The insurance sector went through a full circle of phases from being unregulated to completely regulated and then currently being partly deregulated. It is governed by a number of acts, with the first one being the Insurance Act, 1938.
The Insurance Act, 1938
The Insurance Act, 1938 was the first legislation governing all forms of insurance to provide strict state control over insurance business.
Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956
Even though the first legislation was enacted in 1938, it was only on 19th of January, 1956, that life insurance in India was completely nationalized, through the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956. There were 245 insurance companies of both Indian and foreign origin in 1956. Nationalization was accomplished by the govt. acquisition of the management of the companies. The Life Insurance Corporation of India was created on 1st September, 1956, as a result and has grown to be the largest insurance company in India as of 2006.
General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972
The General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 was enacted to nationalise the 100 odd general insurance companies and subsequently merging them into four companies. All the companies were amalgamated into National Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance, United India Insurance which were headquartered in each of the four metropolitan cities.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act, 1999
Till 1999, there were not any private insurance companies in Indian insurance sector. The Govt. of India, then introduced the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act in 1999, thereby de-regulating the insurance sector and allowing private companies into the insurance. Further, foreign investment was also allowed and capped at 26% holding in the Indian insurance companies.
The Insurance Act, 1938
The Insurance Act, 1938 was the first legislation governing all forms of insurance to provide strict state control over insurance business.
Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956
Even though the first legislation was enacted in 1938, it was only on 19th of January, 1956, that life insurance in India was completely nationalized, through the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956. There were 245 insurance companies of both Indian and foreign origin in 1956. Nationalization was accomplished by the govt. acquisition of the management of the companies. The Life Insurance Corporation of India was created on 1st September, 1956, as a result and has grown to be the largest insurance company in India as of 2006.
General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972
The General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 was enacted to nationalise the 100 odd general insurance companies and subsequently merging them into four companies. All the companies were amalgamated into National Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance, United India Insurance which were headquartered in each of the four metropolitan cities.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act, 1999
Till 1999, there were not any private insurance companies in Indian insurance sector. The Govt. of India, then introduced the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act in 1999, thereby de-regulating the insurance sector and allowing private companies into the insurance. Further, foreign investment was also allowed and capped at 26% holding in the Indian insurance companies.
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