India, April 23 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Key Takeways
Insurance penetration is defined as gross premiums written for direct life and non-life insurance business as a percentage of GDP.
The two main types of Insurance:
Growth of Insurance Premium
FY 2020-21
FY 2024-25
Growth
Total Premium Income
8.30
11.90
43.37 %
Life insurance premiums
6.30
8.86
40.63%
Non-Life insurance premiums
2.02
3.10
53.46%
An insurance premium is the amount paid by an individual or business to obtain an insurance policy. The premium varies across policyholders, as it is determined by several influencing factors, such as age, area of residence, nature of employment, medical ailment, income and others.
To strengthen the insurance ecosystem and enhance protection for policyholders, the Government has undertaken a series of legislative and regulatory reforms. These measures aim to improve insurance affordability, expand coverage, promote ease of doing business, and strengthen consumer safeguards across the sector.
GST Exemption
Key Regulatory Reforms in Health Insurance
Accidental Insurance - Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
Health Insurance - Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
Social Security - Employees' State Insurance Scheme (ESI)
Crop Insurance - Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Insurance density is the ratio of premiums to population (per capita premium).
(In Rs.lakh crore)
Life Insurance - Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
Sabka Bima, Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025
Introduction
A robust economy requires strong risk-protection systems, and insurance serves as a key pillar of financial security and social protection. It is not just a financial contract; it is a system where individuals and businesses transfer risk to insurers in exchange for premiums. By pooling risks, insurance enables households and enterprises to recover from unforeseen events without exhausting savings or selling productive assets. In this way, insurance ensures financial continuity and supports sound financial planning by protecting income, assets, and long-term economic security.
In India, insurance plays an important role in strengthening social security and promoting financial resilience. Rising healthcare costs, livelihood risks, and economic uncertainties underline the importance of accessible insurance coverage for citizens, families, and businesses. Recognising this, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) committed to the vision of "Insurance for All by 2047". It aims to ensure that every citizen has adequate life, health, and property insurance, and that every enterprise has access to suitable risk protection.
The Indian insurance sector is undergoing a significant transformation in line with this vision. Regulatory reforms and policy initiatives are expanding coverage, improving affordability, and strengthening consumer protection. The transition towards a principle-based regulatory framework has streamlined compliance requirements and provided insurers with greater flexibility to innovate, thereby supporting inclusive insurance growth. Together, these developments are positioning insurance as a vital component of India's social security framework and economic strength.
Insurance Sector Performance
Insurance, as a vital component of the financial sector, plays a crucial role in India's economy. Beyond offering protection against life, property, and casualty risks and serving as a safety net across both urban and rural areas, the sector also promotes savings. Its sustained development is essential to support India's ongoing economic transformation.
India's insurance sector continued its growth momentum in 2024-25, consolidating its position as the 10th largest insurance market globally by nominal premium volumes, with a market share of 1.8%, as per the Swiss Re report. Insurance penetration stood at 3.7% with life insurance at 2.7% and non-life at 1% while insurance density increased marginally to USD 97.0. Reflecting the scale and growing activity in the sector, during FY 2024-25, the sector issued 41.84 crore policies, collected premiums of Rs.11.93 lakh crore, paid claims of Rs.8.36 lakh crore, and reported assets under management of Rs.74.44 lakh crore as on 31 March 2025. The increasing role of insurance is also reflected in household financial assets- total value of financial assets held by households, including savings, investments and entitlements. The share of insurance and pension funds in household financial assets also rose from 28.6% in FY 2018-19 to 29.6% in FY 2024-25, reflecting growing financial awareness among households.
Notably, the life insurance segment continues to anchor the sector. It accounts for 91% of the total assets under management (AUM)- the overall market value of assets that a financial institution oversees on behalf of its clients at a given point in time. In addition to this, it represents approximately 74% of the total premium income. Within the non-life segment, health insurance has emerged as the leading business line, contributing 41% of gross domestic premium and surpassing motor insurance.
