The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is planning to reveal details of its latest acquisition by the end of the current fiscal year, according to MD and CEO Siddhartha Mohanty. The state-owned insurance company is in the final stages of acquiring a major stake in a standalone health insurance company, with the goal of finalizing the deal by March 31. While Mohanty did not disclose the name of the target company, he confirmed that the process is nearing completion and that the acquisition is a strategic move for LIC to enter the health insurance sector.
LIC is one of the largest insurance players in India, and its entry into the health insurance market is expected to have a significant impact. The company had announced its intention to enter the health insurance sector through a stake purchase in a standalone health insurer earlier in the fiscal year. There are currently seven standalone health insurance companies in India, including Star Health & Allied Insurance, Niva Bupa Health Insurance, and Care Health Insurance.
Mohanty clarified that LIC will not be acquiring a controlling stake in the firm, but rather a significant minority stake. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals, which are expected to be completed within the current fiscal year. The move is part of LIC’s strategy to expand its presence in the insurance market and diversify its product offerings.
In addition to its health insurance plans, LIC is also engaging in discussions with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regarding long-term bond issuances. The company has requested bonds with maturities of 50 and 100 years, which would align with its long-term investment strategy. The RBI has already introduced 50-year bonds to address the increasing demand from insurance and pension funds, and LIC is negotiating for even longer-term bonds to manage its assets and liabilities effectively. With its long-term investment approach, LIC is seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for health insurance and expand its presence in the Indian insurance market.