Nokia’s Tarun Chhabra To Be New BSNL CMD?
Chhabra, is currently associated with Nokia as Chief Technology Officer
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Tarun Chhabra, a senior executive associated with Nokia, has reportedly been finalised by the Search-cum-Selection Committee for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
If confirmed, the selection would mark a significant shift in the leadership of the state-owned telecom operator, with a professional from the private telecom technology sector taking charge of the country’s public-sector telecom giant.
According to information available to INDIANPSU.COM, the committee has finalised Chhabra’s name following the selection process. However, an official announcement and approval by the competent authority are awaited.
Private-sector entry into BSNL’s top job
The appointment process assumes significance because the government had opened the BSNL CMD position to candidates from both the public and private sectors.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in its June 2026 notification, constituted a Search-cum-Selection Committee under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).
The notification invited applications from eligible private-sector executives, subject to prescribed qualifications and experience. Private-sector applicants were required to be associated with companies having an average annual turnover of at least Rs 2,000 crore. The age limit was prescribed as 45 to 59 years.
Tarun Chhabra’s association with Nokia
Chhabra has been associated with Nokia’s India operations in a senior leadership capacity. The Ministry of Communications, in a PIB release dated August 11, 2025, identified him as Country Head, Nokia India.
The PIB release also recorded his participation in the signing of a strategic MoU between Nokia and BSNL, alongside other global technology companies, for advanced telecom training in 5G, AI, cybersecurity and networking at BRBRAITT, Jabalpur.
His reported selection would bring experience from the global telecom technology industry into the leadership of BSNL at a critical stage of its transformation.
BSNL awaits a full-time CMD
BSNL has been functioning under an arrangement of additional charge since July 2024, when A. Robert J. Ravi was entrusted with the responsibility following the end of P. K. Purwar’s tenure.
The government subsequently extended Ravi’s additional charge while efforts continued to identify a regular CMD.
The appointment of a full-time CMD is important for BSNL as it continues its 4G rollout, works towards strengthening its network infrastructure and attempts to improve its competitive position in India’s telecom market.
While the Search-cum-Selection Committee has reportedly finalised Tarun Chhabra’s name, the formal appointment will be subject to the requisite government approvals.
