CORPORATE
Prudential set to purchase 75% in Bharti Life Insurance for Rs 3,500 crore
- IBJ Bureau
- May 18, 2026
Prudential will be acquiring a majority 75 per cent stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company for Rs 3,500 crore from Bharti Life Ventures and 360 ONE Asset Management.
Bharti Enterprises holds an 85 per cent stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company, while institutional investor 360 ONE owns the remaining 15 per cent minority stake.
Bharti Life’s strong local presence, combined with Prudential’s established insurance expertise, is expected to expand access to life and health protection solutions across the country, supported by the combined brand strength and operational capabilities of both organisations, the company has said in a release.
The investment is expected to support Bharti Life’s next phase of growth by enhancing its product offers and expanding its distribution reach to better serve evolving customers’ needs.
The transaction comes at a time when India’s life insurance sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digital adoption, increasing awareness and rising demand for financial protection solutions.
Currently, Prudential is a partner with ICICI Bank with around 22 per cent stake in the life insurance venture.
With the announcement of a majority stake in Bharti Life Insurance, Prudential is required to reduce its shareholding in ICICI Prudential Life to below 10 per cent from the current around 22 per cent to secure regulatory approval for the deal.
India’s insurance laws allow 100 per cent foreign ownership in an Indian insurer under the automatic route, with no prior government approval required.
However, the cross-holding rules prohibit a foreign company from owning over 10 per cent in another Indian life insurance company, if it is a majority stakeholder in one Indian life insurer.
Besides, Prudential holds a 70 per cent controlling stake in Prudential HCL Health Insurance.
The remaining 30 per cent stake in the health insurance company is owned by Vama Sundari Investments, an HCL Group promoter company.
Prudential also has a minority shareholding of 35 per cent in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company.
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