DoP–NSE Partnership Widens Investor Reach Nationwide
MoU Aims to Take Mutual Funds to Rural India
New Delhi: The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) to enable the distribution of mutual fund products through India Post’s extensive nationwide postal network, in a move aimed at widening access to investment opportunities and strengthening financial inclusion.
Announced today, the collaboration will combine the Department of Posts’ network of more than 1.64 lakh post offices with NSE’s digital platform for mutual fund transactions, which handles the entire process from order placement to settlement in compliance with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulations. The initiative is intended to significantly enhance last-mile access to mutual fund products, especially in rural and semi-urban regions where formal investment channels remain limited.
The partnership aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision of deepening financial inclusion by integrating the trust, accessibility and reach of India Post with NSE’s technological expertise and market infrastructure. Officials said the initiative is expected to promote investor awareness, transparency and participation in capital market-linked financial products while ensuring regulatory compliance and investor protection. NSE’s system covers everything “from placing orders to settling them” under SEBI rules.
The MoU was signed in New Delhi by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager (Citizen Centric Services and Rural Business), Department of Posts, and Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
Under the agreement, selected employees of the Department of Posts will be identified, trained and onboarded as certified mutual fund distributors. These officials will be authorised to offer mutual fund products and related investor services through NSE’s mutual fund platform, subject to mandatory certifications and regulatory requirements, including NISM certification and Employee Unique Identification Number (EUIN) registration. The arrangement will remain valid for a period of three years from the date of execution, with provisions for renewal by mutual consent.
Speaking on the occasion, Manisha Bansal Badal said the Department of Posts has consistently played a key role in advancing financial inclusion and delivering citizen-centric services. She noted that the partnership with NSE would allow India Post to provide modern investment solutions to customers while maintaining high standards of investor protection, transparency and regulatory compliance.
Sriram Krishnan described the collaboration as an important milestone in NSE’s efforts to broaden access to capital market-linked financial products. He said that by combining India Post’s vast physical presence with NSE’s digital mutual fund platform, the initiative aims to create a transparent, compliant and investor-friendly distribution ecosystem capable of reaching citizens across the country.
The programme is expected to contribute significantly to increasing mutual fund penetration in Tier-2, Tier-3 and rural areas, strengthening investor confidence and supporting India’s journey towards a financially empowered society.
The MoU, signed on February 10, 2026, will be implemented in a phased manner, beginning with a pilot project covering selected locations. The collaboration also aligns with the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to promote financial literacy, investor protection and inclusive access to financial services nationwide.
– global bihari bureau
