BSNL Cannot Run on Interim Leadership Indefinitely: Why a Regular CMD Matters
It is about the institution and the need for clear leadership at a time when BSNL is pursuing its 4G rollout
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) needs a regularly selected Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) who can provide stability, accountability and a predictable decision-making framework.
This is not about an individual. It is about the institution and the need for clear leadership at a time when BSNL is pursuing its 4G rollout, improving revenues and attempting to strengthen its competitive position in India’s telecom market.
The additional-charge arrangement, which began in July 2024, has continued through successive extensions. The reported next round of PESB interviews on October 15, 2026, offers an opportunity to move the appointment process forward.
Interim arrangements may be necessary during a vacancy, but they should not become a substitute for regular appointments in a strategically important public sector enterprise.
BSNL’s revival requires long-term planning, timely procurement, effective execution and coordination across its operational units. A regular CMD with a clear mandate can strengthen responsibility for decisions and provide continuity in implementing strategic priorities.
The appointment alone, however, will not guarantee a turnaround. BSNL also needs measurable performance targets, transparent procurement decisions, effective grievance redressal and regular reviews of operational and financial outcomes.
The government must ensure that the selection process reaches a timely conclusion and that the next CMD is accountable for delivering results.
BSNL needs a regular CMD who can provide stability, accountability and a predictable decision-making framework. This is not about an individual; it is about institutional governance and the future of a national telecom asset.
