IRDAI – Final Order in the matter of Shri Sharmajeet Singh, Insurance Surveyor and Loss Assessor (S

IRDAI Cancels Surveyor and Loss Assessor Licence of Shri Sharmajeet Singh

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI” / “Authority”) has issued a final order in the matter of Shri Sharmajeet Singh, Insurance Surveyor and Loss Assessor, vide Order No. IRDAI/INT/ORD/Misc/59/4/2026 dated April 30, 2026, cancelling his Surveyor and Loss Assessor (“SLA”) Licence.

Background

Mr. Sharmajeet Singh was acting as a Director of DISB Insurance Surveyor and Loss Assessors (“DISB”). During scrutiny of his licence renewal application, the Authority observed an unusually high volume of surveys conducted during the preceding three financial years. Accordingly, the Authority sought multiple clarifications and directed him to submit survey registers for the relevant period.Upon examination of the survey registers and subsequent submissions, the Authority found several discrepancies raising concerns regarding compliance with the IRDAI (Surveyors and Loss Assessors) Regulations, 2015 (“SLA Regulations”). The Authority also received written complaints alleging that DISB had engaged unlicensed personnel for conducting surveys and that the Form-12 returns submitted to the Authority were not authentic.A Show Cause Notice (“SCN”) dated February 6, 2026, was issued to the Surveyor. He submitted his written response on February 11, 2026, and requested a personal hearing, which was held on March 18, 2026, before the Member (Life) and Member (Non-Life).

Observations and Decision of the Authority

Charge	Violation	Observations	Decision
1. Failure to maintain survey records and filing false returns	Regulation 16(1), 16(9) and 16(13) of the IRDAI (Surveyors and Loss Assessors) Regulations, 2015.	Failed to disclose the full extent of survey assignments. Additional survey activities in West Bengal and Jharkhand were omitted. Submitted incomplete and inaccurate records. Incorrect particulars were furnished in Form-12 returns and survey registers. Failed to maintain proper backup records after claiming system failure. Failed to maintain proper survey records as required under the SLA Regulations.	The Authority held that these violations warranted regulatory action against the Surveyor.
2. Outsourcing primary responsibilities to unlicensed employees	Regulation 13(1)(d), Regulation 16(1) and Regulation 16(19B) of the SLA Regulations.	Survey assignments across distant locations could not have been personally conducted by the Surveyor. Survey work was outsourced to unlicensed employees. The Surveyor admitted that assistants carried out survey work by taking photographs under his guidance. This constituted a violation of the duties and code of conduct prescribed under the SLA Regulations.	The Authority concluded that these violations were serious and justified regulatory action.
3. Turn Around Time (TAT) violations	Regulation 13(2) of the SLA Regulations.	IFFCO TOKIO GIC discontinued assigning survey work to DISB due to persistent delays and internal conflicts. The Authority noted repeated delays in submission of survey reports beyond prescribed timelines.	The Authority recorded concerns regarding non-compliance with the prescribed timelines for submission of survey reports.
4. Outsourcing re-inspection to unlicensed personnel	Regulation 13(1)(d) of the SLA Regulations.	The Surveyor admitted that re-inspection activities were carried out by unlicensed employees. Seven employees were assigned “under repair and re-inspection” responsibilities. The Surveyor argued that insurers did not pay separate fees for re-inspection. The Authority held that lack of remuneration does not justify regulatory non-compliance.	The Authority held that inspection and re-inspection must be conducted only by licensed Surveyors and Loss Assessors.

Final Decision

• The Authority found gross non-compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.
• Violations under Charges 1, 2 and 4 were held to be serious and material.
• The Surveyor’s Licence No. IRDA/IND/SLA-34645 was cancelled with immediate effect under Regulation 24(1) of the SLA Regulations.
• The renewal application (Reference No. 500054735) was rejected.
• The Surveyor may apply for a fresh licence after completion of one year from the date of cancellation.
• The Order is appealable before the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) within 45 days under Section 110 of the Insurance Act, 1938.
• The Authority also reserved its right to initiate separate regulatory proceedings against DISB Insurance Surveyor and Loss Assessor.

Attachment

• Final Order in the matter of Shri Sharmajeet Singh, Insurance Surveyor and Loss Assessor.

Source Category: IRDAI