Bandhan Life Reports Nearly 3X Surge in Women Policyholders in Eastern India in FY26; Participation Jumps from 12% to 35%
Bandhan Life Insurance has reported a strong rise in women policyholders across Eastern India, with participation increasing sharply from 12% in FY23–24 to 35% in FY25–26. The trend reflects a growing shift in financial awareness, with more women actively engaging in long-term financial planning and protection. Bandhan Life has unveiled this data report as part of its Mother’s Day celebrations.
The company’s internal data shows that Eastern India continues to be a key market, led by West Bengal, which accounts for 42.84% of women policyholders in the region, followed by Bihar at 21.46%, Odisha at 10.67%, Jharkhand at 9.31%, and Assam at 8.54%. Endowment plans, in particular, have seen a sharp surge in adoption, outpacing other regions such as the West, North, and South, where protection-oriented products continue to dominate. This reflects a deeper cultural and financial inclination towards long-term security and wealth accumulation.
“Women are not just caregivers, but financial anchors of their families. As mothers, women often think furthest ahead when it comes to protecting their children’s future and ensuring long-term financial security for their loved ones. At Bandhan Life, we are witnessing a meaningful shift, with more women proactively recognising the importance of life insurance as a critical tool for protection, savings, and long-term financial planning. The growing preference for using life insurance for wealth creation as well as protection; and the rise in self-driven financial decisions reflect a deeper commitment to securing their families’ future while building financial resilience for themselves”, said Satishwar B., MD & CEO, Bandhan Life.
Bandhan Life notes that the evolving customer profile indicates a shift toward more mature and financially aware segments. Women in the 46–55 and 56–65 age groups have shown consistent growth in policy purchases, while the share of younger women aged 25–35 witnessed a decline.
Clear Shift Towards Savings-Led Insurance Products
Bandhan Life has observed a decisive shift in product preferences among women customers, with a growing inclination towards wealth creation along with protection. The company’s flagship offering, iIncome Wealth, alone contributed ~40% of total policies in FY25–26. The shift has been supported by Bandhan Life’s expanded product suite, which has grown to offer an entire portfolio of insurance solutions, enabling women to align insurance purchases with long-term wealth creation goals.
It highlights that income levels and life stages are playing a critical role in shaping product choices. Women aged above 35 with annual incomes exceeding Rs5 lakh are increasingly opting for wealth creation, meanwhile, younger women with incomes below Rs3 lakh continue to prefer protection-focused products, indicating a clear segmentation in financial needs and priorities.
Rise in Self-Driven Financial Decisions
Bandhan Life’s data also points to a strong rise in financial independence among women. A majority of women policyholders in Eastern India are purchasing insurance policies for themselves, highlighting a shift towards self-driven decision-making.
The professional profile of buyers has also evolved significantly. The share of non-salaried, self-employed women has nearly doubled since FY22–23 and now accounts for approximately 85% of women policyholders. This shift underscores the growing economic participation and financial agency of women beyond traditional employment categories.
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