Bharat Social Finance Corporation (BSFC)
Effective Date: 01-04-2025
Bharat Social Finance Corporation (BSFC) respects the privacy, confidentiality, and security of all individuals and communities associated with our services. This Privacy Policy explains how BSFC collects, processes, stores, uses, shares, secures, and manages personal and financial information in connection with our microfinance activities, Self Help Group (SHG) programs, rural development initiatives, digital platforms, field operations, customer support services, and financial inclusion activities. This Privacy Policy is intended to comply with applicable Indian laws, financial sector standards, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulatory expectations applicable to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and microfinance institutions, digital data protection obligations, Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, anti-money laundering requirements, and fair practices principles generally followed within the financial services sector.
By accessing BSFC websites, mobile platforms, financial services, digital applications, customer support systems, SHG programs, or by submitting any personal or financial information to BSFC, the user acknowledges and agrees to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
BSFC may collect personal, financial, operational, technical, demographic, and identity-related information required for lawful business purposes, customer onboarding, credit assessment, financial assistance processing, SHG operations, customer relationship management, risk management, fraud prevention, legal compliance, and operational administration. Such information may include the customer’s full name, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email address, residential address, nominee information, bank account details, occupation information, income details, business information, photographs, government-issued identification documents, Aadhaar details where legally permissible, PAN information, voter identification details, and any other information necessary for customer verification or financial assessment purposes.
As a Self Help Group-powered microfinance institution, BSFC may also collect information related to SHG participation, group membership, community enterprise activities, group financial records, repayment performance, livelihood programs, social development initiatives, training participation, and related operational data required for managing group-based financial services responsibly. Information may be collected directly from customers, SHG representatives, field officers, banking partners, authorized service providers, financial databases, credit bureaus, government verification systems, or through lawful operational interactions.
BSFC may additionally collect technical and digital information whenever users interact with our websites, applications, customer portals, or communication systems. Such information may include device identifiers, IP addresses, browser type, operating system details, website interaction data, location information where legally permissible, cookies, analytics information, communication metadata, and transaction-related technical logs. This information helps BSFC improve platform security, customer experience, fraud monitoring, operational efficiency, and service functionality.
The information collected by BSFC is used strictly for lawful and legitimate business purposes. Such purposes include customer identification and KYC verification, processing financial assistance applications, conducting eligibility assessment, evaluating repayment capacity, managing customer relationships, supporting SHG operations, improving customer service, monitoring financial performance, preventing fraud, ensuring operational security, fulfilling legal and regulatory obligations, responding to lawful requests from authorities, maintaining internal records, conducting audits, enforcing contractual rights, managing grievances, improving digital systems, and supporting financial inclusion and rural development initiatives.
BSFC follows applicable Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) requirements in accordance with Indian regulatory expectations and responsible financial practices. Customers applying for financial assistance may be required to submit valid identification, address proof, business details, income information, photographs, bank account details, and supporting documentation necessary for verification and regulatory compliance. BSFC reserves the right to verify submitted information through authorized third-party verification agencies, banking institutions, government systems, or credit information companies wherever legally permitted.
BSFC maintains confidentiality standards regarding customer information and does not sell personal data to unrelated third parties for commercial advertising purposes. However, customer information may be disclosed, transferred, processed, or shared with authorized entities where necessary for operational, legal, financial, regulatory, technical, or compliance purposes. Such entities may include banking partners, regulated NBFCs, payment gateways, insurance providers, field operations teams, technology service providers, collection support agencies, legal consultants, auditors, government authorities, regulators, law enforcement agencies, credit bureaus, or authorized service providers engaged for lawful business activities.
BSFC may report customer repayment history, credit performance, financial obligations, defaults, or related information to authorized credit information companies or financial reporting agencies in accordance with applicable laws and financial industry practices. Customers acknowledge that repayment behavior may impact future credit eligibility and financial assessments conducted by financial institutions or credit agencies.
