* {
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
body {
background: #f5f3f0;
font-family: ‘Segoe UI’, Roboto, ‘Helvetica Neue’, sans-serif;
padding: 2rem 1.5rem;
color: #1e2b3c;
}
.document-wrapper {
max-width: 1200px;
margin: 0 auto;
background: white;
box-shadow: 0 12px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
border-radius: 12px;
padding: 2.5rem 2.8rem;
}
/* — HEADER & TITLE — */
.doc-header {
border-bottom: 4px solid #c9a84c;
padding-bottom: 1.2rem;
margin-bottom: 2.2rem;
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: flex-end;
}
.doc-header h1 {
font-size: 2.1rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: #0b2a4a;
letter-spacing: -0.3px;
line-height: 1.2;
}
.doc-header h1 small {
display: block;
font-size: 0.95rem;
font-weight: 400;
color: #3e5a7a;
margin-top: 0.2rem;
letter-spacing: 0.3px;
}
.header-badge {
background: #0b2a4a;
color: #f5e7c8;
padding: 0.5rem 1.4rem;
border-radius: 40px;
font-weight: 500;
font-size: 0.85rem;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
border-left: 4px solid #c9a84c;
}
/* — INDEX / TOC — */
.index-box {
background: #f0f5fb;
padding: 1.6rem 2rem;
border-radius: 12px;
margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
border-left: 6px solid #c9a84c;
box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(11,42,74,0.04);
}
.index-box h2 {
font-size: 1.2rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: #0b2a4a;
margin-bottom: 0.9rem;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 10px;
}
.index-box h2 span {
background: #c9a84c;
color: #0b2a4a;
font-size: 0.9rem;
padding: 0.1rem 0.9rem;
border-radius: 30px;
font-weight: 600;
}
.index-grid {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: 0.3rem 1.8rem;
list-style: none;
padding: 0;
}
.index-grid li {
font-size: 0.95rem;
line-height: 1.8;
}
.index-grid a {
color: #0b2a4a;
text-decoration: none;
font-weight: 500;
border-bottom: 1.5px solid transparent;
transition: 0.2s;
}
.index-grid a:hover {
border-bottom-color: #c9a84c;
color: #1f4b7a;
}
.index-grid .gold-dot {
display: inline-block;
width: 8px;
height: 8px;
background: #c9a84c;
border-radius: 50%;
margin-right: 6px;
}
/* — SECTIONS — */
.section {
margin-top: 2.8rem;
scroll-margin-top: 1.2rem;
}
.section-title {
font-size: 1.7rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: #0b2a4a;
border-bottom: 3px solid #c9a84c;
padding-bottom: 0.4rem;
margin-bottom: 1.6rem;
display: inline-block;
}
.sub-title {
font-size: 1.25rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: #1a3a5e;
margin: 1.6rem 0 0.8rem 0;
padding-left: 0.5rem;
border-left: 6px solid #c9a84c;
padding-left: 1rem;
}
.sub-title-2 {
font-weight: 600;
color: #1f4b7a;
font-size: 1.05rem;
margin: 1.4rem 0 0.5rem 0;
}
p {
line-height: 1.7;
margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
color: #1e2b3c;
}
/* — LISTS (no
inside
.rule-list {
list-style: none;
padding-left: 0.5rem;
margin: 0.7rem 0 1.2rem 0;
}
.rule-list li {
padding: 0.3rem 0 0.3rem 1.8rem;
position: relative;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.rule-list li::before {
content: “▹”;
color: #c9a84c;
font-weight: bold;
position: absolute;
left: 0.2rem;
}
.rule-list.alpha li::before {
content: “○”;
color: #1f4b7a;
}
/* — TABLES (clean, gold/blue) — */
.table-wrap {
overflow-x: auto;
margin: 1.2rem 0 1.8rem 0;
border-radius: 10px;
border: 1px solid #dce3ed;
}
table {
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
font-size: 0.95rem;
background: white;
}
th {
background: #0b2a4a;
color: #f5e7c8;
font-weight: 600;
padding: 0.9rem 1rem;
text-align: left;
border-right: 1px solid #2a4a6a;
}
th:last-child { border-right: none; }
td {
padding: 0.8rem 1rem;
border-bottom: 1px solid #e5eaef;
vertical-align: top;
}
tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; }
.table-wrap.gold-border {
border-top: 4px solid #c9a84c;
}
.table-wrap.gold-border th {
background: #0b2a4a;
}
.highlight-gold td:first-child {
background: #faf6ec;
font-weight: 500;
}
.commission-table td:first-child {
font-weight: 500;
background: #f8f4ea;
}
/* — NOTE / META — */
.note-box {
background: #f5f9fe;
padding: 0.8rem 1.4rem;
border-radius: 8px;
border-left: 6px solid #c9a84c;
margin: 1.2rem 0;
font-size: 0.95rem;
}
.small-meta {
color: #3d5a78;
font-size: 0.9rem;
border-top: 1px dashed #ccd7e6;
padding-top: 0.7rem;
margin-top: 1.2rem;
}
/* — FOOTER — */
.footer-brand {
margin-top: 3.5rem;
padding-top: 1.8rem;
border-top: 3px double #c9a84c;
text-align: center;
font-size: 1rem;
