Government-owned telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has reported a net profit of Rs 280 crore for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2025, marking its second consecutive profitable quarter after nearly two decades of financial distress. This achievement signals not just a revival, but a strategic redefinition of the ailing public sector giant under the Modi government’s reform-oriented leadership.
The resurgence is being hailed as historic, considering the company had posted a loss of Rs 849 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the figures at a press conference, stating,
“For the first time in 18 years, BSNL has reported back-to-back net profits — not just operational surpluses or marginal gains, but solid net profitability — the second consecutive quarter since 2007.”
BSNL delivers first back-to-back Quarter profits in 17 years!
Continuing on its profitable path, BSNL has posted a strong net profit of ₹280 crores in Jan-March quarter of FY 25, marking back-to-back profitable quarters after ₹261 crores in FY25 Q3.
The consistent turnaround…
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) May 27, 2025
Minister Scindia also, underscored the political contrast between the NDA and UPA eras, highlighting the Rs 280 crore Q4 profit and Rs 261 crore Q3 profit as evidence of Bharatiya Janata Party-led governance bringing public sector enterprises back to life.
“After a Rs 14,979 crore loss under Congress, BSNL has returned to back-to-back profits for the first time in 17 years,” Scindia posted. “This reflects the focused and reform-driven leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji.”
In the October–December quarter (Q3 FY25), BSNL had already reported a profit of Rs 262 crore. This sustained momentum has now significantly reduced the firm’s annual loss for FY25 to Rs 2,247 crore — down from Rs 5,370 crore in FY24. The company’s operating revenue rose 7.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 20,841 crore in FY25, from Rs 19,330 crore in the previous fiscal.
This financial revival comes after years of hemorrhaging losses. Under the Congress-led UPA government in FY14, BSNL recorded a devastating Rs 14,979 crore loss. Today, the company stands on the cusp of a possible full-year profit in the near future, reflecting the efficacy of reforms initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
BSNL Chairman and Managing Director A Robert J Ravi attributed the success to professional management, robust government support, and sharp operational focus. “BSNL is not just being revived, but redefined,” he said. “With strict cost discipline and rapid deployment of 4G and 5G services, we’re confident of sustaining this growth while delivering affordable, high-quality connectivity.”
Ravi emphasised that profitability, while important, is not BSNL’s ultimate goal. “Our mission is to redefine telecom excellence in public service. When we consistently serve, innovate for inclusivity, and reach the unreached, profits will follow as a byproduct of that excellence,” he asserted.
The Ministry of Communications highlighted that BSNL’s revival is also being driven by strategic capital investments and indigenous technological expansion. The government’s massive push for 4G/5G rollout using Indian-designed equipment, backhaul fiber upgrades, and network-as-a-service (NaaS) models have enabled BSNL to become a key instrument in India’s quest for digital sovereignty.
Despite expectations of short-term moderation in profitability due to increased capital expenditure, the long-term outlook remains optimistic. A significant asset monetisation programme is underway to raise funds for continued infrastructure growth. The ministry reported that asset sales nearly doubled last year and are expected to rise further.
