Ministry of Finance Releases Draft Insurance Ombudsman Amendment Rules

Key facts

• The Ministry of Finance released the Draft Insurance Ombudsman (Amendment) Rules, 2025, on 25 November 2025.
• The draft proposed a two-tier redressal structure with an Appellate Authority constituted by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• The draft proposed stricter compliance for insurers and brokers that fail to comply with an Ombudsman award within 30 days.
• The draft remained under discussion in 2026.
• The Ministry of Finance had earlier notified amendments to the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017, on 2 March 2021.
• The 2021 amendments expanded the scope of the Ombudsman to deficiencies in service and allowed electronic filing, online tracking, and videoconferencing.
• The Executive Council of Insurers was renamed the Council for Insurance Ombudsmen in March 2021.