How to Become Post Office Agent (SAS/MPKBY/PPF) & Commission Rates

Published On: 26-Feb-2019

The Department of India Post is a postal system in India, operated by the government, trading as India Post. Generally called the post office in India, it took shape with the Lord William Bentinck's 1837 act. After that, in 1854, Lord Dalhousie laid the foundation for the modern Indian postal service, when he added the India Post office act 1854, and significantly improved upon Lord William Bentinck's 1837 act. He introduced uniform postage rates (universal service). Today, with twenty-three postal circles, 155,015 post offices, and 433,417 (March 2017), it is the most widely distributed postal network in the world.

The post office provides a variety of services as a subsidiary of the Ministry of Communications. From delivering mail (post), remitting money by money orders, accepting deposits under Small Savings Schemes, and providing life insurance cover under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) is done by the department. Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and providing retail services like bill collection, sale of forms, etc. also come under the department. The Department of Posts (DoP) also works as an agent for carrying out various Government services for citizens such as old age pension payments and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) wage disbursement, and so on.

In carrying out many of its tasks, the Dop also employs third-party agents, who work independently for the department at varying capacities. The post office agent's job entails assisting the general public in booking letters, selling and collecting Insurance premiums, sales of Postal Bond Fixed Deposits, and so on, i.e., all kinds of monetary deposits, and policies.

Related Read:
Benefits of DOP Agent Software For India Post Agent

Becoming a post office agent sounds like a complicated process, but it is not so hard, once you determine what services you want to provide, and the requirements for that role.

In this article, we're going to discuss the variety agent positions the DoP has, and what you need to do to get hired as an agent of the department. So, without further ado, let's begin.

Steps to become Post Office Agent (And Post Agents Commission Rates)

Different agent types work under the DoP and these positions and look after various tasks. For becoming one of the agents, there are criteria that the applicants have to fulfill, and after that has been taken care of, agents can begin working. 
Let's start with the primary agent types.

1. SAS (Standard Agency System) Agents

Standardised Agency System (SAS) first got introduced by the Government in 1960, and the role of the appointed agents is to canvass for sale of specific National saving schemes. A standard agency system agent or SAS agent has responsibilities such as promoting the sales of promoting the sale of KVP/ NSC/ TD/MIS/DSRGE and so on. SAS agents liaison between District Institutional Finance offices, Post Offices, and investors, and provide services to the investors at their doorsteps. 
From all the collection made by the agents under all the previously mentioned schemes except for DSRGE, they get commission (subject to change by the Government), which they can collect from the respective post office/bank branch.

Agents get commission of their collections, which they can collect from their concerned post office/bank branch.

District Collector (DC) is responsible for appointing SAS Agents. In some of the States, BDOs/Tehsildars also designated as appointing authorities under SAS.

How to become SAS Agent

Following entities are eligible for the SAS.

Eligibility

• Any interested Adult individuals can apply.
• E.D.B.P.M.S.
• The Registered Co-operative society is also eligible.
• Scheduled Banks can also apply for SAS.
• Registered Social Service organisations are also eligible.
• Universities, as well as Gram Panchayats, are also considered.

You have to submit certain documents to the district office, and after consideration, applicants can get access as the agents of the department. 

You need to provide the following documents.

Required Documentation

• You need to fill and present the application form, the agreement form, and the\ nomination form.
• Also, you need to exhibit the Form of Fidelity guarantee insurance for SAS and pledging of minimum Rs.2000/- (Rupees two thousand only).
• An affidavit attested by Magistrate or the notary on the stamp paper of ten rupees only.
• You need two character certificates, as well as four passport-sized photographs.
• You also need to present a proof of date of birth, and a copy of your ration card.

How to Apply

To apply, you have to get the application forms that are available at District Institutional finance office/ OIC in each district of the state. After filling the application form, and gathering all the required documents (mentioned above), you need to submit all this to the district office. The applicants must have adequate education to understand, as well as carry out the technicalities of transactions. They also must possess an extensive network which they may use for their services. Character certificates are needed to prove the integrity of the applicant, and he/she must have some immovable property on their name. Anyone who's a Central and State Government employees is not eligible for appointment.
At the district office, after consideration, District Collector appoints the agents that pass the criteria.

After the appointment, the appointing authority issues a certificate of authorisation for the agent under SAS. The document shows the details of the agent and the validity of the agency. 

