LIC shares jump 4% as PSU insurer hits major milestone in Q4 FY26; details here

Even among central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), LIC maintained the number one position for fourth-quarter profit for FY26.

Last week, LIC reported a 23% jump in net profit to record ₹23,420 crore in the just concluded March quarter as compared to ₹19,013 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The insurance behemoth was followed by the country's biggest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), and the second-biggest lender HDFC Bank, with profits of ₹19,684 crore and ₹19,221 crore, respectively, during the fourth quarter, according to the financial numbers posted on exchanges.

However, SBI significantly outpaced LIC in annual profit, earning ₹80,032 crore in FY26 compared to LIC's ₹57,419 crore.

Similarly, HDFC Bank's profit stood at ₹74,670 crore while ICICI Bank posted a profit of ₹50,147 crore.

A day after the stellar performance of LIC, its shares jumped 5% in opening trade at ₹839 apiece on the BSE on May 22.

LIC's assets under management (AUM) increased to ₹57,29,396 crore as of March 31, 2026, from ₹54,52,297 crore on March 31, 2025, registering an increase of 5% year-on-year.

During the year, LIC's total premium income rose by 10% to ₹54,52,297 crore compared to ₹54,52,297 crore a year ago. At the same time, adjusted net worth improved to ₹1,69,605 crore from ₹1,20,258 crore in FY25.

LIC approves 1:1 bonus share issuance

In April 2026, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) said its board had approved a bonus issuance of equity shares in a 1:1 ratio.

In a regulatory filing, the bonus issue will be done by capitalising ₹6,325 crore out of reserves and surplus available with LIC as of December 31, 2025.

"... it is to inform that the Board of Directors of the Life Insurance Corporation of India at its meeting held today, i.e., Monday, April 13, 2026... considered and approved the issuance of bonus equity shares in the proportion of 1:1, i.e., 1 (One) fully paid up equity share of ₹10 each for every 1 (one) fully paid-up equity share of ₹10 each held by the Members of the Corporation as on the Record Date,.." LIC said.

The company has fixed May 29, 2026, as both the ex-date and record date to determine eligible shareholders for the bonus allotment.

About LIC

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a public sector enterprise, is India’s largest insurance company. It is the country’s largest institutional investor.

LIC was formed on September 1, 1956, after the Parliament of India passed the Life Insurance Corporation Act on June 19, 1956. It had total assets of ₹411 crore and 51 lakh policies in force that year.

LIC offers a wide variety of products that fulfil the needs of different customer segments of society. Its products include insurance plans, pension plans, unit linked plans (ULIPs), micro insurance plans, withdrawn plans, and health insurance plans.