PM launches India Post Payments Bank - a major initiative towards financial inclusion

Prime Minister's Office

PM launches India Post Payments Bank - a major initiative towards financial inclusion

01 SEP 2018

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today launched the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. The function was witnessed at over 3000 locations across the country, which were connected to the main event in Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that through the India Post Payments Bank, banking services will conveniently reach the remotest places in the country, and the people living there.

He recalled that the Union Government had earlier rolled out the Jan Dhan Yojana to establish financial inclusion. He said that today’s launch of IPPB is one more step to achieve this objective. He said IPPB branches have opened across 650 districts today.

The Prime Minister said that the postman has long been a respected and accepted person in the villages. He said the trust on the postman remains, despite the advent of modern technology. He said that the Government’s approach is to reform existing frameworks and structures, and hence, transform them in accordance with the changing times. He said that there are over 1.5 lakh post offices and over three lakh postmen or "grameen dak sevaks" who are connected to the people of the country. Now they shall be empowered with smartphones and digital devices to provide financial services.

Enumerating the benefits of IPPB, he said it will enable money transfer, transfer of government benefits, bill payments and other services such as investment and insurance. He added that postmen would deliver these services at the doorstep. He said that IPPB will also facilitate digital transactions, and help deliver the benefits of schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which provide assistance to farmers.

The Prime Minister said that since 2014, the Union Government has been dealing firmly with the distortions and problems that had arisen in India's banking sector due to indiscriminate loan advances. He said existing loans have been reviewed and a professional approach has been taken with regard to the banking sector. He mentioned other measures such as the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which have been taken to ensure that the guilty are punished.

The Prime Minister said that now Mudra loans worth over 13 lakh crore rupees have been given to the poor and middle class, for creating self-employment opportunities. He said that today, as India achieves its best ever Asian Games performance, and the economy shows excellent growth numbers, the entire country is full of new self-confidence. He said this is the result of the collective efforts of the people. He said today India is not just the fastest growing economy in the world, but also the country that is eradicating poverty the fastest.

The Prime Minister said that 3 lakh "dak sevaks" would be the key to provide financial services to every home, every farmer and every small enterprise in the villages. He mentioned that in recent months, several steps have been taken for the welfare of "dak sevaks" and to meet their long pending demand. These have led to a substantial increase in their salary, he added. He expressed confidence that IPPB shall reach over 1.5 lakh post offices across the country within the next few months.

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PM to launch India Post Payments Bank on Saturday, 1st September

Prime Minister's Office

PM to launch India Post Payments Bank on Saturday, 1st September

31 AUG 2018

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will launch the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on September 1st, 2018.

 

IPPB has been envisioned as an accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man, to help speedily achieve the financial inclusion objectives of the Union Government. It will leverage the vast network of the Department of Posts, which covers every corner of the country with more than 300,000 Postmen and Grameen Dak Sewaks. IPPB will hence significantly augment the reach of the banking sector in India.

The launch of IPPB marks another significant milestone in the Union Government’s endeavour to take the benefits of a rapidly developing India to the remotest corners of our country.

On the day of the launch, IPPB will have 650 Branches and 3250 Access Points spread across the country. Simultaneous launch events will be held at these branches and access points.

All the 1.55 lakh Post Offices in the country will be linked to the IPPB system by December 31, 2018.

IPPB will offer a range of products such as savings and current accounts, money transfer, direct benefit transfers, bill and utility payments, and enterprise and merchant payments. These products, and related services, will be offered across multiple channels (counter services, micro-ATM, mobile banking app, SMS and IVR), using the bank’s state-of-the-art technology platform.

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Cabinet approves Revised Cost Estimate for setting up of India Post Payments Bank

Cabinet
Cabinet approves Revised Cost Estimate for setting up of India Post Payments Bank
Boost to Banking Services at Post Offices across the country

29 AUG 2018

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for revision of the project outlay for setting up of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) from Rs. 800 crore to Rs. 1,435 crore. The additional sum of Rs. 635 crore in the revised cost estimates is on account of Rs 400 crore for Technology Costs and Rs 235 crore for Human Resource Costs.

