IC-38: pattern, syllabus and full mock tests
The mandatory IRDAI licensing exam that turns anyone into a certified insurance agent in India.
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IC-38 is the pre-recruitment qualifying examination that every individual must pass to be licensed as an insurance agent in India. It is conducted by the Insurance Institute of India (III) on behalf of, and under the regulatory framework of, IRDAI. Aspiring life, general, or composite insurance agents take this online objective test after completing mandatory training, and clearing it is a legal prerequisite to selling insurance products.
Eligibility Criteria
schoolEducation
Class 10th (matriculation) pass for rural areas; Class 12th (10+2) pass for urban areas.
cakeAge Limit
Minimum 18 years.
flagNationality
Indian citizen (resident of India).
Exam Pattern
IC-38 is a single objective-type paper delivered online at IRDAI-authorised test centres, with results shown instantly on submission. Candidates first complete mandatory pre-recruitment training - 50 hours for a single line (life or general) and 75 hours for a composite licence - then sit a 50-question, 50-mark multiple-choice exam of 1 hour. There is no negative marking, and the paper is available in English, Hindi and 11+ regional languages. Candidates choose the life, general, or composite variant based on the licence they seek.
IC-38 Objective Paper
Online (Computer-Based)60 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Common + Line-Specific MCQs (Life / General / Composite) | 50 | 50 |
Key Topics & Syllabus
Insurance Principles & Fundamentals
- check_circleWhat is insurance & risk management
- check_circlePrinciples of insurance (utmost good faith, insurable interest, indemnity)
- check_circleHow insurance works
- check_circleRole of the insurance agent
Regulatory Framework (IRDAI)
- check_circleIRDAI Act & functions
- check_circleInsurance Act provisions
- check_circleAgent code of conduct & licensing rules
- check_circleProhibition of rebating
- check_circleAML / KYC norms
Life Insurance (Life / Composite variant)
- check_circleTerm, endowment, whole life, ULIPs, annuities & pension plans
- check_circlePremiums, bonuses & surrender value
- check_circleFinancial & need-based selling
- check_circleUnderwriting & proposal forms
General Insurance (General / Composite variant)
- check_circleMotor insurance
- check_circleFire & property insurance
- check_circleMarine insurance
- check_circleHealth & personal accident
- check_circleCommercial / liability insurance
Policy Documents & Servicing
- check_circleProposal form & prospectus
- check_circlePolicy document & endorsements
- check_circleFree-look period
- check_circleNomination & assignment
- check_circlePremium payment & lapse/revival
Claims & Grievance Redressal
- check_circleLife & general claims procedures
- check_circleDocumentation & settlement
- check_circleRepudiation
- check_circleInsurance Ombudsman
- check_circleConsumer protection & policyholder grievances
Customer Service & Ethics
- check_circleEthical selling
- check_circleSuitability & disclosure
- check_circleComplaint handling
- check_circlePersistency & after-sales service
Inside IC-38 Premium
Full-length mock tests
Unlimited 50-question, 60-minute papers for the life, general and composite variants - the exact exam format.
Chapter-wise MCQs
Practise every syllabus chapter - principles, regulations, policy servicing, claims - until it holds.
English + Hindi
Every question available in both languages, so you practise in the language you'll sit the paper in.
Every answer explained
A clear explanation on every question - learn from each mistake instead of repeating it.
Career Roles & Salary
Licensed Insurance Agent / Advisor
Commission-based; ~₹2–6 LPA typical, uncapped
Sells life/general/health policies for one or more insurers, earning first-year and renewal commissions. Life first-year commission was historically up to ~35% of premium (now insurer-set under IRDAI's Expense-of-Management regime), with renewal commissions of ~5–7.5% building recurring income.
Senior / MDRT Agent
₹6–15 LPA+ (top performers)
High-performing agents with large books qualify for MDRT and insurer reward programs, foreign trips and bonuses; earnings scale directly with portfolio size and renewal persistency.
Agency / Sales Manager
₹3–8 LPA + incentives
Recruits, trains and manages a team of agents; earns salary plus overriding commission on team production.
Development Officer
₹4–10 LPA + incentives
Insurer employee responsible for developing and supervising a territory of agents, combining fixed pay with performance-linked incentives - a common growth path from agent.
Full mock tests for IC-38
Everything above is free. When you're ready for unlimited full-length mocks, complete question banks and answer explanations, unlock IC-38 Premium - or read the full mock-test breakdown.
A failed IC-38 attempt means a fresh exam fee, a new slot and weeks of delay before you can sell. Premium costs less than one policy commission - once.
