LIC appoints five independent directors including former Federal Bank CEO
- Five independent directors appointed to LIC board for four-year terms starting October 7, 2026
- New appointees include former Federal Bank CEO Shyam Srinivasan and Exim Bank MD David Paul Rasquinha
- Ganesh Kumar Sundara Iyer, former RBI Executive Director, joins bringing expertise in digital payments and cyber security
- Gaurav Kumar, founder of Yubi Group, adds fintech and debt market infrastructure experience to the board
- Shailesh Kumar Singh, retired IAS officer, contributes public policy and rural development expertise

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Life Insurance Corporation of India has appointed five new independent directors to its board, effective October 7, 2026. The appointments, approved by the Board of Directors subject to member approval, mark a significant refresh of the insurer's governance structure with experts from banking, central banking, and public administration.
The newly appointed directors are Shailesh Kumar Singh, David Paul Rasquinha, Shyam Srinivasan, Ganesh Kumar Sundara Iyer, and Gaurav Kumar. Each will serve a term of four years commencing from the date of appointment. The decision was taken during a board meeting held on October 7, 2026, based on recommendations from the Nomination & Remuneration Committee.
Profiles of Appointed Directors
The selection brings together diverse expertise across regulatory oversight, financial leadership, and technology infrastructure.
| Director | Key Background | Previous Role |
|---|---|---|
| Shailesh Kumar Singh | Indian Administrative Service (Retired) | Secretary, Rural Development, Government of India |
| David Paul Rasquinha | Export Credit and International Finance | Managing Director & CEO, Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) |
| Shyam Srinivasan | Banking Strategy and Leadership | Managing Director & CEO, Federal Bank (2010-2024) |
| Ganesh Kumar Sundara Iyer | Central Banking and Payments Systems | Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Gaurav Kumar | Fintech Entrepreneurship | Founder & CEO, Yubi Group |
Governance and Expertise Mix
The appointments signal a strategic focus on strengthening governance through experienced leadership. Shailesh Kumar Singh, a retired IAS officer of the 1991 batch, previously served as Secretary for Rural Development, where he oversaw flagship schemes like PMAYG and DAY-NRLM. His experience extends to urban development and coal distribution as Joint Secretary in the Government of India.
David Paul Rasquinha brings extensive international finance experience, having led Exim Bank’s international fundraising program overseeing nearly $10 billion in foreign currency debt issuance. He also served on the Reserve Bank of India's Advisory Board on Banking and Financial Frauds post-retirement.
Shyam Srinivasan led Federal Bank for 14 years, expanding its national presence and technology capabilities. His tenure is noted for maintaining strong customer focus while enhancing institutional values. Ganesh Kumar Sundara Iyer, former RBI Executive Director, played a pivotal role in digitizing tax receipts and implementing GST. He was instrumental in setting up the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and ReBIT, focusing on cyber security and payment systems like UPI and NEFT.
Gaurav Kumar adds a private sector fintech perspective as the founder of Yubi Group, which achieved unicorn status in March 2022. His background includes co-founding Vivriti Capital and leading Northern Arc Capital, providing deep insights into debt markets and lending infrastructure.
What the Numbers Show
The composition of the new board reflects a deliberate blend of public sector regulatory rigor and private sector agility. The inclusion of two former heads of major financial institutions (Exim Bank and Federal Bank) alongside a former RBI Executive Director creates a robust core for risk management and financial strategy. This is complemented by Gaurav Kumar’s fintech expertise, suggesting a potential strategic emphasis on digital transformation and modernizing insurance distribution channels. The diversity from rural development policy (Singh) to high-stakes international debt issuance (Rasquinha) ensures comprehensive oversight across operational, financial, and technological domains.
Historical Stock Returns for LIC of India
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.70% | -0.09% | -3.93% | -1.31% | -12.53% | -10.54% |
How might the inclusion of fintech leader Gaurav Kumar accelerate LIC's digital transformation and modernization of insurance distribution channels?
What specific changes to LIC's risk management framework can be expected given the appointment of former RBI Executive Director Ganesh Kumar Sundara Iyer?
Will the new board composition influence LIC's strategy regarding international capital raising, leveraging David Paul Rasquinha's Exim Bank experience?


































