Budget Provisions
The FDI limit for the insurance sector will be raised from 74% to 100%. This enhanced limit will be available for those companies which invest the entire premium in India. The current guardrails and conditionalities associated with foreign investment will be reviewed and simplified.
Bringing clarity in income on redemption of Unit Linked Insurance Policy, it is proposed to clarify that the profit and gains from the redemption of unit linked insurance policies to which exemption under section 10(10D) does not apply, shall be charged to tax as capital gains.
The government has reduced the allocation to the PM Fasal Bima Yojana by 22.8% to Rs 12,242 crores in FY25-26 from the revised Rs 15,864 crores in FY24-25.
It is proposed to exempt the proceeds received on life insurance policy issued by IFSC insurance intermediary office without the condition on maximum premium amount.
Stocks to watch
HDFC Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, SBI Life Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance
Outlook
In a significant announcement, Union Budget 2025-26 has announced the hike in FDI limit for the insurance sector to 100% from 74%. Earlier, the the FDI cap was raised from 26% to 49% in 2015 and then to 74% in 2021. As a capital-intensive industry, the move would help the insurance industry to attract much needed capital. It would encourage more global players to look towards India, helping to improve insurance penetration. It will bring in essential capital, improve competition, and increase insurance penetration. This move may bring in new players in the industry.