Government hikes FDI limit in pension sector to 49 per cent

The Indian government on Monday raised the limit of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the pension sector to 49 per cent in line with the FDI cap raised recently in the insurance sector.

"In pursuance of the enactment of Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority Act, 2013, government has decided to permit FDI in the pension sector. The decision will take immediate effect," said the press note through which the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) gives effect to new FDI policies or changes in existing ones.

The FDI ceiling in the sector has been hiked to 49 per cent which includes foreign investment in the forms of FPI, FII, QFI, FVCI, NRI and DR.

"No government approval is required till 26 per cent, but the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval would be needed for investment beyond 26 per cent and up to the cap of 49 per cent", the press note said.

All investments in the pension sector, however, will have to abide by the pension sector regulator the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Through an ordinance in December last year, the government had allowed 49 per cent FDI. The ordinance was later converted into law by parliament.