Archive · 1 Sep 2026
LIC at 70: From National Insurer to Digital Financial Giant
LIC is an insurance company created in India 70 years ago.
Its job is to help people protect their families and save money.
It began in 1956 by bringing 245 insurance companies and provident societies together.
Over time, private companies entered the market, so LIC had to compete and modernize.
It still has a large share of India’s life-insurance business.
LIC has introduced apps and new insurance plans to make services easier for customers.
Its Bima Sakhi program helps women find work while bringing insurance to rural communities.
The company says trust from customers, workers and agents will remain important as it enters its eighth decade.
Life Insurance Corporation of India was established on September 1, 1956, bringing 245 insurers and provident societies under one institution.
For FY26, LIC reported premium income of ₹5,35,984 crore and profit after tax of ₹57,419 crore.
LIC held 56.66% of India’s life-insurance market by first-year premium income in FY2025-26.
The corporation processed 25 million individual claims and reported a 99.44% individual death-claim settlement ratio.
LIC is expanding digital services, products and women-focused distribution while preparing for stronger competition and changing customer expectations.
- Who
- Life Insurance Corporation of India, its policyholders, agents, employees, shareholders and the Government of India.
- What
- LIC is marking 70 years of operations while reporting strong financial results and pursuing digital, product and distribution changes.
- When
- LIC was established on September 1, 1956, and completes 70 years on September 1, 2026; the reported financial figures cover FY2025-26.
- Where
- Across India, including rural areas and Gram Panchayats.
- Why
- To provide life-insurance protection at a reasonable cost and adapt to competition, technology and changing customer expectations.
- Established
- September 1, 1956, under an Act of Parliament
- Original consolidation
- 245 private life-insurance companies and provident societies
- Initial government capital
- ₹5 crore
- FY26 premium income
- ₹5,35,984 crore, up 9.80%
- FY26 profit after tax
- ₹57,419 crore, up 19.25%
- Market share
- 56.66% by first-year premium income and 65.16% by number of policies in FY2025-26
- Claims settlement
- 99.44% individual death-claim settlement ratio
- Bima Sakhi reach
- At least one Bima Sakhi in 59% of India’s Gram Panchayats as of March 31, 2026