New Delhi: Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has appointed K. Balaji, Joint Secretary (Administration) in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as Government Nominee Director on its Board with effect from July 8, 2026.
The appointment was disclosed through a regulatory filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in compliance with SEBI’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
Experienced IAS Officer with Strong Administrative Background
K. Balaji is a 2010-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Before joining the IAS, he was selected to the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2009.
He currently serves as Joint Secretary (Administration) in the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, a position he has held since April 15, 2026.
Career Highlights
- IAS Officer (Uttar Pradesh Cadre, 2010 Batch)
- Selected to the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2009
- District Magistrate of Auraiya, Ghazipur and Meerut
- Managing Director, Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd.
- Director, Sixteenth Finance Commission
- Director, Ministry of Home Affairs
- Joint Secretary (Administration), Department of Telecommunications
Board and Committee Responsibilities at MTNL
Following his appointment, K. Balaji has been assigned responsibilities on several key committees of MTNL.
Committee Roles
- Member – Audit Committee
- Chairman and Member – Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee
The company said these appointments are in line with his extensive administrative and regulatory experience.
Educational Qualifications and Professional Expertise
K. Balaji holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, completed in 2006.
During his tenure in various government departments, he has worked on several policy and governance areas, including:
- Local body grant frameworks
- Disaster management
- Fiscal assessment of states
- Citizenship and immigration matters
- Telecommunications administration
He served as Director (Local Bodies & Disaster Management) in the Sixteenth Finance Commission between July 2024 and November 2025, before moving to the Ministry of Home Affairs and later joining the Department of Telecommunications.
Regulatory Disclosures Made by MTNL
As part of its regulatory filing, MTNL stated that:
- K. Balaji is not debarred from holding the office of director by SEBI or any other regulatory authority.
- He does not hold any shares in MTNL.
- He has not resigned from any listed company during the past three years.
- He will not receive sitting fees for serving as Government Nominee Director.
- He also serves on the board of BSNL, a debt-listed entity.
Appointment Strengthens Government Representation on MTNL Board
The appointment of K. Balaji reinforces the Government’s representation on MTNL’s Board at a time when the company continues to focus on governance, regulatory compliance and operational improvements. His experience across public administration, finance, infrastructure and telecommunications is expected to support the company’s strategic decision-making.
About MTNL
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, a Government of India enterprise, provides telecommunication services across Delhi and Mumbai, including fixed-line, broadband, and enterprise solutions. Established in 1986, MTNL continues to serve millions of subscribers while adhering to regulatory standards and promoting transparency in corporate governance.
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