Insurance penetration in India remains a work in progress. Bridging this gap requires not just policy innovation, but also awareness, accessibility, and informed decision-making. Recognising this need, Times Network's Hindi Business News Channel, ET NOW Swadesh, is bringing the spotlight with a special four-hour live programming initiative - 'Insurance Mahakumbh' on April 18, 2026, from 11 AM to 3 PM.

As part of its continued effort to decode complex sectors, Times Network has consistently curated high-impact, knowledge-led programming that empowers viewers with insights from policymakers, industry leaders, and experts.

India continues to face low insurance penetration, with life insurance below 3 per cent and general insurance around 1 per cent. As the country moves towards the vision of "Insurance for All by 2047", there is a pressing need to drive meaningful conversations.

The programming, designed as an interactive platform with Q&A format, offering a better understanding of insurance products across Life, Health, and General Insurance segments, is thoughtfully structured to cover every dimension of the sector:

The opening session, 'Insurance for All' (11 AM onwards), sets the tone with a macro perspective on expanding insurance access and penetration. The discussion will feature Kasturi Sengupta, Secretary General, General Insurance Council; R. Doraiswamy, CEO & MD, LIC (joining via Zoom); and Narendra Kumar Bharindwal, President, Insurance Brokers Association of India.

This is followed by a key policy address (11:30 AM - 12 PM), featuring M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, offering insights into the government's vision and regulatory direction for the sector.

At 12 PM, the focus shifts to Life Insurance, with industry leader Dinesh Pant, MD, LIC, Suresh Agarwal, MD & CEO Designate, Mahindra Manulife Insurance Ltd, Pankaj Gupta, MD & CEO, Pramerica Life Insurance discusses growth opportunities, product innovation, and evolving consumer needs.

The spotlight then moves to Health Insurance (12:30 PM - 1 PM), a segment that has seen exponential relevance in recent years. The session will feature Priya Deshmukh from ICICI Lombard, Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance, and Sheela Ananth, MD & CEO, Narayana Health Insurance, examining the surge in demand and the future of healthcare coverage.

Followed by an intense discussion at 1 PM on General Insurance, with Girija Subramanian, CMD, New India Assurance; Naveen Chandra Jha, MD & CEO, SBI General Insurance; and Sanjay Joshi, Chairman & MD, Oriental Insurance Company, sharing perspectives on risk coverage across industries and individuals.

A key highlight of the programming is the interactive Question & Answer session (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM), in order to address real-world concerns and queries. The session will feature Saurabh Vijayvargiya, Founder & CEO, CoverSure; Ashwani Ghai, former Executive Director, LIC; and Amit Chhabra, Chief Business Officer - General Insurance, Policybazaar.

The Mahakumbh will culminate with 'Way Ahead in Insurance' (2:30 PM - 3 PM), a forward-looking discussion on innovation, digital disruption, and the future trajectory of the sector. The session brings together Tapan Singhel, Chairman, GI Council & CEO, Bajaj General Insurance; Pallavi Malani, MD, BCG; and Tarun Chugh, MD, Bajaj Life Insurance.

By bringing together regulators, public and private sector leaders, and new-age insurance platforms, Insurance Mahakumbh promises to offer a 360-degree view of the industry-its current realities, emerging trends, and future potential.

Insurance Mahakumbh LIVE: Insurance महाकुंभ LIVE | Biggest Insurance Event - DIRECT YOUTUBE LINK