Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
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News: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has taken a significant step to control the steep rise in health insurance premiums for senior citizens. It has issued a directive capping annual premium hikes at 10% for health insurance policies covering individuals aged 60 years and above.

About IRDAI

  • The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is the statutory body responsible for regulating and promoting the insurance industry in India.
  • It oversees both life and non-life insurance sectors to ensure fair practices, consumer protection, and financial stability in the industry.
  • Establishment: IRDAI was established in 1999 under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.
  • It became fully functional in 2000, taking over the role of monitoring and regulating the insurance sector in India.
  • Structure: IRDAI is a 10-member body, consisting of:
    • A Chairperson (appointed by the government)
    • Five full-time members
    • Four part-time members
    • These members are appointed by the Government of India and oversee various aspects of the insurance industry.

The primary objectives of IRDAI are:

  • To protect the interests of policyholders
  • To promote fair competition among insurers
  • To ensure the financial soundness of insurance companies
  • To increase insurance penetration and accessibility
  • To regulate and control premium rates and ensure transparency

Key functions of IRDAI

IRDAI performs several critical functions, including:

  1. Granting licenses to insurance companies, agents, and intermediaries.
  2. Monitoring premium pricing to prevent unfair charges.
  3. Ensuring consumer protection by handling grievances and claims disputes.
  4. Framing and enforcing regulations for the insurance industry.
  5. Promoting innovation in insurance products while ensuring stability.
  6. Encouraging financial inclusion by expanding insurance reach to rural areas.
  7. Supervising solvency margins to ensure insurers have enough funds to meet claims.

Major reforms initiated by IRDAI

IRDAI has introduced several key reforms to modernize and regulate the insurance sector, including:

  • Allowing 100% FDI in insurance intermediaries and increasing the FDI limit in the insurance sector to 74%.
  • Introducing standard health insurance policies such as Arogya Sanjeevani to make health coverage affordable.
  • Ensuring quick claim settlements and transparency in policy issuance.
  • Digitization of insurance services to improve efficiency and reduce fraud.
  • Regulating premium hikes to prevent unjustified increases, especially for senior citizens.

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