Details:

• IPPB services shall be available at 650 IPPB branches and 3250 Access Points from 1st September 2018 and in all 1.55 lakh post offices (Access Points) by December 2018.
• The project will generate new employment opportunity for about 3500 skilled banking professionals and other entities engaged in propagating financial literacy across the country.
• The objective of the project is to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man; spearhead the financial inclusion agenda by removing the barriers for the unbanked and reduce the opportunity cost for the under banked populace through assisted doorstep banking.
• The project will supplement Government's vision of "less cash" economy and at the same time promote both economic growth and financial inclusion.
• The robust IT architecture of IPPB has been built taking into consideration bank grade performance, fraud and risk mitigation standards and in line with the best practices from payments & banking domain

IPPB services:
The IPPB will provide bouquet of payments/financial services through its technology enabled solutions which will be distributed by the Department of Posts (DoP) employees/last mile agents transforming them from mail deliverer to harbinger of financial services.
The IPPB shall pay incentive/commission to the last mile agents ( Postal Staff and Gramin Dak Sewaks) directly in their accounts for providing IPPB services so as to motivate them to promote IPP8 digital services to the customers.

A part of commission to be paid by IPPB to Department of Posts will be used for increasing the wherewithal of Post office.

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FAQs on deputation of DoP staff to India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)

FAQs on deputation of DoP staff to India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
Sl.No.	Frequently Asked Question	Response/Clarification
1.	What is IPPB ? What are its Objectives? How it will operate?	(i) India Post Payments Bank Limited ("IPPB") was incorporated as a company on August 17, 2016 under The Companies Act, 2013, with 100% equity from the Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications, Govt. Of India and as a payments banking company under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.(ii) IPPB is visualized as a vehicle of financial inclusion that would complement the existing banking, financial services and payments network in the country to improve overall efficiency, accessibility and convenience in delivery of banking services including Direct Benefits Transfer and social security payments. IPPB, as an organization, is designed to leverage the field network of the Department of Posts and is required to carry out its sales and operations through the workforce of the DoP. IPPB will be responsible for designing the products and services, defining the technology and service delivery platforms, undertaking marketing and third-party tie-ups, setting and monitoring the service quality standards, handling customer grievances, managing the risks of the banking operations, and dealing with statutory and regulatory compliances, etc.
2.	Why IPPB is looking for positions on deputation/ foreign service/ engagement for DoP?	Requirement of positions on deputation/ Foreign Service from DoP to IPPB is based on IPPB’s business requirements, as success of IPPB hinges significantly on its ability to leverage field-level resources of DoP. In this context, it is imperative, especially in the initial stages, that the persons who are acting on behalf of IPPB at the field level, have a strong understanding of DoP as an organization.
3.	Which authority has approved the policy of deputation?	Board of Directors of IPPB approved the policy of deputation of regular employees from DoP to IPPB, which is also agreed by Postal Services Board.
4.	What is the period of deputation? What is the job profile of posts offered ? What are the employment terms and conditions / service rules?	Details are available in the Notification released by IPPB.
5.	Will there be any relaxation provided in the eligibility criteria?	No relaxation will be provided in the eligibility criteria on age, experience and education. Kindly ensure that you fill the correct information. In case, any incorrect information is provided, your application is liable to be cancelled.
6.	Can any details of submitted application be modified/ removed/ added	No. Any changes to the application cannot be made after submission of the application.
7.	Whether ASPs can apply for Scale- II ?	All regularly appointed ASPs, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria can apply for scale –II position.
8.	Whether all PAs will be eligible for deputation?	All regular PAs who fulfill the eligibility criteria can apply for scale-I position, irrespective of their present place of posting .
9.	Whether officials working in LSG /HSG- II /HSG-I/ Post Master cadre can apply for deputation?	All LSG PAs/ HSG-II/Postmaster cadre officials who fulfill eligibility criteria can apply for Scale I.
10.	Is the experience of CBS/Sanchay Post mandatory to apply for Scale I?	As per Section C of notification at least two years hands on experience is mandatory in POSB CBS/ Sanchay Post operations.
11.	Whether all GDS will be eligible for deputation?	All regularly appointed GDS candidates meeting eligibility criteria will be eligible.
12.	Whether DoP official working in deputation in IPPB is allowed to appear in DoP departmental exams for promotion?	Yes, subject to fulfilment of eligibility criteria of that particular exam.
13.	Whether reservation is applicable in the selection?	Being the deputation posts, rules of reservation are not applicable.
14.	Will any model question papers be made available?	To be notified in due course of time.
15.	Where can I download the Admit card for the examination	Admit card can be downloaded after the date of examination is announced from www.indiapost.gov.in
16.	When will the results be available for the exams	Results will be published on www.indiapost.gov.in in due course of time.