Insurance accessibility has also improved through a combination of physical presence and intermediary expansion. The total number of insurers' offices stood at 21,338 as of March 2024 which increased to 22,076 in March,2025. Correspondingly, the distribution network grew significantly from approximately 48 lakh in FY2020-21 to nearly 83 lakh in FY2024-25, improving reach across rural areas and socio-economically weaker sections. Presently, 74 insurers are operational, supported by a distribution network of over 83 lakh agents, point-of-sales persons, and institutional partners. This expansion is vital for facilitating delivery of insurance services across various segments, especially in reaching the rural and socio-economically weaker sections of society.
Recent Policy and Regulatory Measures
The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025has amended various provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. This enhances citizens' protection, deepen insurance penetration, accelerate growth, further strengthens the insurance sector and improves the ease of doing business. The key provisions of the policy are outlined below:
Increased FDI Limit: The amendment raises the FDI limit in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100%. The measure is expected to attract stable long-term investment, facilitate technology transfer, support greater insurance penetration and social protection.
Promote Ease of Doing Business: To ensure uninterrupted service, support policyholders and promote ease of doing business, following amendments were made:
Creation of Insurance Awareness: The amendment provides for the creation of a Policyholders' Education and Protection Fund, to increase citizens' awareness towards risk protection and promote education for policyholders.
Improved Policyholders' Protection: To safeguard policyholder, IRDAI has been empowered to order disgorgement of wrongful gains made by insurers or intermediaries. The maximum penalty for non-compliance with the Insurance Act or the IRDA Act has been enhanced from Rs.1 crore to Rs.10 crore. It encourages insurers and intermediaries to adhere more strictly to rules and standards, thereby improving governance, protecting policyholders' interests, and enhancing overall discipline and transparency in the insurance sector. Insurance intermediaries have also been included under this provision, thereby strengthening regulatory compliance.
GST exemption is granted on all individual life insurance policies and health insurance policies (including family floater) along with reinsurance w.e.f. 22 September, 2025. This measure enhances affordability for citizens, particularly underserved populations across rural and urban areas. The removal of the 18% GST lowers premium costs and encourages wider adoption.
To streamline compliance, enhance transparency, and strengthen policyholder rights, IRDAI has introduced several regulatory reforms in the health insurance sector. These reforms seek to simplify the health insurance experience for customers by enforcing clear rules around product design, servicing, and claims.
Major Insurance Protection Schemes
Reflecting its commitment to public welfare, the Government has introduced a comprehensive set of insurance measures to enhance financial security and social protection. These initiatives aim to improve insurance coverage, enhance affordability, and ensure wider access to risk protection across the country.
Launched in May 2015, the PMJJBY is a one-year term life insurance scheme renewable yearly. It provides life cover of Rs.2 lakh to citizens aged 18-50 years, at an annual premium of Rs.436, which is auto-debited from the subscriber's bank account. It aims to provide financial security and stability to families of the insured in case of untimely death, ensuring that no household faces sudden economic distress due to the loss of a breadwinner. The scheme has recorded 26.88 crore gross enrolments, with 10,45,450 claims disbursed as of February, 2026.
The policy is administered through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and other life insurance companies. Death due to non-accidental causes during the first 30 days of enrolment is not covered, while accidental death is covered from day one.
PMSBY, launched in May 2015, is a accidental insurance scheme that provides accident and disability cover at an affordable premium, particularly for low-income and informal sector workers.
The scheme is available to all savings bank account holders aged 18 to 70 years. It provides accidental insurance coverage at an annual premium of Rs.20, which is auto-debited from the linked bank account. Valid for one year (renewable annually), it offers risk coverage of Rs.2 lakh in case of accidental death or full disability and Rs.1 lakh for partial disability (as provided in the PMSBY rules).
The scheme has recorded 57.11 crore enrolments, with 1.76 lakh claims disbursed as of February 2026.It provides timely support to families affected by accidental deaths or disabilities, ensuring protection for economically vulnerable citizens.
Launched in September 2018, the scheme offers free health insurance coverage of up to Rs.5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare services. The scheme seeks to strengthen the healthcare system through interventions across prevention, promotion, and treatment at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. It covers all pre-existing diseases from day one, places no restriction on age, gender, or family size, and provides nationwide portability across empanelled hospitals.