After this, the agent is qualified for payment of commission on the deposits secured by them in specific National Savings Schemes.

The rates for these schemes is set and notified by the Government. The agents also get a printed receipt book, which agents use while receiving cash/check for deposit. The limit for cash received from one investor at a time is ten thousand rupees for the agent.
 

Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojna Agent (M.P.K.B.Y.)

Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojna's agency system got introduced by the Government in 1972 for the first time. With its introduction, the goal of the government was as follows.

• The goal of this system was to familiarise the housewives with the concept of family budgeting.
• Along with that, it was also to instil in the household, and the self-employed people, the habit of thrift.
• With this, the Government aimed to canvass for and secure investment in National Savings 5 Years Recurring Deposit Account from small savers.
• Also, as a motive behind this system was to raise resources for financial development and defence of the country.

After the introduction, the agency has as its primary goal, to canvass for and receive investment in National Savings 5 years Recurring Deposit Account.

The goal of a Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojna (M.P.K.B.Y.) agent is the promotion of recurring Deposit (RD) while liaisoning between District Institutional Finance Offices, post offices, and the investors. Recruiting and managing investors is the primary skill of the agents while complying with all the rules and regulations of the governing agencies.

How to become MPKBY Agent

Let's see who is eligible for applying for the position.

Eligibility

• An individual woman above the age of 18 years can apply for the position.
• Any women organisation involved in Social, Religious, Educational, Recreational, or Charitable work are also eligible for the position.

Anyone fitting these descriptions can apply for the position. Here is the essential documentation that interested parties need to present when seeking consideration.

Required Documentation

• The applying party should have the application form, the agreement form, as well as the nomination form.
• Another requirement is the Pledging of NSC of a minimum of Five hundred rupees.
• Applicants need an affidavit attested by the magistrate or the notary on a stamp paper worth ten rupees.
• Applicants need to produce a two-character certificate and four passport-sized photographs.
• Applicants need to provide a photocopy of their proof of date of birth, and date of birth and ration card.

How to Apply

Application forms needed for the position are available with the District Institutional Finance Office/OIC in each district of the State. After procuring the application form and other documentation mentioned above, applicants can submit all this to the district office. District Collector (DC) is responsible for appointing SAS Agents. In some of the States, BDOs/Tehsildars also designated as appointing authorities under SAS.

The applicant must be adequately educated and must possess an extensive network she can leverage. Agents that are authorised by the appointing authorities get issued ASLAAS- 5 cards by the government. The card has all their information, and the validity of the agency, and is the proof of their authorisation.
The agents are eligible for a four percent commission on deposits made for five year RD scheme.

Public Provident Fund (PPF) Agents

The public provident fund scheme or PPF was introduced by the government in the year 1968, to rationalise small investments by offering reasonable returns. It is a popular scheme amongst investors for its flexible nature, and PPF agents have plenty of people who seek their help regarding their investments.

The role of a Public Provident Fund Agent is to promote the PPF scheme to the best of their ability while acting as a liaison between the post offices, District Institutional Finance Offices, and the investors. PPF agents provide thorough service to the investors and take over all the responsibilities of deposits, and interaction with the post office as well as district institutional finance office for the investors.

Those interested in applying for the position as a PPF agent can find out the commission rates, as well as other benefits from their nearest post offices, SBI branch, or district institutional finance office. 

How to become PPF Agent

For people who are interested in pursuing a career as a PPF agent, there is are basic requirements they must fulfill.

Eligibility

• Any literate adult is eligible for becoming an agent under this system.
• The minimum qualification for the position is the twelfth standard. Anyone who has passed under a 10+2 scheme or Higher secondary or its equivalent is eligible.
• Anyone who has retired from Govt., Semi Govt. Undertaking, Public Sector can apply for the PPF agency.
• Anyone who already has the L.I.C/ G.I.C. agency can have a PPF agency. 
  The applicant must be the resident of the district he/she is applying in and must possess an extensive network he/she can leverage.

Anyone aged seventy five years or higher is not eligible for application.

Anyone applying for the position have to submit a few necessary documents before they get approval as an agent by the appointing authority.

Here are the documents needed for getting consideration as a PPF Agent.

Required Documentation

• The applicants need to present the application form, the agreement form, and the nomination form.
• An affidavit attested by the Magistrate or Notary on a stamp paper worth ten rupees.
• The applicants should have two character certificates, as well as four passport-sized photographs available.
• They must produce a photocopy of the SAS agency.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can procure the application forms with the District Institutional Finance Office/OIC situated in each district of the State. After collecting all the necessary documentation, applicants can submit it to the District Office for consideration.

