The government is planning to introduce a Bill in Parliament this week to raise foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 per cent with a view of providing insurance to all by 2047.
The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025, seeks to amend the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999, according to the Bill circulated to MPs ahead of its introduction in Parliament. The amendment will raise the Foreign Direct Investment limit in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent, it said.
Despite the Bill to hike FDI in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, one of the top officials — Chairman, Managing Director or CEO — must be an Indian citizen. It also paves the way for the merger of a non-insurance company with an insurance company.
The Bill received the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. The Bill further aims to accelerate the growth and development of the insurance sector and ensure better protection of policyholders, as per the statement of objects and reasons. It provides for the establishment of the Policyholders' Education and Protection Fund to protect policyholders' interests.
It would also improve the ease of doing business for insurance companies, intermediaries and other stakeholders, bring transparency to regulation-making and enhance regulatory oversight, it said. With regard to the term of office of the chairperson and other whole-time members, the Bill provides for a five-year term or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, it said. At present, the upper age limit for whole-time members is 62 years, while for the Chairman, it is 65 years.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in this year's Budget speech, proposed to raise the foreign investment limit to 100 per cent from the existing 74 per cent in the insurance sector as part of new-generation financial sector reforms. So far, the insurance sector has attracted Rs 82,000 crore through FDI.
The amendments to the LIC Act propose empowering its board to take operational decisions, such as branch expansion and recruitment. The proposed amendment primarily focuses on promoting policyholders' interests, enhancing their financial security and facilitating the entry of additional players into the insurance market, thereby driving economic growth and employment generation.
Also read: Insurance Bill for 100 pc FDI listed for winter session
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