut-off

The candidates receive selection and allotment to the respective Service/Department as per their rank in the merit list. The respective department also considers the applicant’s zonal preference opted at the time of making an application to the post online. However, merely securing minimum qualifying marks does not confer any right to the candidate for being considered for the selection.

Every year, the recruitment wing of BSNL determines the cut-off marks for the Junior Trainee Officer (JTO) and Management Trainee based on the GATE exam cut-off, the number of students who took the exam, and the total vacancies available.

 

Job profile, salary, and training:

Junior Trainee Officer

• The BSNL comprises a number of territorial Circles and functional Circles.
• The JTO (Civil) & JTO (Electrical) possess a Circle-based Cadre. The candidates are selected against the vacancies of a particular Circle. (The candidates are required to serve in that particular Circle until they are promoted to All India Cadre).
• However, BSNL has the right to post any selected JTO (Civil) & JTO (Electrical) to any of the Circles, either temporarily or permanently in the interest of service.
• The decision of BSNL in this regard will be final and binding. The service conditions, seniority, etc. of selected candidates will be determined as per prevailing rules of the Company from time to time.
• During Training: Candidates will be entitled to Stipend (Training Allowance) as per the company rules.
• Selected candidates will be appointed with an IDA Pay Scale of E1 Rs.16,400 – Rs.40,500 with an annual increment @ 3% of basic pay plus IDA, HRA, Perks, Medical Benefits, etc. The respective candidates receive confirmation of Grade B at the executive level as per the norms of BSNL.
• The candidates selected shall execute a bond in the format as specified by the Company to serve in BSNL for five years from the date of their appointment as JTO (Civil) & JTO (Electrical) or a period as specified by BSNL for the post from time to time.
• The candidates selected shall have to undergo training as per the training plan laid down by the company before their appointment as JTO (Civil) & JTO (Electrical).
• During the period of training, the direct recruited JTO (Civil) & JTO (Electrical) will be entitled to receive a stipend (Training Allowances) as the respective department at BSNL finalizes for the particular training batch.

 

Management Trainee

• All Management Trainees will remain on probation-cum-training for 2 years including the job training of 52 weeks.
• The candidates shall, before their appointment as Management Trainee have to successfully undergo prescribed training as per the training plan laid down and amended by the Company from time to time.
• All candidates provisionally recruited shall execute Bonds in the format specified by the BSNL indicating their willingness to serve the Corporation for at least five years from the date of their appointment as Management
• The Management Trainee shall be appointed in the IDA pay scale [E-3] of Rs. 24,900-50,500/- (PRE-REVISED) with annual increment @ 3% of basic pay plus IDA, HRA, Perks, Medical Benefits, etc. admissible, as per company rules.
• Appointment as Manager (MT): On successful completion of Probation-cum- training, the officer shall be appointed as Manager (MT).
• The respective candidate receives a promotion to Assistant General Manager (AGM) after working as the Manager (MT) for two years after a detailed analysis of past performance.

 

Some Important Points

• The Commission shall not recommend any candidate for the State Engineering Services, who has failed to obtain a minimum of 50% marks in the aggregate.
• The Commission shall, in case of Woman Candidates, candidates belonging to the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, or the Scheduled Tribes recommend the names of such candidates up to the number of vacancies reserved for them from amongst those who have qualified for an interview, even if they fail to obtain the aggregate marks prescribed above.
• Candidates must produce original documents to the Commission for certificate verification. If the candidate fails to produce the certificates (if any) and/or the particulars furnished in the application do not tally with the original documents produced by the candidate, the respective officials reject/disqualify the candidature without any further correspondence.
• As candidature for the recruitment is processed through Computer/Electronic devices based on the particulars furnished in the application form, the candidate is advised to fill in all the relevant particulars carefully.
• The appointment of selected candidates will be subject to their medical fitness in the appropriate medical classification, and if he/she is of sound health, and active habits free from any bodily defect.

 

Conclusion

Thus, while there are many opportunities available for engineers, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is also a good organization to work with if you want to build a promising career in India.

We hope this article has helped you, for more queries you can always write to us.

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