District Collector (DC) is responsible for appointing SAS Agents. In some of the States, BDOs/Tehsildars also designated as appointing authorities under SAS.

After the applicant becomes the agent of the agency, he/she is gets authorising identification and can begin work at the best of his/her capacity.

There are also other types of Post office agents working at the moment, such as the PLI agents, and so on, which we won't discuss in this article.

Before we conclude the article, however, let's discuss another aspect related to the DoP which you might be interested in; registering as an Outsourcing Agent/Franchise.

What is the Franchise Scheme?

Even though India has the most extensive postal network in the world, the demand for services provided by the agency is ever-growing. Keeping the need for more post offices, especially in newly developing urban agglomerations in mind, India Post has introduced the franchise scheme. Through this scheme, the counter services will be offered as a franchise while the delivery and transmission will continue through the department.

Here's what can be offered by the Franchise Outlet.

• The franchise will facilitate the sale of stamps and stationery.
• The franchise will offer all booking registered articles, speed post articles, money orders.
• It will Function as an agent for Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and provide related after-sales service, including the collection of premiums.
• The franchise outlet will provide retail services like bill/tax/fine collection/payment services of the Department.
• It will also facilitate the provision of e-governance and citizen-centric services.
• The franchise will also offer any other service introduced by the Department in the future.

Registering as an Out Sourcing Agent (OSA)/Franchisee

For starter, you should be registered as an agent or Franchisee with IndiaPost to register yourself in the OSA/Franchisee category on IndiaPost Site. To create your account on the India Post site, here's what you need to do.

• First, click on the Register link, available on the homepage of IndiaPost Site.
• Now, click on the OSA/Franchise category. You'll see the registration page open.
• Here, you need to provide your valid Agent ID and Email ID to link your account.
• After you're done, click Submit and provide your personal details.
• You'll get a hint question, and the answer to that will be used to reset your password in case you forget your password later.
• You can select between subscription options, and decide if you want to avail facilities like NewsLetter and SMS alerts.
• After submitting all the necessary information, you can submit the details to complete the registration process.
• You'll receive a confirmation email with an activation link on your registered email ID for Account Activation.
• By clicking the activation link before 48 hours to activate the account.
• After registration, you can log in to the IndiaPost Site with your User ID and One Time Password(OTP).

Conclusion

DoP India is an extensive network, which is ever-growing and employs a large number of employees as well as freelance agents. The opportunities with the department are many, and as it grows, the opportunities for people trying to become agents with the department also grow.

In the article, we've discussed the requirements one needs to fulfil to become an agent/ franchisee. 
By submitting your documentation to the district office for consideration, you can start the process of becoming an agent. The District Collector or other appointing authority will then determine whether you're ideal for the position or not.

Once you're approved, you can begin your work as an agent.

After starting work as an agent, here are a few things you should keep in mind.

• You should encourage the investors to deposit money only through an account payee cheque drawn in favour of Branch Manager/Post Master of the Bank/Post Office.
• Remember to mention the name of the investor and the name of the security in which investment is to be made in the backside of the cheque.
• Agents are required to deposit investor’s money in the Post Office within (5-10) days from the date of receipt of money from the investor
• Agents need to issue a receipt to the investor duly dated and signed, at the time of receiving money/cheque from the investor
• The agents should return the passbook/certificate to the investor, within 30 days from the date of receipt of money.
• Properly verify the entries in the Pass Book/certificate in accordance with the application form filled in by the investor, duly stamped and signed by the Post Master / Branch Manager, before collecting the Pass Book/certificate from the Post Office / Bank.
• Maintain well- made investor profile to facilitate timely payment.
• Agents should submit concerned papers to the Appointing Authority for renewal of agency well in advance i.e. 45 days before the date of expiry of the agency.
• Agents are encouraged to attend any training/meeting whenever organised by National Savings Institute / Appointing Authority.
• Till the maturity of the investment, agents should preserve the counterfoil of the Authorised Agent’s Receipt Book.

We hope this article was helpful in providing you some guidance regarding your queries. To clear your remaining doubts, you can contact your nearest post office or SBI branch.

Basic Reads For Post Office Agents:

• How to install Post Agent Software?
• How DOP Agent Software for Post Office Agents Works?