ISNP Registration in India – Complete IRDAI Insurance E-Commerce Platform Guide

ISNP Registration in India refers to permission from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to set up an Insurance Self-Network Platform for online sale and servicing of insurance policies. Under IRDAI's Insurance E-Commerce framework, eligible insurers and registered insurance intermediaries — such as brokers, corporate agents and web aggregators — may use ISNP to sell, issue and service insurance products through web or mobile platforms, subject to regulatory and platform-readiness requirements.

The framework was introduced under the IRDAI Guidelines on Insurance E-Commerce dated 9 March 2017 to promote insurance e-commerce, improve insurance penetration, reduce transaction cost and bring efficiency in insurance sales and servicing.

ISNP permission is not a replacement for an insurance intermediary licence. The applicant must first be an eligible insurer or registered insurance intermediary — such as an insurance broker, corporate agent or web aggregator — before seeking ISNP permission.

• Regulator — Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
• Primary Framework — IRDAI Guidelines on Insurance E-Commerce dated 9 March 2017
• Applicable Laws — Insurance Act, 1938 and IRDAI Act, 1999
• Platform — Insurance Self-Network Platform
• Purpose — Online sale and servicing of insurance policies
• Eligible Applicants — Insurers and registered insurance intermediaries
• Application Mode — ISNP portal / prescribed IRDAI process
• Key Compliance Areas — Platform certification, customer verification, data security, policy servicing, record maintenance, eIA facilitation and grievance handling

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A platform set up under ISNP framework typically supports: • Online insurance policy sale • Policy servicing • Renewal premium collection • Proposal and policy document handling • Endorsement and policy change support • Claims support • e-Insurance Account facilitation • Digital customer interaction

ISNP is a regulated digital distribution and servicing platform — not merely a normal website or app.

• Insurer registered with IRDAI — Eligible
• Insurance Broker — Eligible, subject to valid broker registration
• Corporate Agent — Eligible, subject to valid corporate agent registration
• Insurance Web Aggregator — Eligible, subject to valid web aggregator registration
• Other person recognised by IRDAI — May be permitted if recognised by the Authority
• Individual Insurance Agent — Not eligible to set up independent ISNP
• Unregistered fintech platform — Not eligible unless it holds appropriate IRDAI registration / permission

The applicant must have an existing valid IRDAI registration or recognition before applying for ISNP permission, wherever applicable.

• Individual tied insurance agent — Cannot set up independent ISNP
• Unregistered insurance marketplace — Not eligible
• Generic technology company without IRDAI intermediary licence — Not eligible
• Entity selling insurance without registration — Prohibited
• Expired / suspended intermediary — Cannot validly operate ISNP
• Entity without web / mobile platform readiness — Application may not be supported
• Entity without certification readiness — Platform approval may be delayed

A technology platform cannot use ISNP permission to bypass insurance intermediary registration requirements. Individual tied agents must use the platform of the respective insurer where available.

• Nature: ISNP — Electronic platform permission | Web Aggregator — Insurance intermediary registration | Broker — Insurance intermediary licence
• Primary Function: ISNP — Online sale and servicing of policies | Web Aggregator — Online comparison / lead generation / sale as permitted | Broker — Insurance advisory and placement
• Applicant: ISNP — Insurer or registered intermediary | Web Aggregator — Eligible company under web aggregator framework | Broker — Company / LLP under broker regulations
• Standalone Licence: ISNP — No, generally linked to existing registration | Web Aggregator — Yes | Broker — Yes
• Representation: ISNP — Depends on applicant's underlying licence | Web Aggregator — As per web aggregator framework | Broker — Represents client
• Scope: ISNP — Digital insurance e-commerce channel | Web Aggregator — Web aggregation and permitted solicitation | Broker — Advisory and broking
• Regulator: All three — IRDAI

ISNP is a platform permission. It should be mapped to the applicant's existing IRDAI registration category.

