Photo of Indranath Bishnu

Indranath is a partner with Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and is a part of the general corporate practice in the Mumbai region. His work is focussed on the Insurance industry where he specializes in mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures and regulatory matters. He is currently  leading the team from Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas engaged to advise the Regulations Reforms Committee constituted by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. He has advised various government bodies including Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India on reforms in the insurance sector. He currently serves as a member on the committee constituted by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India to study and recommend capital requirements for Insurance entities. On the transactional side, Indranath advises multiple corporations, both Indian and foreign, in relation to investments in the insurance sector as well as establishment, operation, management and control of insurance companies and intermediaries in India.  He can be reached at indranath.bishnu@cyrilshroff.com

Primer on IRDAI Information and Cyber Security Guidelines 2023

Introduction

On September 14, 2023, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) set up an inter-disciplinary standing committee on cyber security, tasked with regularly reviewing the threats inherent in the existing or emerging technologies and suggest appropriate changes to the IRDAI Information and Cyber Security framework to further strengthen the insurance industry’s cyber security posture and resilience.[1] This is in furtherance to the IRDAI having notified the Information and Cyber Security Guidelines on April 24, 2023 (“CS Guidelines 2023”).Continue Reading Primer on IRDAI Information and Cyber Security Guidelines 2023

Arbitrability of insurance disputes – IRDAI clears the air

Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) has settled the ambiguity surrounding arbitrability of insurance disputes vide its circular titled Amendment of Arbitration Clause in General Insurance Policies dated October 27, 2023 (“Circular”)[1]. This issue stems from the All India Fire Tariff  (“AIFT”) issued by the Tariff Advisory Committee (“TAC”) on May 31, 2005.Continue Reading Arbitrability of insurance disputes – IRDAI clears the air

Indian Regulatory Perspective on Non-traditional Reinsurance Solutions

Introduction

A dynamic risk market demands insurance companies to constantly seek new solutions to manage their capital and risk position. This position is further challenged by volatile financial markets, low interest rates, and of course, competition. As insurers assess their risk appetite and aim to achieve an optimal balance of risk, reinsurance solutions have proved to be an effective solution. While traditional reinsurance solutions are effective tools for risk management, ‘Non-traditional Reinsurance Solutions’, are oriented towards providing specific business solutions rather than pure risk transfer. In this piece, we discuss the insurance regulatory framework around Non-traditional Reinsurance Solutions in India.Continue Reading Indian Regulatory Perspective on Non-traditional Reinsurance Solutions

Indian Regulatory Perspective on Non-traditional Reinsurance Solutions

Background

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) has notified the introduction of first phase of pilots for implementing ‘Risk Based Supervision’ (“RBS”) framework for the insurance sector in India[1], commencing from July 2023. The IRDAI has collaborated with M/s Toronto Centre[2] for the aforesaid project. According to the IRDAI press release, RBS is a shift towards adopting global best practices for supervision which focuses on proportionality, materiality and relies on holistic analysis of the activities of regulated entity from risk perspective. The IRDAI’s intention to shift to the RBS framework for the insurance sector was first divulged vide a notification in October 2018[3], which listed the following benefits for insurance supervision[4]:Continue Reading Risk Based Supervision: Pilot Basis for New Regime to Take Off?

Remuneration to Directors and KMPs of Insurers – Enhanced Guidelines with Extended Coverage

Introduction

The remuneration payable to Chief Executive Officers (“CEOs”), Whole-Time Directors (“WTDs”) and Managing Directors (“MDs”) of insurance companies is governed under Section 34A of the Insurance Act, 1938. This provision requires insurers to procure prior approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) in relation to such remuneration. The IRDAI (Remuneration of Non-Executive Directors of Private Sector Insurers) Guidelines, 2016 and IRDAI (Remuneration of Chief Executive Officer/Whole Time-Director and Managing Director of the Insurers) Guidelines, 2016 dated August 5, 2016 (collectively, the “Erstwhile Guidelines”) have historically governed this matter. In supersession of the Erstwhile Guidelines, the IRDAI has recently notified the Guidelines on Remuneration of Directors and Key Managerial Persons of Insurers, on June 30, 2023, which includes the IRDAI (Remuneration of Non-Executive Directors of Insurers) Guidelines, 2023 and IRDAI (Remuneration of Key Managerial Persons of Insurers) Guidelines, 2023 (collectively, the “Revised Guidelines”). The Revised Guidelines are effective from the FY 2023-24 i.e. from April 1, 2023 and the insurers are required to complete the process of framing/reviewing the remuneration policy within three months of the issuance of the Revised Guidelines.Continue Reading Remuneration to Directors and KMPs of Insurers – Enhanced Guidelines with Extended Coverage

Liberalisation of Expenses of Management Limits and Linkage with Commission: Impact on the Insurance Industry

Introduction

Pursuant to Sections 40B and 40C of the Insurance Act, 1938 (“Insurance Act”), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) is empowered to regulate and impose limits on the amount that insurance companies may spend on Expenses of Management[1] (“EoM”). Further, in terms of Section 40 of the Insurance Act, no insurer is permitted to pay, or agree to do so, to any insurance agent or intermediary, commission or remuneration in any form other than in the manner specified by the IRDAI through a regulation.Continue Reading Liberalisation of Expenses of Management Limits and Linkage with Commission: Impact on the Insurance Industry

Introduction

Vide an office memorandum dated November 29, 2022, the Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance), Government of India (“DFS”) has proposed extensive amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938 (“Act”) by way of the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (the “Amendment Bill”) in order to address the persistent demands of the insurance industry and to change some of the basic principles under the Act. The discussion on the overall nature of changes brought about by the Amendment Bill can be found in our blog post dated December 13, 2022.Continue Reading Looking Beyond Core Insurance Business: Insurers Allowed to Offer Value Added Services and Engage in Distribution of Other Financial Products

Highlights of the Master Circular on IRDAI (Registration of Indian Insurance Companies) Regulations, 2022

Introduction

Four months after the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) notified 2022 Regulations that streamline registration and share transfer requirements of Indian insurance companies, the IRDAI has issued a master circular titled ‘Master Circular on Registration of Indian Insurance Company, 2023’ dated April 24, 2023 (“Master Circular”) to supplement the procedural aspects of 2022 Regulations.Continue Reading Highlights of the Master Circular on IRDAI (Registration of Indian Insurance Companies) Regulations, 2022

Introduction

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) has notified the IRDAI (Registration of Indian Insurance Companies) Regulations, 2022 (“2022 Regulations”), on December 8, 2022. The 2022 Regulations consolidate various prescriptions relating to registration of Indian insurance companies and the transfer of shares of such entities. Previously, such prescriptions were dispersed across multiple regulations, circulars, and guidelines such as the IRDAI (Listed Indian Insurance Companies) Guidelines, 2016, and the IRDAI (Investment by PE Funds in Indian Insurance Companies) Guidelines, 2017 (“2017 PE Guidelines”).Continue Reading IRDAI (Registration Of Indian Insurance Companies) Regulations, 2022 – A Step-Up for Private Equity Participants

Insurance Laws

Introduction

The Government of India, through the Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance) (“DFS”), is proposing extensive amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938 (the “Act”), with a view to enhance insurance penetration, improve efficiency, and enable product innovation and diversification[1]. The DFS published an office memorandum dated November 29, 2022 (“DFS Memorandum”), setting out the proposed amendments to the Act and commencing a process of public consultation on the proposed amendments until December 15, 2022. The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (the “Amendment Bill”), is seen to be catering to the long-standing demands of the industry and seeks to improve some of the fundamental tenets of the Act.Continue Reading The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 – Charting a new course