BSFC implements reasonable administrative, operational, technical, organizational, and digital security measures intended to safeguard personal and financial information against unauthorized access, misuse, disclosure, alteration, destruction, or unlawful processing. Such safeguards may include encryption systems, controlled data access protocols, secure servers, authentication systems, cybersecurity monitoring, fraud detection tools, employee confidentiality obligations, operational security controls, and internal compliance procedures. Despite reasonable security measures, BSFC cannot guarantee that digital systems, communication networks, servers, or electronic transmissions will remain completely immune from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, technical failures, or unlawful activities beyond reasonable operational control.
BSFC websites and digital systems may use cookies, analytics technologies, session identifiers, and similar tracking technologies to improve user experience, monitor platform performance, enhance security, analyze website traffic, personalize services, and support operational functionality. Users may control cookie preferences through browser settings; however, disabling certain technologies may affect the functionality or accessibility of some digital services.
Customers may contact BSFC to request correction or updating of inaccurate personal information maintained in our records, subject to reasonable verification requirements and applicable legal limitations. BSFC may retain personal and financial information for periods considered necessary to comply with regulatory obligations, financial recordkeeping requirements, audit standards, legal proceedings, contractual enforcement, dispute resolution, operational continuity, fraud monitoring, and legitimate business purposes. Certain information may continue to be retained even after termination of customer relationships where required under applicable laws or regulatory expectations.
BSFC services are intended for legally eligible individuals and authorized participants. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors without legally valid authorization, guardian consent, or lawful operational necessity. If BSFC becomes aware of unauthorized collection involving minors, reasonable corrective steps may be taken in accordance with applicable legal standards.
Our websites, applications, or communication systems may contain links to third-party websites, financial partners, government portals, banking institutions, payment systems, or external service providers. BSFC is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security standards, or operational policies of external websites or third-party platforms. Users are encouraged to review independent privacy policies before sharing personal information with external entities.
By submitting contact information or using BSFC services, customers consent to receiving operational communications, service-related notifications, repayment reminders, customer support messages, financial awareness content, account updates, digital alerts, legal notices, and service communications through phone calls, SMS, email, WhatsApp, mobile applications, or other communication channels authorized under applicable law. Such communications may be generated directly by BSFC or through authorized service providers acting on behalf of BSFC for legitimate operational purposes.
Customers are strongly advised not to disclose confidential passwords, OTPs, banking credentials, PINs, or sensitive account information to unauthorized individuals. BSFC representatives will never request confidential passwords or unauthorized payments through unofficial channels for loan approvals or financial services. Customers are encouraged to immediately report suspicious communications, fraud attempts, unauthorized data requests, or security concerns to official BSFC customer support channels.
As a community-oriented and SHG-powered financial institution, BSFC recognizes the importance of ethical handling of group member information, community trust, and responsible financial conduct. SHG leaders, coordinators, field officers, operational staff, and partner representatives associated with BSFC are expected to maintain confidentiality and protect member information in accordance with organizational standards and lawful operational practices.
BSFC reserves the right to amend, revise, update, or modify this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect operational changes, technological developments, legal requirements, regulatory updates, business practices, or service enhancements. Updated versions of this Privacy Policy shall become effective upon publication on official BSFC platforms unless otherwise required by applicable law.
Any disputes arising in relation to this Privacy Policy, use of BSFC services, or data handling practices shall be governed in accordance with the laws of India. Subject to applicable law, courts located within the jurisdiction of BSFC’s registered office shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising under this Privacy Policy.
For privacy-related concerns, data correction requests, customer grievances, legal notices, or policy clarifications, users may contact BSFC through the official support channels provided below:
Bharat Social Finance Corporation (BSFC)
Customer Support & Privacy Department
Email: grievencescare@bsfcindia.org
Support Email: support@bsfcindia.org
Customer Support: 1169268704
Head Office: New Delhi, India
By continuing to access or use BSFC services, websites, digital platforms, SHG programs, financial assistance systems, or customer support channels, the user confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
