Finance Ministry proposes to hike FDI in insurance, pension to 49%

22 Aug 2012 Evaluate

The finance ministry has proposed to hike the foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance and pension sector, to 49 percent. However, the Insurance and Pension Bills will now need Cabinet approval before coming up in Parliament. 

These bills, earlier also were sent to the Cabinet, for the approval, but with the idea of allowing 26% FDI in the sector, which was later deferred in light of the difficulty faced by the Centre for driving reforms that are sorely needed to shore up weakening economic growth. 

Both these Bills have seen strong opposition from the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress. However, if the Cabinet this time around clears these two bills, the same could be introduced in the winter session of parliament.

Insurance reform is widely seen as imperative because, according to Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) estimates, the sector would require a capital infusion of over $12 billion over the next five years. Along with raising the FDI limit, the insurance amendment bill aims to strengthen regulation of the sector and allow foreign re-insurers to enter the Indian market.

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