color: #0b2a4a;
letter-spacing: 0.6px;
font-weight: 500;
}
.footer-brand span {
background: #0b2a4a;
color: #f5e7c8;
padding: 0.3rem 1.8rem;
border-radius: 40px;
font-weight: 400;
font-size: 0.9rem;
display: inline-block;
}
.footer-brand .gold {
color: #c9a84c;
}
/* — RESPONSIVE — */
@media (max-width: 700px) {
.document-wrapper { padding: 1.5rem 1rem; }
.doc-header { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; gap: 0.8rem; }
.doc-header h1 { font-size: 1.6rem; }
.index-grid { flex-direction: column; gap: 0.1rem; }
.index-grid li { width: 100%; }
.section-title { font-size: 1.4rem; }
}
Standardised Agency System Rules Issued vide Ministry of Finance (DEA) O.M. No. F1(53)/NS/57 dated 31.12.1959 & amended
📑 Index navigate
1.1 Introduction
Prior to 1.10.1960 various agency systems were introduced from time to time with an object of creating small savings workers on commission basis to approach various sections of the population in India to invest their savings in Government Securities. On 1.10.1960 various Agency Systems were rationalized by introducing one common agency system both for urban and rural areas. The new agency system is called as “Standardised Agency System”.
1.2 Scope of the Agency
The agency at present is confined to canvass for the sale of Kisan Vikas Patras, National Savings Certificates (VIII-Issue), deposits in Time Deposits Accounts, Monthly Income Savings Accounts and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Accounts. It may be extended to such other small savings securities as may be notified by the Government of India from time to time as being saleable through Authorized Agents.
1.3 Eligibility
a) Adult individuals and EDBPMs will be eligible for appointment as authorized agents. An individual selected for appointment should be a person of substance having wide contacts and sufficiently educated to transact the agency business. Non-gazetted employees of the Central and State Governments are eligible for appointment as Internal Agents only on the recommendation of the head of the office concerned.
b) Persons not eligible: The agency shall not be granted to:
- Employees of the National Savings Institute
- Employees of the Department of Posts
- Central and State Government employees except when appointed as Internal Agents
- Extra Departmental Employees of the Department of Posts other than EDBPMs
- Near relatives of the employees of Departments of Posts and the National Savings Institutes (as defined)
c) Near relatives of officials working in other Departments of the Central or State Government are eligible, provided the Controlling Authority has no objection.
1.4 & 1.5 Application & Appointing Authority
An individual desirous of being appointed as authorized agent will make an application in Form AAS-1. The Appointing Authority will be officers authorized by the State Government (Collector/Deputy Commissioner, Tehsildar, BDO or other gazetted officers).
From 21.11.2002, SAS agents will be appointed by the respective State Governments. They will also renew the agency of existing agents. The Regional Director/Deputy Regional Director, NSI will neither appoint nor renew after this date.
1.6 Security
| Security / Guarantee | Value of receipt books |
|---|---|
| Cash security ₹5,000 or Bank Guarantee / Fidelity Guarantee Policy | ₹1,00,000 + two blank crossed cheque books |
| Cash security ₹2,000 or Fidelity Guarantee Policy with two sureties of ₹2,000 each or one bank surety ₹4,000 | ₹50,000 + two blank crossed cheque books |
| Cash security ₹100 or Fidelity Guarantee Policy or two sureties ₹1,000 each / bank surety ₹2,000 | ₹20,000 + two blank crossed cheque books |
| Cash security ₹100 | ₹5,000 |
| No security (Internal agents / exempted officials) | ₹5,000 + one blank crossed cheque book |
1.7 Agreement
Two types of agreement: for individuals furnishing personal sureties (Form ASS-3) and for all classes of agents who furnish security or for whom no security is prescribed (Form AAS-4). The agreement shall be initially for a period of three years and may be renewed for further periods not exceeding three years at a time.
1.12 Renewal
The agency is valid for three years and can be renewed on completion of this period. The agent should apply for renewal in Form AAS(1A) 45 days prior to expiry. No commission shall be paid on business transacted after expiry if the agency is not renewed. Fresh Certificate of Authority need not be issued; old certificate may be endorsed.
