IRDAI

Aa Ab Laut Chalein!: Key Considerations for ‘Reverse Flips’

Summary: The trend of Indian businesses relocating offshore is reversing, with many now seeking to “reverse flip” to India, driven by the nation’s vibrant economy and capital markets. While the reverse flip offers significant opportunities, it requires careful navigation of legal processes, along with addressing complex regulatory, and corporate compliance aspects. Understanding these key considerations is crucial for companies contemplating a return to India.Continue Reading Aa Ab Laut Chalein!: Key Considerations for ‘Reverse Flips’

100% FDI in Insurance: Getting the Ground Ready

Summary: The Ministry of Finance has proposed significant amendments to the Indian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2015, marking the latest regulatory move towards enabling 100% foreign direct investment in insurance companies. This follows Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2025-26 announcement to review and simplify FDI guardrails and conditionalities, representing a significant shift in India’s approach to foreign investment in the insurance sector. Our blog analyses the key proposals and implications for insurers/ intermediaries and stakeholders from a regulatory standpoint.Continue Reading 100% FDI in Insurance: Getting the Ground Ready

FIG Paper no. 48: Change in Control & Learnings in FIG space

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector constituted approximately 10% of all M&A activity in India in 2024, exceeding USD 12.1 billion[1] in value, making it the second highest among all sectors. Infrastructure and BFSI are expected to continue driving M&A deal activity in India. Recently, India is seeing several large M&A transactions involving complex structuring, regulatory approvals on account of change in control, bespoke due diligence and documentation considerations and nuanced approach to regulatory interface before and after deal signing to obviate deal failure risks. Basis our recent experience, and change in control provisions applicable to banks, non-banks, payment system operators (PSOs), mutual funds and insurance players, this paper provides an overview of the specific deal and change in control linked regulatory approvals and learnings / considerations relevant from a transaction structuring and deal execution perspective, across each of the BFSI verticals.Continue Reading FIG Paper no. 48: Change in Control & Learnings in FIG space

Introduction:

Technology has fundamentally transformed the financial services industry, with many contemporary financial institutions (“FI”) adopting a digital-first or exclusively online business model. With third-party technology service providers handling critical functions for FIs, as outsourced partners, regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”), Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) have issued their respective guidelines on outsourcing/ adoption of cloud services.[i] Additionally, FIs are also required to comply with general data protection laws.[ii]Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 46 – Series 3): Contracting Considerations for Financial Institutions

Enforcement actions by IFSCA: Upholding of regulatory standards in IFSC, GIFT City

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (“IFSCA”) is the unified regulator of India’s maiden International Financial Services Centre (“IFSC”) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (“GIFT City”). Uniquely positioned both as a developer the regulator for the IFSC jurisdiction, the IFSCA is tasked with fostering a robust financial ecosystem, regulating financial products, financial services, and financial institutions while promoting ease of doing business. A critical aspect of its objective is enforcing compliance requirements and ensuring that IFSC, GIFT City, maintains its status as a jurisdiction of “substance”, with its regulatory standards on par with other global centres.Continue Reading Enforcement actions by IFSCA: Upholding of regulatory standards in IFSC, GIFT City

Key Highlights of Gujarat GCC Policy (2025-30)

Introduction

India, with its dynamic and skilled youth, has progressively emerged as a global hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) established by multinational corporations. GCCs offer numerous strategic advantages, including driving digital transformation, fostering innovation, advancing analytics and technological solutions, promoting research and development, creating employment opportunities, enhancing operational efficiency, and strengthening business resilience. Recognising these benefits, Indian companies are also increasingly adopting the GCC model to fuel their growth. Consequently, several Indian states are crafting policies to attract both domestic and multinational corporations to set up GCCs.Continue Reading Key Highlights of Gujarat GCC Policy (2025-30)

Indranath Bishnu and Ayushi Agrawal

Insurance Brokers Association of India projects insurance broking sector to capture a 45 per cent market share by 2030 following increased insurance penetration and the demand for insurance productsOver the past couple of years, the Indian insurance industry has seen a series of significant transformations and new developments. Modified regulations, liberalisation of commission regimes, and proposals for amendment of regulatory architecture have opened new avenues of growth for the insurance broking industry. Continue Reading Mergers and Acquisitions in the Indian Insurance Broking Space

The year 2024 has seen significant advancements in advertising laws in India, with the introduction of various new guidelines aimed at regulating mis-advertising. This is understandable, considering that the Indian advertising market is projected to become a $19.2 billion industry by 2028.[1]Continue Reading Legal Spotlight on Ads: Changing Flavor of Ad-Laws in India

Policy Wordings - Lost in Translation?

The reasons for lower insurance penetration in India are multifaceted. However, one of the main factors is limited financial literacy and awareness. Typically, legalese in the policy document makes interpretation and  understanding a challenge. Globally, the World Bank, OECD, and several other associations/ authorities have expressed the need for transparent communication to build consumer trust and confidence in the insurance industry. Given the current Indian demographics, the need of the hour is to simplify policy wordings to assist in greater financial awareness and aid the goal of insurance coverage for all.Continue Reading Policy Wordings – Lost in Translation?

A Review of the Performance of Surety Insurance Contracts in India

Introduction:

Surety insurance bonds (“Surety Bonds”) are a proven risk management mechanism, useful especially in the infrastructure, construction projects, and government procurement space. Surety Bonds can be an effective alternative financial solution to the principals/ contractors, who had to depend on bank guarantees earlier. Continue Reading A Review of the Performance of Surety Insurance Contracts in India