Aathira Varier

Stories by Aathira Varier

LIC's top management thins as MD exits, other PSU insurers also face vacancies

LIC's top management thins as MD exits, other PSU insurers also face vacancies

Rediff.com   2 days ago

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is facing a thinning of its top management as Managing Director Dinesh Pant exits to join Irdai, leaving one of four MD posts vacant. This comes amidst broader staffing challenges across several public sector insurers and a headless Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB).

Private Capex Projected to Reach Rs 3.2 Trillion in FY27 Amidst Global Uncertainty

Private Capex Projected to Reach Rs 3.2 Trillion in FY27 Amidst Global Uncertainty

Rediff.com   2 days ago

India's private sector capital expenditure is projected to reach approximately 3.2 trillion in the financial year 2026-27, up from 2.6 trillion in FY26, according to a Reserve Bank of India bulletin report, indicating sustained confidence despite global uncertainties.

NRI Deposits See Massive 678% Jump to $36.24 Billion in April-July FY27

NRI Deposits See Massive 678% Jump to $36.24 Billion in April-July FY27

Rediff.com   2 days ago

Non-resident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes witnessed a staggering 678.2 per cent increase, reaching $36.24 billion in the April-July period of FY27, primarily driven by strong FCNR(B) deposit flows and a concessional swap facility introduced by the RBI.

Irdai proposes phased reduction in insurer expense limits, new commission framework

Irdai proposes phased reduction in insurer expense limits, new commission framework

Rediff.com   6 days ago

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has proposed a phased reduction in the expenses of management (EoM) limits for insurers, aiming to lower the overall cost of insurance and enhance returns for policyholders. The proposals also include a new framework for commissions, stricter measures against mis-selling, and mandatory cost audits.

Tax relief on insurance drives higher policy purchases, expands coverage

Tax relief on insurance drives higher policy purchases, expands coverage

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2026

The removal of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on individual health and life insurance has led to a significant increase in new policy purchases and higher coverage levels, despite an initial surge moderating, according to industry experts.

Natural Calamities Trigger Property Insurance Rate Spike, Discounts Cut

Natural Calamities Trigger Property Insurance Rate Spike, Discounts Cut

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2026

Property insurance premium rates are increasing by 25-30 per cent, primarily due to a reduction in discounts, following substantial claims from natural calamities like the Gujarat floods, which caused an estimated 5,000 crore in losses.

RBI likely to hike rates by 50 bps as inflation breaches tolerance band

RBI likely to hike rates by 50 bps as inflation breaches tolerance band

Rediff.com   16 Sep 2026

Economists widely anticipate the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee will increase the repo rate by 50 basis points, likely split between the October and December meetings, as retail inflation is projected to peak at 6.1 per cent in the third quarter, exceeding the RBI's tolerance limit.

India Inc's foreign funding intent surges to $7.7 billion in July

India Inc's foreign funding intent surges to $7.7 billion in July

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2026

Indian companies, including NBFCs, filed proposals to raise $7.696 billion through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) and foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) in July 2026, a significant increase from $6.09 billion in June.

Ganpati Pandal Insurance Demand Surges

Ganpati Pandal Insurance Demand Surges

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2026

Oriental Insurance has insured around 100 Ganesh pandals this year compared with only 20-30 last year.

InsuranceDekho-RenewBuy merger to deepen India reach, eyes IPO

InsuranceDekho-RenewBuy merger to deepen India reach, eyes IPO

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2026

The merged InsuranceDekho-RenewBuy entity aims to significantly expand its distribution network across India, offering insurance, mutual funds, and loans, with a strong focus on 'Bharat' (rural India), according to CEO Ankit Agarwal.

InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy merge to create India's largest AI-powered insurance platform

InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy merge to create India's largest AI-powered insurance platform

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2026

InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy have merged to establish India's largest artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled insurance distribution platform, targeting a significant premium book and extensive reach across the country.

Why Bank CEOs Are Walking Away

Why Bank CEOs Are Walking Away

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2026

'There is mis-alignment in strategic thinking of the board and management.' 'As the business environment and customer behaviour evolve rapidly, boards are increasingly looking for leaders who can bring new ideas and challenge legacy approaches.'

Credit Card Spending in India Crosses Rs 2 Trillion Mark

Credit Card Spending in India Crosses Rs 2 Trillion Mark

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2026

Credit card spending in India has consistently topped Rs 2 trillion for three consecutive months, with July 2026 recording Rs 2.08 trillion, indicating a new normal for consumer expenditure, according to the latest RBI data.

Irdai's crackdown on insurer operating costs signals stricter compliance

Irdai's crackdown on insurer operating costs signals stricter compliance

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2026

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India's (Irdai) recent actions against insurers for breaching expense of management (EoM) limits indicate a serious commitment to enforcing operating and distribution cost controls, according to industry experts.

Gujarat Floods: Insurers anticipate Rs 5,000 crore in claims, primarily for property damage

Gujarat Floods: Insurers anticipate Rs 5,000 crore in claims, primarily for property damage

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2026

Insurers are bracing for claims worth nearly 5,000 crore from the recent floods in Gujarat, predominantly for property losses, though they do not foresee an increase in premiums within the competitive property insurance market.

India Inc's foreign borrowing intent surges to $6 billion in June

India Inc's foreign borrowing intent surges to $6 billion in June

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2026

Indian companies, including NBFCs, filed proposals with the RBI to raise $6.08 billion through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) and foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) in June, marking a significant increase from the previous month.

West Asia Tensions Drive Marine War-Risk Premiums Up 200%

West Asia Tensions Drive Marine War-Risk Premiums Up 200%

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2026

Marine war-risk premiums for West Asian shipping routes, particularly the Red Sea corridor, have surged by as much as 200 per cent due to renewed geopolitical tensions, with some high-risk transits seeing increases of over 1,000 per cent, according to industry brokers.

HDFC Life, ICICI Pru report strong Q1 profit growth, driven by premiums

HDFC Life, ICICI Pru report strong Q1 profit growth, driven by premiums

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2026

HDFC Life Insurance and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance have reported double-digit growth in profitability for the first quarter of FY27, buoyed by healthy premium collections and increased investment income, with HDFC Life's net profit rising 11.9% and ICICI Pru's by 27.8%.

Gold loans, commercial realty fuel NBFC credit surge in May

Gold loans, commercial realty fuel NBFC credit surge in May

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2026

Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India saw their overall credit growth accelerate to 14.2 per cent year-on-year in May, primarily driven by significant increases in loans against gold jewellery and commercial real estate, according to recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data.

Gulf NRIs opt for Indian term life insurance amid Iran conflict

Gulf NRIs opt for Indian term life insurance amid Iran conflict

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2026

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the Gulf region are increasingly purchasing term life insurance policies from India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia and the significant cost advantages offered by Indian products, with the GCC region now contributing over half of the total NRI demand.