Telangana's First Linewoman: The Inspiring Story of Babburi Sirisha Who Broke a Male Bastion in India's Power Sector

Who Is Babburi Sirisha?

Babburi Sirisha was born into a family of daily wage workers in Ganeshpally village, Markook Mandal, Siddipet district of Telangana. Despite limited resources, she pursued technical education and completed her ITI course in the Electrician trade in 2017. Her inspiration came from her uncle, B. Shekar, a Sub-Engineer with TSSPDCL, who encouraged her from an early age.

•    Sirisha's uncle B. Shekar, a TSSPDCL Sub-Engineer, was her earliest mentor and motivator.
•    He trained her personally in pole climbing, a key skill required for the Junior Lineman post.
•    She was the daughter of daily wage workers — a fact that makes her achievement even more significant.
•    She later enrolled in graduation studies through an open university while working.

The Barrier That Kept Women Out of the Job

When TSSPDCL issued a notification in 2019 to fill 534 Junior Lineman vacancies, Sirisha applied — only to be told the post was exclusively for men. The official reasoning? That the job required climbing 18-feet electricity poles frequently, which was considered unsuitable and dangerous for women.

•    TSSPDCL's rules explicitly prohibited women from applying for lineman posts.
•    Authorities claimed that climbing 18-feet electricity poles was too physically demanding for women.
•    This restriction had no scientific or constitutional basis — it was purely rooted in gender bias.
•    The post of 'lineman' had never been held by a woman in the state's public sector power companies.

The Legal Battle: Fighting for the Right to Apply

Sirisha refused to accept the rejection. In 2019, she along with six other women who wanted to apply for the same post filed a case of gender bias against TSSPDCL in the Telangana High Court. The legal battle lasted an entire year.

•    Sirisha and six other women filed a gender discrimination case in the Telangana High Court in 2019.
•    TSSPDCL initially offered a 33% reservation for women but continued to resist full participation.
•    The court ordered the company to allow women to appear in both the written exam and the mandatory Pole Test.
•    TSSPDCL held back women's results even after they cleared the written exam — requiring another court intervention.
•    The verdict ultimately came in favour of the women, setting a legal precedent for gender equality in technical government jobs.

The Exam, the Pole Test, and the Historic Appointment

Out of eight women who applied after the court order, Sirisha and V. Bharathi (from Mahabubabad district) cleared the written examination. The next challenge was the Pole Test — a physical exam requiring candidates to climb an 18-feet electricity pole.

•    Sirisha completed the pole climb (up and down) in under one minute — faster than many male candidates.
•    Both Sirisha and Bharathi successfully cleared all qualifying rounds.
•    TSSPDCL Power Minister Jagadish Reddy personally handed Sirisha her appointment letter.
•    Sirisha was posted at the Medchal Circle in Hyderabad as Junior Lineman (Linewoman).
•    Bharathi was separately appointed in Telangana Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO).

Training, Determination, and Breaking Stereotypes

Sirisha's path to mastering pole climbing was not without challenges. During training, she recalled receiving strange looks from others — but she chose to ignore them and stay focused.

•    She stated: "Initially climbing a pole was tough, but after continuous training I learnt the skills and now it has become very easy."
•    Bharathi's husband trained her for two hours every day on pole climbing to help her prepare for the Pole Test.
•    Both women stated they would insist on being referred to as 'Linewomen', not linemen.
•    Sirisha's appointment may force TSSPDCL to officially revise the gender-specific job title in its records.

Why This Story Matters: Broader Impact on Gender Equality

Sirisha's story goes beyond a personal milestone. It exposed institutionalised gender discrimination in public sector hiring and triggered a systemic change in how women are treated in technically demanding government roles.

•    Her legal victory removed the blanket ban on women applying for lineman posts in Telangana's power companies.
•    It set a precedent that physical capability — not gender — should determine eligibility for blue-collar government jobs.
•    The Minister noted that more than 200 women had already been recruited as Junior Linewomen in Telangana TRANSCO, reflecting a wider shift.
•    According to research cited in 2025, around 78% of Indian employers now plan to hire more women for blue-collar roles, a trend Sirisha helped catalyse.
•    Sirisha herself said: "My selection proves that women are no less than men and can succeed in all sectors."

Sirisha's Message to Her Family and Future Generations

For Sirisha, this achievement is deeply personal. She has spoken openly about wanting to repay her parents' sacrifices through this steady government job.

•    "My parents worked hard to give me a good education. Now, it's time for me to give them back," she said after her appointment.
•    She is also completing her graduation through an open university while working in the field.
•    Having been posted in Hyderabad, she plans to relocate her family to the city.
•    She married recently and continues her work at the Medchal Circle.