• Policy Issuance — Issuance and crediting of policy document or certificate of insurance
• Proposal Processing — Proposal form, medical reports and supporting document handling
• Medical Check-up Coordination — Organising medical check-up and submission of reports
• Endorsements — Issuance of endorsements
• Policy Changes — Change of policy terms, conditions or details
• Renewal Premium Collection — Collection and remittance of renewal premiums to insurers
• Name / Address Changes — Customer details updation
• Assignment / Nomination — Registration or change of assignment and nomination
• Surrender / Maturity / Withdrawals — Customer servicing support for life insurance products
• Free Look Cancellation — Processing of free-look cancellation requests
• Policy Loan — Loan against policy, wherever applicable
• Fund Switch / Premium Redirection — Servicing for ULIP or investment-linked products where applicable
• Revival / Cancellation — Policy revival or cancellation support
• Duplicate Policy — Duplicate policy issuance support
• Death / Maturity Claims — Claims assistance and servicing
• Other Product-Specific Operations — As permitted for the relevant product

The actual scope depends on the applicant's registration category, insurer arrangements and product permissions.

Existing insurance products may be sold through ISNP if they are approved under the applicable product filing framework and there is no change in the fundamental characteristics of the product.

Eligible product categories include: • Life insurance products • General insurance products • Health insurance products • Renewal policies • Products permitted under applicant's underlying licence • Products approved by insurer and IRDAI framework

Insurers generally need not re-file a product only because it is sold through ISNP, provided the fundamental characteristics of the product are not changed.

Platform readiness checklist for ISNP applicants: • Web / mobile platform available • Secure login and customer journey • Product display and disclosure controls • Proposal form submission mechanism • Payment / premium collection workflow • Policy document issuance / delivery integration • eIA facilitation process • KYC / AML verification integration • Customer consent and disclosure flow • Grievance redressal module • Audit trail and record retention • Data confidentiality and cyber security controls • Platform certification from registered certification body

Platform readiness should be demonstrated before or within the prescribed certification window, as applicable.

ISNP framework is closely linked with the electronic insurance ecosystem. An e-Insurance Account, commonly known as eIA, holds insurance policies in electronic form and enables policyholders to access their insurance portfolio digitally.

• eIA — Electronic Insurance Account
• Purpose — Holds insurance policies in electronic format
• Insurance Repository — IRDAI-registered entity authorised to open eIA
• Customer Benefit — Digital access to insurance portfolio
• ISNP Obligation — Facilitate opening of eIA within the prescribed timeline, subject to customer willingness and applicable framework

As per IRDAI FAQ, the applicant is required to facilitate opening of the customer's eIA within 15 days of policy issuance, at the willingness of the customer. Verify the latest position before filing.

• KYC — Customer verification as per applicable insurance KYC norms
• AML — Compliance with applicable AML framework
• e-KYC — May use permitted e-KYC facilities where allowed
• PAN Verification — May use permitted PAN verification framework
• Customer Consent — Consent and disclosures must be captured digitally
• Record Keeping — KYC and proposal records should be stored securely
• Audit Trail — Complete digital journey should be traceable

KYC / AML compliance remains the responsibility of the insurer / intermediary based on the transaction structure and underlying regulatory framework.

Step 1 — Existing IRDAI Registration Review: Confirm that the applicant is an eligible insurer or registered insurance intermediary such as broker, corporate agent or web aggregator.

Step 2 — Platform Scope Mapping: Identify whether the ISNP will be used for sale, servicing, renewals, claims support, eIA facilitation or other permitted operations.

Step 3 — Web / Mobile Platform Readiness: Prepare the digital platform with customer journey, disclosures, security, proposal flow, payment flow and servicing modules.

Step 4 — ISNP Portal Registration: Register on the ISNP portal / IRDAI prescribed process using valid intermediary or insurer registration details.

Step 5 — Application Form Submission: Submit ISNP application online and generate printable application form or acknowledgement as applicable.

