Archive · 21 Aug 2026
IRDAI Bars Niva Bupa, Acko From Opening Branches
India’s insurance regulator found that two insurance companies spent more than the allowed amount on managing their businesses.
The companies are Niva Bupa Health Insurance and Acko General Insurance.
Because of this, they cannot open new branches for six months.
Niva Bupa spent about Rs 248 crore more than its limit.
Acko spent about Rs 335 crore more than its limit.
The regulator checked their records and submissions before making the decision.
The limits come from insurance-management rules introduced in 2024.
The companies were also warned about the breaches.
IRDAI barred Niva Bupa Health Insurance and Acko General Insurance from opening new branches for six months.
The action followed breaches of permissible Expenses of Management limits for 2024-25.
Niva Bupa’s expenses were Rs 2,652.12 crore, exceeding its limit by Rs 248.37 crore.
Acko General Insurance incurred Rs 985.15 crore, exceeding its limit by Rs 334.78 crore.
IRDAI said the findings followed off-site monitoring, insurer submissions and enforcement proceedings.
- Who
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India barred Niva Bupa Health Insurance and Acko General Insurance from opening new branches.
- What
- Both insurers were barred from opening new places of business for six months after exceeding permissible Expenses of Management limits.
- When
- The order was announced on Thursday and concerns expenses incurred during 2024-25.
- Where
- The action was reported from Mumbai and applies to the insurers’ new places of business.
- Why
- IRDAI said the insurers breached the Expenses of Management limits prescribed under its 2024 regulations.
- Regulator
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
- Restriction
- No new place of business for six months from the date of the order
- Niva Bupa allowable expenses
- Rs 2,403.75 crore
- Niva Bupa actual expenses
- Rs 2,652.12 crore
- Niva Bupa excess
- Rs 248.37 crore
- Acko allowable expenses
- Rs 650.37 crore
- Acko actual expenses and excess
- Rs 985.15 crore actual expenses, Rs 334.78 crore above the limit