Irdai AIF Investment Norms Clarification Strengthens Discipline “Capital carries responsibility. When it represents policyholder trust, the discipline must be even stronger.” — CS Devyani Khambhati – Compliance Expert Irdai AIF Investment Norms Clarification Strengthens Discipline The recent Irdai AIF Investment Norms Clarification is a calibrated regulatory step — not a restriction, not a liberalisation alone — but a structured refinement. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has clarified how insurers may invest in […]

IFSC Tax Holiday Benefits and the New Economics of Operating from GIFT City IFSC Tax Holiday Benefits have been significantly strengthened under the Union Budget, marking a decisive moment in India’s ambition to build GIFT City into a globally competitive International Financial Services Centre. By doubling the tax holiday period to 20 years and sharply reducing post-holiday tax rates, the government has addressed one of the most pressing concerns of entities operating from GIFT IFSC—long-term […]

Budget 2026-27 Startups: Why the Ecosystem Feels Overlooked Budget 2026-27 Startups expectations were high. After two years of funding volatility, valuation resets, and regulatory uncertainties, founders and investors were hoping for decisive policy clarity. However, the Union Budget 2026–27 delivered limited targeted relief for startups. Key concerns such as ESOP taxation, legacy angel tax scrutiny, reverse flipping costs, GAAR clarity, and Press Note 3 relaxation remained largely unaddressed. For many in the ecosystem, the silence […]

Economic Survey on Insurance Affordability and the Real Cost of Insuring India Economic Survey on Insurance Affordability has delivered one of the most candid assessments of India’s insurance sector in recent years. Beyond headline growth numbers, the Survey draws attention to a structural issue that has long been discussed quietly within the industry — the rising cost of acquisition and distribution, and its direct impact on insurance inclusion, affordability, and long-term sustainability. While India’s insurance […]

India Insurance Market Growth: Why Premium Expansion Is Set to Hit 6.9% by 2030, Says Swiss Re India Insurance Market Growth is entering a decisive phase. According to a recent outlook by Swiss Re, India is poised to become the fastest-growing major insurance market in the world, with real premium growth projected to accelerate to 6.9% during 2026–2030. This pace of expansion places India well ahead of other large insurance markets such as China, the […]