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LIC Q3 profit climbs 17 per cent to Rs 12,958 crore on strong premiums
MUMBAI: Life Insurance Corporation of India appears to be back in comfortable cruising mode. The country’s insurance giant reported a 17.2 per cent year-on-year jump in standalone net profit for the December quarter, buoyed by a sharp rise in premium collections and steady investment income.
For the third quarter of FY26, LIC posted a net profit of Rs 12,958.22 crore, up from Rs 11,056.47 crore in the same period last year. For the nine months ended December, the insurer reported a net profit of Rs 33,998.12 crore, underlining a steady run through the financial year so far.
Premium inflows did much of the heavy lifting. Net premium income rose 17.5 per cent to Rs 1,25,613.36 crore, while income from investments climbed 14.1 per cent to Rs 1,07,608.28 crore. First-year premium grew an impressive 45.6 per cent to Rs 10,604.60 crore, and single premium collections surged 30.5 per cent to Rs 45,872.85 crore.
The balance sheet also held its ground. LIC’s solvency ratio improved to 2.19 from 2.02 a year earlier, while earnings per share for the quarter came in at Rs 20.49.
On a consolidated basis, which includes subsidiaries and associates, net profit for the quarter stood at Rs 12,930.44 crore. This was supported by Rs 1,651.22 crore in profits from associates, led by investments in IDBI Bank and LIC Housing Finance.
Segment-wise, the Life Non-Participating business did the heavy lifting, generating a surplus of Rs 11,257.37 crore. The Life Participating segment reported a small deficit of Rs 38.98 crore, largely due to regulatory adjustments related to past expenses and pension liabilities.
The quarter also reflected the impact of certain regulatory approvals, including amortisation of additional family pension contributions and adjustments linked to earlier excess expenses in the participating segment. Despite these, the joint auditors issued an unmodified review conclusion, indicating no material misstatements in the results.
Managing director Dinesh Pant, said the performance reflected continued trust from policyholders and the strength of the insurer’s business model. He added that a more diversified product mix, better persistency and steady investment yields were driving the numbers, with first-year and single premium growth standing out.
Operational metrics showed modest improvements. The 13th-month persistency ratio held steady at 69.36 per cent, while the gross NPA ratio for the policyholders’ fund improved to 1.31 per cent from 1.64 per cent a year earlier. The expense of management ratio also eased to 12.38 per cent from 13.47 per cent.
For LIC, the quarter was less about dramatic turns and more about steady momentum. In an industry built on long-term promises, that may be the most reassuring signal of all.
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Bosch and Tata AutoComp to form JV for e-mobility in India
Equal stake venture to build electric drive systems and motors
BENGALURU: Bosch Limited and Tata AutoComp Systems are joining forces to tap into India’s fast-evolving electric mobility story, announcing plans for a 50:50 joint venture focused on key vehicle electrification technologies.
The proposed venture, expected to begin operations by mid-2026 subject to regulatory approvals, will focus on engineering, manufacturing and sales of eAxle systems and electric motors. Headquartered in Pune, it aims to bring global technology closer to the local market at a time when India’s automotive sector is shifting gears towards electrification.
For Bosch Group India president and Bosch Limited managing director Guruprasad Mudlapur, the direction is clear. He noted that battery electric technology is central to reducing emissions across passenger vehicles and select commercial segments, adding that the partnership is designed to accelerate adoption through advanced and efficient solutions.
The collaboration reflects a broader shift in the mobility landscape, where global expertise is increasingly being localised. Bosch Limited joint managing director and Mobility Solutions India president Sandeep Nelamangala, pointed out that customers are seeking cutting-edge global technologies tailored for India, a demand this venture aims to meet.
From Tata AutoComp’s perspective, the partnership brings complementary strengths to the table. Tata AutoComp vice chairman Arvind Goel, highlighted that India’s mobility ecosystem is being reshaped by electrification, localisation and the need for scalable solutions, making such collaborations increasingly vital.
Bosch’s global commitment to e-mobility is already significant, with investments exceeding six billion euros. Robert Bosch GmbH executive vice president, manufacturing and quality, electrified motion Karsten Müller, said the venture will help bring these technologies to India while strengthening the company’s regional presence.
With India now the world’s third-largest automotive market, the timing of the partnership is notable. As the country accelerates towards cleaner mobility, this joint venture positions both companies to ride the electric wave, combining engineering muscle with market ambition.
