Department of Posts, BSE sign MoU to expand mutual fund access through India Post network
The MoU was signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, general manager (CCS & RB), department of posts, and Sundararaman Ramamurthy, managing director and chief executive officer, BSE, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
New Delhi, December 12: The Department of Posts and BSE on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding to expand access to mutual fund investments across India by leveraging the country’s extensive postal network, in a move aimed at strengthening financial inclusion in rural and semi-urban regions.
The agreement, signed in New Delhi, enables India Post to act as a distributor of mutual fund products through its nationwide network of post offices, using the BSE StAR MF platform, the country’s largest mutual fund distribution system. The initiative aligns with the Budget 2025–26 announcement that emphasised leveraging India Post’s last-mile reach to catalyse economic activity in underserved areas.
The MoU was signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, general manager (CCS & RB), department of posts, and Sundararaman Ramamurthy, managing director and chief executive officer, BSE, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations, in New Delhi.
Under the partnership, selected postal employees will be trained and certified as mutual fund distributors, enabling them to facilitate investor services and execute mutual fund transactions through the BSE platform. The agreement will remain valid for three years, from December 12, 2025 to December 11, 2028, with provisions for renewal, the Ministry of Communications said in a statement.
As part of the collaboration, BSE will support the onboarding of eligible postal officials by generating employee unique identification numbers for authorised personnel, ensuring compliance and transparency. BSE will also facilitate certification through the National Institute of Securities Markets, enabling postal employees and agents to obtain the mandatory mutual fund distributor certification.
Certified and trained postal officials will assist customers with informed investment decisions, execute transactions and provide investor support services at the last mile. The initiative is expected to significantly improve access to formal investment avenues in tier-2, tier-3 and rural areas.
The collaboration strengthens the department of posts’ efforts to expand its financial services portfolio while complementing BSE’s objective of building an efficient and investor-friendly mutual fund ecosystem. By integrating BSE’s technology platform with India Post’s widespread physical presence, the initiative aims to enhance investor awareness, improve service accessibility and promote wider participation in financial markets.
The ministry said the partnership is expected to boost mutual fund penetration beyond metropolitan centres and contribute to India’s broader goal of building a financially aware and empowered population.