Note: The Last date for registration of application has been extended to 15.01.2018

Sd/-

Abhishek Jain
ADG (PBI)
Dated 05.01.2018
Source: India Post

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More than 2 dozen companies want collaboration with India Post Payments Bank-Manoj Sinha

More than 2 dozen companies want collaboration with India Post Payments Bank-Manoj Sinha

Government has said that there are many companies who have approached the Department of Posts for collaboration with India Post Payments Bank. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha said that while the Department is in various stages of discussions with them, decision on formal partnerships will be taken after carefully evaluating the entire value proposition that they propose for the common man. The India Post Payments Bank had launched its two branches in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) on 30/01/2017 with basic products and banking services in partnership with Punjab National Bank.

Shri Sinha also said that the Payments Banks are different from regular Banks in the following fundamental ways as per RBI guidelines for Licensing of Payments Banks:

(i) Payment Banks are not allowed to undertake lending activities directly. It can accept demand deposits only that is savings and current accounts and will initially be restricted to holding a maximum balance of Rs. 100,000(Rupees one lakh only) per individual customer.

(ii) Payment Banks cannot accept Non Resident Indian (NRI) deposits.

(iii) The Payment Banks cannot set up subsidiaries to undertake non banking financial services activities.
A list of companies interested in partnering with India Post Payments Bank is attached at Annexure A.

List companies keen to partner with India Post Payments Bank.
1	YES Bank
2	Union Bank
3	Punjab National Bank
4	IDBI Bank (Industrial Development Bank of India)
5	SBI (State Bank of India)
6	Axis
7	Bank of Baroda
8	IDFC Bank (Industrial development finance company)
9	Deutshe Bank
10	Barclays Bank
11	Citibank
12	NABARD (National Bank For Agriculture & Rural Development)
13	HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation)
14	MICRO SAVE
15	Allahabad Bank
16	Indian Overseas Bank
17	Dena Bank
18	FIA (Financial Inclusion)
19	Kotak Mahindra Bank
20	United Bank of India
21	HDFC Life (Housing Development Finance Corporation)
22	Royal Sundaram
23	PNB Metlife (Punjab National Bank)
24	ICICI Lombard ( Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India Bank)
25	ICICI Prudential ( Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India Bank)
26	Bajaj Allianz Life

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India Post Payments Bank will be a game changer for financial inclusion - Manoj Sinha

Press Information Bureau,
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

30-January, 2017 18:27 IST

India Post Payments Bank will be a game changer for financial inclusion - Manoj Sinha
IPPB branches launched in Ranchi & Raipur

Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley and Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha launched the operations of the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) here today as two pilot branches at Raipur and Ranchi through video conferencing from Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jaitley said that about 650 IPPB branches will be opened by September this year and that will have a multiplier impact as far as banking in India is concerned. He said with IPPB, banking at the doorstep will no longer remain a mere slogan, but will become a reality due to huge postal network in the country. He said that financial Inclusion is critical for the socio-economic development of the country, but there are significant gaps in this area and a large proportion of country’s population remain unbanked or underbanked. IPPB will effectively leverage the ubiquitous post office network with its pan-India physical presence, long experience in cash handling and savings mobilization, backed by the ongoing project of IT-enablement, to bridge this gap in Financial Inclusion.

