Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) informed exchanges on August 6, 2026, through a BSE filing that Shri K. Balaji had been appointed as a government nominee director with effect from July 8, 2026. The disclosure, made under Regulations 30 and 51 of the SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, followed the company’s earlier communication dated July 8.

Balaji is Joint Secretary (Administration) in the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. MTNL attached his brief profile and affirmed that he is not debarred from holding the office of director by any SEBI order or any other authority.

The government-owned telecom company said the director was identified and shortlisted by the Government of India under an order issued by the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. The terms and conditions of the appointment are governed by the relevant DoT appointment letter.

Engineering graduate and 2010-batch IAS officer

Balaji, an IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre from the 2010 batch, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, earned in 2006. He was initially selected for the Indian Police Service in the 2009 batch before joining the IAS in 2010.

His professional profile includes field and administrative assignments in Uttar Pradesh and roles on central deputation:

  • District Magistrate of Auraiya, Ghazipur and Meerut.
  • Managing Director of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd.
  • Private Secretary to the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern States.
  • Director in the Sixteenth Finance Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

He has served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications since April 15, 2026. His earlier central roles covered grant frameworks for local bodies, disaster management, state fiscal assessment, citizenship and immigration.

Committee roles and directorship details

The filing lists Balaji as a director of MTNL and debt-listed BSNL. It also states that he has not resigned from any listed company during the past three years.

At MTNL, he is a member of the Audit Committee and is listed in connection with the chairmanship and membership of the Stakeholder Relationship Committee. The disclosure records his Director Identification Number as 07586266.

Balaji holds no MTNL shares, either personally or as a beneficial owner, according to the filing. MTNL also said no sitting fee is payable for the position. The company marked board-meeting attendance since appointment and inter-se relationships with other directors or key managerial personnel as not applicable.