Government Plans Privatization and Merger of PSU Insurers

The Indian government is considering the privatization and merger of three public sector general insurers: National Insurance, United India Insurance, and Oriental Insurance. This move aims to strengthen their financial health and improve operational efficiency. The Union Budget 2025 has proposed a capital infusion of ₹5,000 crore to help these insurers meet regulatory requirements and enhance their solvency ratios.

The government plans to list National Insurance and Oriental Insurance on the stock exchanges after the capital infusion. United India Insurance is being considered for privatization due to its strong market presence and potential value to investors. The merger of these insurers has been on the table since 2018 but faced delays due to falling solvency levels and financial losses.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) mandates a minimum solvency ratio of 1.5 for insurers. The solvency ratios of National Insurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India Insurance have been below this threshold. The proposed capital infusion aims to address these issues and pave the way for their merger and privatization.

The government seeks to improve the financial stability of these insurers and attract private investment, ultimately benefiting policyholders and the insurance sector.