PA Exam Materials - Examination point of view - 15

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FAQs on India Post Services:
• India Post website managed by TCS, content by DoP.
• Core Banking Solution (CBS) is part of the IT Modernisation project.
• Project Arrow aims to make a tangible difference in postal operations.
• DARPAN is an IT modernization project launched in 2017.
• Premium postal products include Aadhaar Updation, Passport Seva Kendras, Gangajal Services, Holy Blessings, India Post PRS.
• India has the largest postal network globally.
• Secretary Posts is the highest post.
• Hikkim (Himachal Pradesh) is the highest post office in India and the world.
• PIN code system introduced on 15 August 1972 by Shriram Bhikaji Velankar.
• Benefits of IT Modernization: Wider reach, better customer service, new business lines, IT enablement of processes, financial inclusion, faster/transparent/reliable services, multiple access channels, improved delivery of Govt. schemes, cost reduction, new products/services, better decision making.

Introductory Presentation on India Post 2012 Program:
• IT Modernization Project involves business process reengineering.
• Aims for IT-enabled integrated processes for operational efficiencies.
Post office acronyms & abbreviations:
• Helpful for postal exams.

IT Modernization Project Overview:
• Approved in November 2012 by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
• Total outlay of ₹4909 Crore.
• Aims to transform operational efficiency and improve service delivery through upgraded technology and connectivity.

Key Objectives of the Project:
• Modernization and computerization of all Post Offices in the country.
• Establishment of IT infrastructure (Data Centre, Disaster Recovery Centre) and WAN-based networking for departmental post offices, mail offices, and administrative units.
• Development of software applications for all operations: Counter, Mail, Postal Banking, Insurance, Finance, and HR.
• Development of Rural Information Communication Technology (RICT) solution for 130,000 Rural Branch Post Offices (hardware and networking).

Key Benefits to Customers (upon completion):
• Improved customer satisfaction due to faster and more reliable services in mails, banking, insurance, and money remittances/transfers.
• Transparency in financial services through Core Banking (CBS) and Core Insurance Solutions (CIS).
• Multiple access channels: Post Office counters, internet, mobiles, call centers, and ATMs.
• Better financial inclusion for rural and semi-urban populations via mobile remittances, mobile banking, mobile insurance, etc.

8 Segments (Silos) of the IT Modernization Project:
1. Change Management (CM):
o Vendor: TCS.
o Role: Capacity building and training of all employees (completed in 2015).
o Training provided in Work Place Computer Training Centres (WPCTCs).
2. Data Centre Facility (DCF):
o Vendor: Reliance.
o Role: 
 Maintenance of Primary Data Center at Navi Mumbai (started 03-04-2013).
 Maintenance of Data Recovery Centre (DRC) at PTC, Mysuru (started 15-05-2015).
 Primary DC houses the Network Operating Centre (NOC) managed by NI.
3. Financial System Integrator (FSI):
o Vendor: Infosys.
o Role: 
 Maintenance of Core Banking Solution (CBS): 23,872 offices rolled out as of 31-12-2019.
 Core Insurance Solution (CIS): 25,573 offices rolled out as of 31-12-2019.
 ECMS implementation in all Post Offices.
 Rolled out 1000 ATMs as of 01-04-2020.
 Provides multiple delivery channels: Internet, IVR, Mobile, ATM & SMS.
 Cash management and PLI content loading in ATMs by AGS.
4. Core System Integrator (CSI):
o Vendor: TCS.
o Role: 
 Implementation of solutions for POS, Daily Account, Call Center, Help Desk, HR (Employee portal), F&A, Mail (DPMS & IPVS), Logistics, Business Process Management & Workflow.   
 Rolled out in 513 Divisions (501 Postal & RMS Divisions + 12) as of 31-12-2019.
 Integrates all System Integrators (SIs) and connects various postal functions.
5. Rural Hardware (RH):
o Vendor: TCIL (initially), operated by RICOH (now MINOSHA India Pvt Ltd).
o Role: Hardware and Network provision to Branch Offices (BOs).
o Includes Hand Held (HH) Device, Smart Card Reader, Solar panel, Battery with Backup, Thermal Printer, Biometric Reader, SIM Card, Charger.   
o 5% buffer stock at Divisional levels for immediate replacements.
o 1,29,080 BOs rolled out into DARPAN.
6. Rural System Integrator (RSI):
o Vendor: Infosys.
o Role: BO software application for rural devices (MGNREGA, POSB, eMO maintenance).
7. Network Integrator (NI):
o Vendor: Sify.
o Role: Providing connectivity for each Departmental Post Office location through a single Wide Area Network (WAN) and connection to the Data Centre.
o 27,431 offices rolled out as of 31-12-2019.
o Uses HP Routers, Juniper Switches, and Team Link Modems.
8. Mail Operations Hardware (MoH):
o Vendor: DGS&D.
o Role: Provision of hardware (computers, UPS, barcode scanners, weighing scales, tag printers, printers, etc.) to Mail offices (RMS) and handheld devices (smartphones) to postman staff in post offices.
Oversight:
• National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) Executives & Circle Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) and Circle Monitoring Committee (CMC) oversee major projects like CBS, CSI, DARPAN.

Other Relevant Information:
• India Post Help Centre: "1924".
• e-commerce portal for commemorative stamps opened on 9th October 2017.
• Project Arrow (2008) focused on improving the "look and feel".
• e-IPO launched on 9th Oct 2017 for denominations 10, 20, 50 & 100.
• ATMs are interoperable with Banks w.e.f. 30-12-2016.
• Intra-operable Internet Banking w.e.f. 14-12-2018.
• Mobile Banking w.e.f. 15-10-2019.   
• General India Post Toll-free Number: "1800 266 6868".
• Toll-free number for ATM/debit card, mobile/internet/SMS banking grievances: "1800 425 2440".