1.19 Field of operation
The Agent is allowed to canvass investment throughout the State in which he is appointed. He can be attached to one or all post offices under the same head post office for effecting transactions, but for receiving receipt books he can be attached to any one sub office or head office.
Internal agents: scope limited to staff of that office and family members. May canvass staff of neighbouring offices under conditions.
1.20 Supply of receipt books
Receipt books supplied by the post office to which agent is attached. Each receipt is machine numbered with counterfoil. Denominations: not above ₹1,000; ₹5,000; ₹10,000. Crossed cheque receipt books without denomination. Total value of receipt books shall not exceed the value specified in Certificate of Authority.
Important Orders on receipt books: Maximum limit of cash receipt books issued to SAS agents is ₹50,000 at a time. The agent can obtain receipt books again on the same day after depositing cash — the idea is that he should not retain cash more than ₹50,000 with him at a time.
1.21 Commission
The agent shall be entitled to commission at rates notified by Government from time to time. Rates admissible as fixed from 1.1.2000 / 2.8.2004 for SCSS (on current schemes) are furnished below:
| Name of securities | Rate of commission |
|---|---|
| 1/2/3/5-year Time Deposits | 1% |
| Monthly Income Account Scheme | 1% |
| Kisan Vikas Patras | 1% |
| 6-Year National Savings Certificates (VIII-issue) | 1% |
| Senior Citizens Savings Scheme | 0.5% |
1.22 Investment on which commission is not payable: Provident/Superannuation/Gratuity funds, co-operative society funds, court funds, funds in control of Government Officers, investments made by Institutions/Trusts/Companies, etc., and holdings invested in excess of prescribed limit.
1.24 Termination of Agency
When an agency is terminated or an agent dies, the Appointing Authority sends intimation by registered post to the post office. The agent shall deposit un-deposited investment money and return partially used/unused receipt books. Used receipt books (agent’s copies) need not be obtained.
24A. Misappropriation: Appointing Authority to take suo moto prompt action, ascertain extent, realize losses from agent/sureties.
24B. SAS/MPKBY/PPF agents cannot act as agent or messenger for withdrawal of money.
1.28 Transfer of agents from one place to another
| Type of transfer | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Transfer to a place outside the state | Fresh agreement with Appointing Authority of new State |
| Transfer from one Tehsil to another (same HPO, different AA) | Continue without change; register new address with AA and DSO |
| Transfer outside HPO jurisdiction but within same AA | Transfer name from rolls of previous HPO to new HPO on advice from AA |
| Transfer involving change of both AA and HPO (same State) | AA sends advice to new HPO/AA; agreement remains with original authority; entry made in register |
Part II · Important Orders
No official of Central/State/UT Government shall be appointed as agent under SAS except as Internal Agent. Near relatives of officials working in Department of Posts and National Savings Organisation are barred from appointment. A new declaration in Form AAS-1 to be included: “I am not employed under the Central or State/Union Territory Government” and declaration regarding near relatives.
Extra-Departmental employees of Department of Posts (other than EDBPMs) are not eligible. Where such employees have been appointed, their agency must be terminated immediately. EDBPMs are an exempted category.
Hereafter near relatives of employees of Department of Posts and NSI are not eligible for appointment or renewal under SAS, MPKBY and PPF Agency Scheme. Existing agents who are near relatives may be reviewed and agency terminated. The ban does not apply to near relatives of employees of Department of Telecommunications (since bifurcation).
For agents where gross commission does not exceed ₹60,000 during the year, an ad-hoc deduction of 50% of gross receipt is allowed (CBDT Circular). If commission exceeds ₹60,000, actual expenditure may be allowed by Assessing Officer.
Agents are allowed to nominate person(s) to receive commission due in the event of death. Schedule ‘B’ added to the Agreement. The nomination form shall be in triplicate; one copy sent to concerned Head/Sub Post Office.
There is no bar in appointing relatives of EDBPM as agents under SAS. For MPKBY, since it is specifically for women, relatives cannot be appointed.
Ministry of Finance directed to stop appointment and renewal of agency under SAS and MPKBY by Regional Directors with immediate effect (w.e.f. 15.11.2002). Existing agents to approach concerned Appointing Authorities. PPF agency system continues with NSO till further orders.
Commission admissible to deceased agent may be paid to heir(s) after establishing claim. Nomination facility available as per Schedule B.
Head Postmasters to send list of authorised agents drawing commission of ₹5,000 and above during the financial year to the concerned Income Tax Commissioners.