Key Points
- The Department of Posts (DoP) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to sell BSNL SIM cards and recharge services through India Post’s network.
- Over 1.65 lakh post offices across India will now act as Points of Sale (PoS) for BSNL, drastically increasing its last-mile reach, especially in rural and remote areas.
- The partnership follows a successful pilot project in Assam, which demonstrated the model’s viability for a nationwide rollout.
- BSNL will provide SIM card stock and training, while the DoP will handle customer onboarding and secure transactions.
- The one-year agreement, signed on September 17, 2025, aims to advance the goals of Digital India, financial inclusion, and make telecom services more accessible and affordable.
New Delhi: In a landmark public sector collaboration, the Department of Posts and state-owned telecom company BSNL have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will transform India’s vast postal network into a sales and service channel for BSNL’s mobile services. The agreement, signed in New Delhi on September 17, 2025, will make BSNL SIM cards and recharge services available at over 1.65 lakh post offices across the country.
This initiative aims to leverage India Post’s unparalleled last-mile reach to bridge the digital divide, making BSNL’s telecom services more accessible and affordable for citizens, particularly in the remotest parts of the country. The move is a significant step towards achieving the broader goals of Digital India, financial inclusion, and socio-economic development.
National Rollout After Assam Pilot Success
The decision for a nationwide rollout follows the remarkable success of a proof-of-concept pilot project implemented in Assam. The pilot demonstrated the model’s scalability and its potential to effectively expand BSNL’s presence in both urban and rural geographies.
Under the terms of the MoU, which is initially valid for one year, BSNL will be responsible for providing SIM stock and technical training to postal employees. The Department of Posts will manage customer onboarding and facilitate secure transactions, acting as official Points of Sale (PoS) for BSNL.
A Synergy for Citizen-Centric Services
Officials from both organizations have hailed the partnership as a new benchmark in public sector synergy. Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager (Citizen-Centric Services & RB) at the Department of Posts, stated that the collaboration “combines the trusted reach of India Post with the telecom expertise of BSNL to deliver affordable and accessible connectivity to every citizen”.
Deepak Garg, Principal General Manager at BSNL, added that the partnership will ensure BSNL services are available “at every nook and corner of the country”. The initiative complements BSNL’s recent deployment of its “Make-in-India” 4G mobile network, furthering the vision of a self-reliant and digitally empowered India.
