In a very positive development over the prolonged litigated court matter of AO to CAO promotions challenging issues related to reservations, as an interim measure, Honorable High Court HR & PB has given go ahead signal for CAO promotions as per the seniority in the feeder cadre.
This time, BSNL was represented by a very senior advocate from Delhi who successfully put side of BSNL and pleaded for giving permission for going ahead with CAO Promotions as per the recent DoPT Guidelines and the same has been finally accepted by the Hon High Court.
This case was heard on Thursday, 12/02/2026 and the judgement issued by Court on 17/02/2026. Copy<<<>>
Earlier in Year 2023 also BSNL had pleaded for the same, but the same was not accepted by the court but it was assured for early decision in the pending case, which was given last year and it was directed to recast seniority as per entry level cadre.
The same was challenged by SEWA through its representatives in the Supreme Court, wherein appeal has been accepted and tagged the same with historical Jarnail Sigh case.
Meantime, as special initiatives by CMD BSNL, Shri. Nelli Ram Krishna has been posted as PGM Legal to look into pending court cases independently. Since assuming the charge of PGM Legal, he is sincerely working on overcoming the litigations in promotions and clearing hurdles due to prolonged court cases. SNEA has been regularly discussing the issues to overcome the long pending court case and finding out a way forward for pending promotions.
This judgement in AO to CAO Promotions is a big breakthrough in the overall promotion process of BSNL executives and will be established as a historical achievement as this will give way for pending promotions.
It is important that all parties have agreed as an interim measure to go ahead with CAO promotions and hence this issue has been resolved subject to the outcome of pending Court cases on subject matter. This positive approach only has given way forward for promotions and SNEA CHQ conveys sincere thanks and gratitude to all the parties for such thought process and its implementation in the larger interest of BSNL and its executives.
With this acceptance of factual submission by BSNL and green signal to go ahead with promotions subject to outcome of this case and other related cases, the process of AO to CAO Promotions which has been practically kept on hold since 2022 with one failed attempt in 2025, will be re-opened after four years and we are expecting early promotions of AOs as CAOs.
These CAO Promotions will pave the way and will clear the hurdles in Promotions in all other wings and cadres in BSNL.
The AGM to DGM Telecom Adhoc as well as Regular promotions are stayed by CAT Chandigarh on the basis of the earlier judgment of AO to CAO promotions with directions for revising the seniority.
As such, this clearance and go ahead signal in this AO to CAO will clear the hurdle in DGM Telecom promotions by resolving issues as the petitioner has challenged for revised seniority on the basis of the earlier judgment by HC HR& PB and CAT Chandigarh has stayed Regular as well as Adhoc DGM Telecom promotions.
As the High Court has revised its decision and given go ahead signal for CAO promotions as per seniority in feeder cadre, the Locus Standi in the present case seems to be cleared. But this matter on DGM Telecom Promotions is to be decided by the CAT Chandigarh and we are hopeful for a similar positive outcome in the hearing scheduled on 23/02/2026.
This clearance of CAO Promotions has cleared the way forward for AO promotions and the clearance of DGM Telecom Promotions will clear the way forward for further AGM, SDE and JTO promotions in Telecom wing.
The DPC for JTO to SDE Civil is also in full swing and we are expecting orders at any time for the same and these CAO promotions.
The VCs and SCR called for JTO to SDE Electrical Promotions are still not received from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Chennai TD, Tamilnadu, Gujarat, A&N and Sikkim Circles. CS concerned are appealed to look into this pendency and see that SCR and VCs are sent without further delay.
We once again appeal to one and all to have patience and please do not take every small issue in the court and see that issues are resolved in the BSNL itself.
