Finance Ministry Notifies 100% FDI Rules For Insurance Sector

India has taken a major reform step in the insurance sector by formally notifying rules to allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI). The move aims to attract global capital, improve competition and deepen insurance penetration. While easing several governance restrictions for foreign invested insurers, the government has ensured Indian participation at the leadership level.

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Finance has notified final rules enabling 100% FDI in insurance companies. The rules remove the requirement for majority Indian directors but mandate that at least one top leadership role CEO, MD, or Chairperson must be held by an Indian resident.

Key Features of the New Rules

The notified rules significantly relax governance norms for insurers with foreign investment,

• No requirement for a majority of Indian directors or key management personnel
• Mandatory condition: At least one top leadership position (Chairperson, CEO, or Managing Director) must be held by an Indian resident citizen
• Greater flexibility in board composition to attract global expertise
• Supports ease of doing business in the insurance sector

Notified Details and Regulatory Changes

The notification introduces several important regulatory updates.

Rule 4A removed, which earlier,

• Forced profit retention if solvency margin fell below 1.2 times
• Required minimum number of independent directors
• References to FEMA Regulations, 2000 replaced with Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instrument) Rules, 2019
• References to the 74% FDI cap deleted, replaced by “limit as stipulated by the Insurance Act, 1938”

Rules effective from December 30, 2025 (date of Gazette publication)

Provisions That Have Been Removed

The following restrictions on foreign-invested insurance companies have been omitted,

• Prior IRDAI approval for repatriation of dividends
• Limits on payments to foreign group or promoter entities
• Regulator-determined rules on board and key management composition
• These removals give insurers more operational freedom while remaining under overall regulatory supervision.

Significance of Allowing 100% FDI in Insurance

• Attracts long-term foreign capital into insurance
• Strengthens insurers solvency and risk-bearing capacity
• Encourages global best practices and innovation
• Supports wider insurance penetration under “Sabka Bima” vision
• Balances openness with national interest by ensuring Indian leadership presence

About FDI in India’s Insurance Sector

Insurance is a regulated sector under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)

FDI limit was earlier raised gradually,

• Earlier it was used to 26%  then 49% and just before the major approval it was 74%.
• In Budget 2025, the government announced allowing 100% FDI.

Objective,

• Increase capital availability
• Expand insurance coverage
• Improve product innovation and efficiency
• The latest rules operationalize this policy decision.

Question

Q. Under the new rules for 100% FDI in insurance, which condition is mandatory?

A. Majority Indian directors
B. IRDAI approval for dividends
C. One top leadership role held by an Indian resident
D. Minimum 50% profit retention