Page 3 - Irdai

Life insurers firms plan to approach regulator for relief after ITC removal

This comes after the industry passed the entire benefit of lower GST rates to policyholders to increase affordability

Irdai Chairman Ajay Seth launches Bima Sugam India Federation website

Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (Irdai) chairman Ajay Seth on Wednesday launched the official website of Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF). The launch marks the first visible step in building India's pioneering Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for insurance, aligned with the national vision of 'Insurance for All by 2047' and the Prime Minister's mission of Viksit Bharat 2047, a statement said. Seth said Bima Sugam represents a critical step towards creating India's Digital Public Infrastructure for insurance, and this initiative will empower policyholders, deepen insurance penetration, and ensure transparency and fairness across the value chain. "The launch of the website today is an important milestone, and I am confident that with collective industry commitment, the vision of 'Insurance for All by 2047' as part of the Prime Minister's mission of Viksit Bharat 2047 will become a reality," he said. The website was launched in the presence of industry CEOs,

Insurance executives knock on FinMin door for input tax credit fix

The insurance chiefs in a letter submitted to the finance ministry officials on Friday sought for implementation of the new GST rates on a prospective basis, while allowing for ITC on renewal premiums

Best of BS Opinion: India's new-age economy gets a data reset

Today's Opinion pieces explore a new data framework, the Bima Sugam initiative, the real impact of the GST rate cuts, and what the startup ecosystem really needs

Bima Sugam can deepen insurance penetration, but must be fair, transparent

Bima Sugam aims to transform insurance with a digital one-stop platform for buying, managing, and claiming policies, targeting "Insurance for All by 2047

Bima Sugam to roll out in phases for insurers, intermediaries, customers

Bima Sugam India Federation said the digital insurance marketplace will launch in phases this year with pilot insurer integrations and gradual customer onboarding

New Irdai chairman Ajay Seth urges insurers to innovate using DPI framework

Ajay Seth, the new Irdai chairman, has urged insurers to experiment and innovate using digital public infrastructure rails to drive affordable and tailored insurance products

Former DEA secy Ajay Seth takes charge as Irdai chairman for 3-year tenure

Ajay Seth, a 1987-batch IAS officer and former DEA secretary, has taken charge as chairman of Irdai nearly a month after his appointment for a three-year tenure by the government

Irdai asks insurers to complete QIS 2 under RBC framework by October 15

Irdai has directed insurers to conduct the Second Quantitative Impact Study using March 31, 2025 data and submit results under the Risk Based Capital framework by October 15

Irdai imposes ₹5 crore penalty on Policybazaar for violating norms

Upon examining a selection of 67 insurance policies, IRDAI found that premiums were remitted with delays exceeding 30 days

Policybazaar fined ₹5 crore by Irdai for violations of insurance norms

Regulator Irdai has imposed a Rs 5 crore penalty on Policybazaar Insurance Brokers for certain lapses and also cautioned against violating insurance norms. Policybazaar Insurance Brokers was earlier known as Policybazaar Web Aggregator. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has also issued direction, advisory and caution to the company, according an official statement. The regulator said a penalty of Rs 5 crore has been impose on M/s Policybazaar Web Aggregator Pvt Ltd (now known as 'M/s Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Pvt Ltd') along with direction, advisory and caution for various violations" established under Insurance Act, 1938 and Rules and Regulations. Policybazaar was founded in 2008 and has sold over 42 million policies since inception.

Meeting motor TP obligation tough due to IRDAI formula: Shriram General MD

Shriram General Insurance sees industry-wide difficulty in achieving IRDAI's motor third-party coverage targets and plans premium growth via non-motor insurance push

Irdai sets higher targets for rural, social, and motor TP coverage in FY27

Irdai raises insurance coverage targets for rural, social, and motor TP obligations in FY27. Insurers must cover more Gram Panchayats and increase motor vehicle insurance

Centre appoints Anuradha Thakur as director on central board of RBI

The move comes a day after Seth was named chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai)

Irdai fines Star Health Insurance ₹3.39 cr for cybersecurity lapses

Regulator Irdai on Friday said it has imposed a Rs 3.39 crore penalty on Star Health and Allied Insurance for various violations of Information & Cyber Security Guidelines. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irdai) has also issued a warning to the insurer. "Irdai...has imposed a penalty of Rs Three Crore Thirty-Nine Lakhs and a warning for various violations established under Irdai Information & Cyber Security Guidelines, 2023," the regulator said in its order on Star Health and Allied Insurance. Star Health Insurance has a strong multi-channel distribution network, with 913 offices, over 14,000 network hospitals, more than 7,75,000 licensed agents, and 17,000 employees. In 2024-25, Star Health's gross written premium stood at Rs 17,553 crore, with its net worth at Rs 8,668 crore.

New IRDAI chairman, private banks' retail loan growth, hiring at major commercial banks & more

The Centre has appointed Ajay Seth, recently retired finance secretary, as the new chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, 4 months after the position was left vacant.

Former Finance Secretary Ajay Seth appointed as new Irdai chairman

Ajay Seth, former finance secretary and G20 finance track lead, appointed as Irdai chairman for three years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier

Stabilising sector: Task cut out for new Irdai chairman Ajay Seth

With major reforms underway and growth tapering, Seth's key challenge will be to stabilise the insurance sector and steer regulatory transitions

Irdai proposes internal ombudsman to address claims up to ₹50 lakh

The ombudsman will apply to insurers with over three years of operations, be empowered to handle claims up to Rs 50 lakh, and offer time-bound grievance redressal

Irdai may curb Kiwi Insurance's retail health plans over promoter links

Insurance sector regulator Irdai may restrict Kiwi General Insurance from offering retail health products to avoid direct overlap, as the promoter of the non-life firm, WestBridge Capital, also holds a majority stake in leading standalone health insurer Star Health and Allied Insurance, sources said. Under existing regulations the same promoter cannot hold stake in two similar nature insurance firms. With about 60 per cent stake in Kiwi General Insurance, WestBridge now effectively holds a significant stake in companies that will both operate in the retail health insurance segment. It currently holds about 40 per cent stake in Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd, as per information available on the BSE. However, public sector banks have got regulatory forbearance from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) following the consolidation exercise undertaken in 2020. "This is the first time in the industry that the regulator is faced with a scenario whe