Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India kicks off November grievance resolution drive, stressing fair outcomes

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has held the kickoff for its previously announced Grievance Resolution Month, which will run across the insurance industry in November 2026. In a message to participants, IRDAI Chairman Ajay Seth emphasized that success should be measured by the fairness, quality and sustainability of resolutions, not case closures alone. The event brought together more than 100 stakeholders, including insurers, insurance councils and Insurance Ombudsmen. The initiative addresses a substantial backlog of policyholder disputes. In its earlier announcement, IRDAI reported approximately 221,000 cases pending before Consumer Commissions and judicial courts as of March 31, 2026, with about 72.49% outstanding for more than a year. Insurers were advised to prioritize older disputes and pursue settlements where legally and factually sustainable. That advice also called for prompt compliance with Insurance Ombudsman awards and corrective action to address recurring causes of grievances.