Step 6 — Fee Payment: Submit prescribed non-refundable fee, currently indicated as ₹10,000 plus applicable taxes under IRDAI FAQ, subject to latest verification.

Step 7 — Platform Setup and Certification: Complete platform setup and obtain certification from registered certification body within the prescribed period.

Step 8 — IRDAI Review / Confirmation: Submit certification and supporting documents as required and respond to any clarification.

Step 9 — ISNP Permission / Operational Readiness: Upon regulatory satisfaction, operate the ISNP within the approved scope and underlying licence permissions.

Step 10 — Ongoing Compliance: Maintain cyber security, disclosures, customer records, eIA facilitation, servicing process, grievance redressal and regulatory reporting.

IRDAI's ISNP process requires the applicant to set up the platform and obtain certification from registered certification bodies within the prescribed period.

Certification areas: • Security Controls — Secure system architecture and access controls • Data Protection — Confidentiality of customer and policyholder data • Customer Journey — Proper disclosure and consent flow • Payment Flow — Secure premium collection and remittance process • Policy Servicing — Proper servicing and record maintenance process • Audit Trail — Complete transaction history and logs • Business Continuity — Platform continuity and recovery readiness • Compliance Mapping — Alignment with IRDAI e-commerce requirements

Certification should be planned early. Delayed platform readiness can delay effective ISNP operations.

• Existing IRDAI Registration Documents — Certificate of registration of insurer / broker / corporate agent / web aggregator
• Corporate Documents — Certificate of Incorporation, MOA, AOA / LLP Agreement, PAN and registered office proof
• Platform Documents — Web / mobile platform details, URL, screenshots, user journey and module description
• Technology Documents — System architecture, cyber security policy, data security controls, hosting details and BCP / DR note
• Certification Documents — Certification from registered certification body as applicable
• Product and Service Scope — Details of products to be sold and services to be provided through ISNP
• Insurer / Intermediary Agreements — Underlying tie-ups, arrangements and approvals, where applicable
• KYC / AML Documents — Customer verification process, consent flow and AML compliance note
• Grievance Documents — Complaint redressal mechanism, escalation matrix and customer support process
• Application Documents — ISNP application form, fee payment proof and IRDAI-prescribed declarations

• Application Fee — ₹10,000 plus applicable taxes, as per IRDAI FAQ
• Certification Cost — As charged by registered certification body
• Professional / Documentation Cost — Case-specific
• Renewal / Continuity Cost — Linked to underlying registration and latest IRDAI requirements

Fees should be verified from the latest IRDAI circulars, FAQs and portal instructions before filing or hardcoding in reusable website data.

• Eligibility and platform scope review — 1 to 2 weeks
• Platform readiness / documentation — Case-specific
• Online application filing — Case-specific
• Platform setup and certification — Generally within 60 days as per ISNP process
• IRDAI review / confirmation — Subject to scrutiny and completeness
• Overall timeline — Depends on platform readiness and certification

Timeline is indicative and depends on the applicant's existing registration, platform readiness, certification, document quality and IRDAI review.

• Insurance Intermediary — Generally valid as long as the underlying certificate of registration is valid, unless revoked
• Insurer — Generally valid unless revoked
• Expired / Suspended Intermediary Registration — ISNP cannot continue independently
• Change in Business Scope — Must be reviewed and intimated / approved where required

ISNP permission is connected with the applicant's underlying IRDAI status. It should not be treated as an independent perpetual permission.

• Platform Certification — Maintain valid platform certification as required
• Customer Disclosures — Provide clear product, insurer, premium and policy disclosures
• KYC / AML — Follow applicable customer verification process
• eIA Facilitation — Facilitate e-Insurance Account as applicable
• Policy Records — Maintain digital transaction and policy records
• Grievance Redressal — Maintain complaint handling process
• Cyber Security — Maintain secure platform and prevent data leakage
• Audit Trail — Maintain transaction logs and customer journey records
• Product Compliance — Sell only permitted / approved products
• Commission / Remuneration — Follow applicable IRDAI remuneration framework
• Data Confidentiality — Protect policyholder and proposal data
• Regulatory Updates — Track IRDAI circulars and comply with changes

Insurance e-commerce must protect policyholders from mis-selling, data misuse and incomplete disclosures.