In his address, Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha has commended the hard work done by the Department of Posts in setting up the India Post Payments Bank and hoped that both organizations will work in tandem to take the benefits of government schemes and financial services that are not easily available in rural areas to customers across the country and to the marginalized population in urban and rural areas alike. He said, the objective of IPPB will be public service rather than promoting commercial interests.

Secretary, Department of Posts, Shri B.V.Sudhakar said that the IPPB is widely expected to be a game changer for financial inclusion in the country as the USP of this initiative is doorstep banking, particularly in the rural areas.

As mandated by the RBI, the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) would focus on providing basic financial services such as all kinds of payments; including social security payments, utility bill payments, person to person remittances (both domestic and cross-border), current and savings accounts up to a balance of Rs 1 lac, distribution of insurance, mutual funds, pension products and acting as business correspondent to other banks for credit products especially in rural areas and among the underserved segments of the society.

Set up us a 100% Government of India owned Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts, it will open around 650 branches in district HQ locations. All 1.55 lacs post offices including the 1.39 lac of the rural post offices will be mapped to the IPPB branch at the district headquarter and function as access points for IPPB. IPPB will usher in state of the art internet and mobile banking platforms, digital wallets and use innovative and emerging technologies to catalyse the shift from a cash dominant to a less cash economy.

While many other banks and financial institutions are working on the same theme, the USP of IPPB will be its ability to ease access and handhold the adoption of new age banking and payments instruments among citizen of all walks of life through the delivery by postmen and Grameen Dak sevaks, savings agents and other franchisees who will take banking to door steps. IPPB thus aspires to the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man with the motto - "No customer is too small, no transaction too insignificant, and no deposit too little".

Given 'in principle' approval by the RBI along with 10 other aspirants on 19th Aug 2015, IPPB received the cabinet’s approval on 1st June, 2016 and was incorporated as on 17th Sept, 2106. Today it became the second payments bank to launch its operations. Having got its final banking license from the RBI on the 20th Jan 2017 it has commenced operations in record time of 10 days in partnership with the Punjab National Bank, after obtaining all necessary approvals and registrations from the RBI, NPCI etc.

A commemorative stamp and a logo of the new bank were also launched on the occasion.

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India Post launches logo and tagline design contest for IPPB on MyGov

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

10-June-2016 14:41 IST

India Post launches logo and tagline design contest for IPPB on MyGov

The Department of Posts on 10.6.16 launched a logo and tagline design contest for the soon to be set up India Post Payments Bank on the MyGov website. The Cabinet has on 1st June 2016, given its nod to the setting up of the IPPB under the Department of Posts to further financial inclusion in the country.

Department of Post wants to connect with and involve the people of India in designing the DNA of the India Post Payments Bank. One of the guiding principles of the India Post Payments Bank would be cocreating value propositions and products with its customers and other stakeholders. The present contest is the first step towards this ongoing engagement. It has also initiated a nationwide survey to understand the needs of different segments of customers.

Reward: The contest is open to all Indian citizens, institutions, agencies and entities for a period of one month, until 9th July 2016. The best entry will be awarded Rs 50,000/. A panel of eminent designers/ experts will help shortlist 20 best entries which will thereafter be put up for voting on the MyGov platform for the final selection of the winner.

About the India Post Payments Bank
The India Post Payments Bank will offer digitally enabled payments, banking and remittance services of all kinds between entities and individuals and also provide access to insurance, mutual funds, pension and credit products in partnership with third party financial service providers and Banks. It is poised to emerge as the main vehicle of financial inclusion in the country by bringing the physical reach of 1.55 lakh post offices and a modern payments platform powered by ubiquitous information and communication technologies together to create a national payments architecture that can be accessed by all users like never before. The stakeholders of the India Post Payments Bank within the Government and outside are looking at this new entity as a catalyst to social and financial inclusion. The roll out of the IPPB is to be completed by September 2017.

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