In September 2024, the government expanded the health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of income. As of 28 February 2026, a total of 43.52 crore Ayushman cards have been created under the programme, highlighting the recognition of the scheme among people.
The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme is a social security programme that provides protection to employees against contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disablement, and death due to employment injury, while also offering medical care to insured persons and their families. The scheme applies to factories and various establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cinemas, newspapers, shops, and educational and medical institutions registered under ESIC. As on 31 March 2025, the scheme covered 3.24 crore employees and 3.84 crore insured persons, including 83.1 lakh insured women, with a total of 14.91 crore beneficiaries receiving benefits under the programme.
Launched in February 2016, the scheme provides farmers with a simple, affordable, and comprehensive crop insurance. It covers against non-preventable natural risks such as droughts, floods, cyclones, hailstorms, pest attacks, and plant diseases. It also covers the entire crop cycle from pre-sowing to post-harvest, including losses during storage due to notified calamities. The scheme aims to provide timely financial support to farmers helping them manage risks and avoid falling into debt.
The scheme follows the principle of "One Nation, One Crop, One Premium," ensuring uniform premium rates across the country. Farmers pay a maximum premium of 2% for Kharif food and oilseed crops, 1.5% for Rabi food and oilseed crops, and 5% for annual commercial or horticultural crops, with the remaining actuarial premium shared between the Central and State Governments. As of 13 March 2026, 93.98 crore applications have been received under the scheme, with claims amounting to Rs.1,94,505.9 crore paid to farmers.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the Government's strong focus on creating an extensive and inclusive social security framework that protects citizens from life, health, and livelihood risks. By expanding coverage, enhancing affordability, and strengthening delivery mechanisms, these schemes are contributing to a more resilient society with improved financial protection across all sections of the population.
Conclusion
India's insurance sector is steadily evolving into a more inclusive, resilient, and accessible system supported by strong policy reforms and expanding coverage. Legislative changes, regulatory improvements, and targeted social insurance schemes are strengthening policyholder protection while expanding financial security for diverse sections of society. The initiatives seamlessly align with the Government's vision of "Insurance for All" and the broader goal of "Viksit Bharat 2047", making individuals' life and health insurance more affordable and accessible. By accelerating inclusive growth and strengthening financial inclusion, these efforts lay the foundation for a more secure and self-reliant India.
References
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
https://policyholder.gov.in/documents/38105/0/IRDAI%20Press%20Note%20-%20Insuring%20India%20by%202047-%20New%20Landscape%20for%20Insurance%20Sector/a4903e22-02a3-cd63-058f-47808c75a42f
https://irdai.gov.in/document-detail?documentId394691
https://www.actuariesindia.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/10.%20IRDAI%20Insurance%20Products%20Regulations%202024.pdf
https://irdai.gov.in/document-detail?documentId8375620
https://irdai.gov.in/document-detail?documentId8658868
Ministry of Finance
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID2219928®6&lang1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2216048®3&lang1#:~:textInsurance%20sector%20records%20strong%20growth,of%20%E2%82%B974.44%20lakh%20crore
https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/echapter.pdf
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/270/AU413_WHgi9G.pdf?sourcepqars
https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmjjby
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID1922622®3&lang2
https://dfs.dashboard.nic.in/DashboardF.aspx
https://financialservices.gov.in/beta/en/page/insurance-overview
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology,
https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/details/ayushman-bharat-pradhan-mantri-jan-arogya-yojana
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/ab-pmjay
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2237404®3&lang1
Ministry of Labour & Employment
https://esic.gov.in/attachments/publicationfile/ff7d33577ddad1836cdb73547775b01b.pdf
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2202402®3&lang2
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
https://pmfby.gov.in/adminStatistics/graphicalDashboard
PIB Headquarters
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId155010&ModuleId3®3&lang1
Others
https://www.pnbmetlife.com/articles/life-insurance/importance-of-insurance-and-how-it-protects-your-finances.html
https://www.axismaxlife.com/blog/life-insurance/what-is-free-look-period
https://www.iciciprulife.com/insurance/insurance-premium.html
https://www.pnbmetlife.com/articles/wealth/assets-under-management-aum.html
https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/household-financial-assets.html
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