Key consumer protection elements: • Transparent product display • Clear premium and benefit disclosure • No misleading comparison • Consent-based proposal submission • Secure payment mechanism • Policy document delivery • eIA facilitation • Complaint handling • Claim support and servicing • Data privacy and confidentiality

• Access Control — Secure login and role-based access
• Encryption — Protection of sensitive data
• Payment Security — Secure premium payment flow
• Data Storage — Safe storage of customer and policy data
• Audit Logs — Complete logs for all platform actions
• VAPT / Security Testing — Recommended / required as per certification process
• Incident Response — Cyber incident handling and escalation
• Vendor Risk — Due diligence of technology vendors
• Privacy — Customer data confidentiality and consent

Continuous Compliance: • Platform uptime and security monitoring — Continuous — Technology / Compliance • Customer disclosure review — Continuous — Compliance • KYC / AML verification — Transaction-based — Operations / Compliance • Grievance handling — Continuous — Customer Support • Policy and proposal record maintenance — Continuous — Operations • Data protection monitoring — Continuous — IT / Compliance

Quarterly Compliance: • Platform control review — IT Head • Complaint review — Grievance Officer • Product display review — Compliance • Audit trail review — Operations

Annual Compliance: • Platform certification review — IT / Compliance • Cyber security review — Technology Team • Intermediary registration check — Compliance • Business and servicing review — Management

Event-Based Compliance: • Change in platform architecture — Review and certify / intimate as applicable • Change in product scope — Regulatory and insurer approval check • Cyber incident — Immediate investigation and escalation • Change in underlying intermediary licence — ISNP validity review • Change in URL / mobile app — Update regulatory records as applicable • Regulatory inspection / query — Submit records promptly

• Purpose: Normal Website — Information / branding | ISNP — Regulated online sale and servicing of insurance
• IRDAI Permission: Normal Website — Not always required for simple information display | ISNP — Required for ISNP operations
• Policy Sale: Normal Website — Not permitted unless licensed structure exists | ISNP — Permitted within approved framework
• Policy Servicing: Normal Website — Limited | ISNP — Permitted as per framework
• Platform Certification: Normal Website — Not generally required | ISNP — Required as per ISNP process
• Customer Data Handling: Normal Website — General privacy compliance | ISNP — Insurance regulatory and data protection obligations
• Regulatory Supervision: Normal Website — Lower | ISNP — Higher

• Applying without valid intermediary registration — Application not maintainable
• Treating ISNP as fresh insurance licence — Wrong regulatory approach
• Weak platform readiness — Certification delay
• No eIA facilitation process — Compliance gap
• Poor customer disclosure flow — Mis-selling risk
• No KYC / AML process — Regulatory concern
• No cyber security documentation — Certification / compliance issue
• Assuming individual agent can apply — Ineligible applicant
• Confusing ISNP with web aggregator licence — Wrong positioning
• No audit trail — Inspection risk
• No grievance process — Consumer protection concern
• Selling products outside underlying licence scope — Regulatory violation

• Confirm valid IRDAI intermediary registration
• Map ISNP scope with existing licence category
• Prepare web / mobile platform before filing
• Create customer disclosure journey
• Integrate KYC / AML process
• Plan eIA facilitation
• Prepare cyber security and data protection documents
• Maintain audit trail and record retention system
• Arrange platform certification early
• Build grievance redressal workflow
• Avoid selling products outside permitted scope

"Digital insurance distribution is not only about technology. It is about creating a trustworthy, compliant and auditable customer journey." — CS Devyani Khambhati – Compliance Expert