The Indian Parliament passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act 2025 on December 17, 2025, and it received presidential notification on December 22, 2025. This landmark legislation represents the most sweeping reform of India's insurance sector since liberalisation, raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in insurance from 74% to 100%.\n\nThe Act amends three foundational statutes: the Insurance Act of 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) Act of 1956, and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) Act of 1999. By doing so, it comprehensively modernises the legal framework governing India's insurance industry, which has a total premium market of over ₹11 lakh crore.\n\nOne of the most significant innovations is the creation of the Policyholders Education and Protection Fund (PEPF), a dedicated corpus to safeguard the interests of insurance customers, enhance financial literacy among policyholders, and provide a structured mechanism for grievance redressal. This fund institutionalises consumer protection within the insurance ecosystem.\n\nThe 100% FDI liberalisation is expected to attract major global insurance conglomerates to India, bringing in capital, international best practices, advanced actuarial expertise, and innovative product offerings. Experts project this could accelerate India's insurance penetration, which stands at approximately 4% of GDP — well below the global average of 7%.\n\nThe Act is part of the broader 'Bima Trinity' initiative — comprising Bima Vistaar (comprehensive rural micro-insurance), Bima Vaahak (women-led insurance distribution), and Bima Sugam (integrated insurance marketplace) — positioning insurance as a pillar of India's financial inclusion mission.
Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act 2025 — 100% FDI in Insurance Sector
The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act received Presidential assent on Dec 20 and was published on Dec 21, raising insurance FDI cap from 74% to 100%, amending Insurance Act 1938, LIC Act 1956 and IRDAI Act 1999, and creating a Policyholders Education & Protection Fund.
Key facts
- Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act 2025 received Presidential assent Dec 20 and was published Dec 21, 2025
- FDI in insurance raised from 74% to 100%
- Amends Insurance Act 1938, LIC Act 1956, and IRDAI Act 1999
- Policyholders Education and Protection Fund (PEPF) created
- India's insurance penetration at ~4% GDP vs 7% global average
- Part of broader Bima Trinity initiative (Bima Vistaar, Bima Vaahak, Bima Sugam)
Mains angle
Q: Analyze the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act 2025's role in liberalizing India's insurance sector through 100% FDI, and evaluate its implications for insurance penetration and consumer protection.
Answer (50 words):
Parliament passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act 2025 on December 17, 2025 (notified December 22), raising insurance FDI from 74% to 100% and amending the Insurance Act 1938, LIC Act 1956, and IRDAI Act 1999. It creates the Policyholders Education Fund. India's insurance penetration is 4% of GDP versus global 7%.
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Source: PRS Legislative Research
Frequently asked questions
What does the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act 2025 change about FDI in insurance?
It raises the FDI cap in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%, allowing full foreign ownership of insurance companies in India.
Which three Acts does the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act 2025 amend?
It amends the Insurance Act of 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) Act of 1956, and the IRDAI Act of 1999.
What is the Policyholders Education and Protection Fund?
A dedicated corpus created under the new Act to protect insurance customers, enhance financial literacy, and provide grievance redressal for policyholders.
When was the Act passed and notified?
Passed in Parliament on December 17, 2025, and received presidential notification on December 22, 2025.
What is India's current insurance penetration rate?
Approximately 4% of GDP, compared to the global average of around 7%.
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