You save ₹200 today
- Full-length mock tests
- Chapter-wise MCQs
- English + Hindi
One payment, no subscription · Valid for 2 months
How to Prepare
Choose your insurer & licence line
Get sponsored by an IRDAI-registered insurer or III-authorised training partner and decide whether you want a life, general, or composite (both) agent licence.
Complete mandatory training
Undergo the IRDAI-prescribed pre-recruitment training - 50 hours for a single line (life or general) or 75 hours for a composite licence - at an authorised training institute (online or classroom).
Register & book the IC-38 exam
Your insurer/training partner registers you with the Insurance Institute of India (III); pay the exam fee (~₹150–₹700) and schedule your online slot at an authorised test centre.
Pass the IC-38 exam
Answer 50 MCQs in 60 minutes and score at least 18/50 (35%). There is no negative marking and results appear instantly on submission.
Get licensed & start selling
On passing, IRDAI issues your agent licence (via the sponsoring insurer). You can now legally solicit and sell insurance and begin earning commissions.
Renew every 3 years
The licence is valid for 3 years. Renew by completing 25 hours of practical training (no re-exam) and paying the renewal fee (~₹250) for the next 3-year block.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Training enrolment | Year-round / on-demand |
| IC-38 exam booking & attempt | Conducted daily at authorised centres; on demand after training |
| Result | Instant - displayed on screen at exam submission |
| Licence issuance | Within days of passing, via sponsoring insurer |
| Licence renewal | Every 3 years (25 hrs training, no re-exam) |
* Dates are indicative based on historical patterns. Check the official website for confirmed dates.
Prepare for IC-38 the smarter way
Free mock tests, chapter-wise practice questions and a personalized study plan, built around the latest IC-38 pattern.
IC-38 guides
- SyllabusThe full IC-38 syllabus: the 5 Common chapters every candidate studies, plus the Life, General and Health Insurance track chapters, with what to study first and which concepts matter most.
- Exam PatternHow the IC-38 exam is actually conducted: currently reported question count, duration, marks and qualifying score, how to pace 60 minutes, and what to expect on exam day.
- FAQsDirect answers to specific IC-38 questions: eligibility, the three tracks, passing score, negative marking, POSP vs IC-38, and what happens after you pass.
- Study MaterialWhat the official IC-38 study material covers, a three-stage system for actually using it (understand, retrieve, diagnose), and how to choose a mock test that helps rather than flatters.
- How to Become an AgentThe full route to becoming a licensed insurance agent in India: eligibility, training, the IC-38 exam, choosing a track, and what appointment with an insurer actually involves after you pass.
- Life vs General vs HealthHow the Common section and the Life, General and Health Insurance tracks differ, and how to pick the right one before you start studying. Most candidates only need one.
- PreparationA practical IC-38 study plan: a 7-day crash schedule, the concepts worth prioritising, how to turn a mock-test score into a revision plan, and the mistakes that cost most candidates marks.
- Exam DatesIC-38 has no annual date sheet. How the on-demand schedule works: year-round training enrolment, daily exam slots at authorised centres, instant results, and the 3-year licence renewal clock.
- Previous Year PapersNo official IC-38 past papers or answer keys are published, and the exam's on-demand format means there is no annual paper. What to practise instead, and how to handle recalled question sets.
IC-38 FAQ
What is the passing mark for IC-38?
You need 35% - at least 18 correct answers out of 50 questions. There is no negative marking.
Is the IC-38 exam online?
Yes. It is a computer-based online exam of 50 MCQs taken at an IRDAI-authorised centre, with results shown instantly on submission.
How much does the IC-38 exam cost?
The III exam fee is typically ₹150–₹700. Training may add ₹150–₹500 (online) or ₹1,000–₹3,000 (classroom) on top.
How many attempts do I get for IC-38?
There is no fixed cap - if you don't pass, you can re-book and re-attempt the exam (paying the fee again) until you clear it.
What's the difference between the life, general and composite variants?
The common section is shared; you then answer the section for your licence - life insurance, general insurance, or both (composite). Composite requires 75 hours of training vs 50 hours for a single line.
How much can an insurance agent earn after IC-38?
Earnings are commission-based and uncapped. Life policies historically paid up to ~35% first-year commission plus ~5–7.5% renewal (now insurer-set under IRDAI's EOM regime); top agents earn several lakhs to ₹15 LPA+.
How long is the agent licence valid and how do I renew it?
The licence is valid for 3 years. Renewal requires 25 hours of practical training and a ~₹250 fee - no re-examination is needed.
In which languages can I take the IC-38 exam?
IC-38 is offered in English, Hindi and more than 11 regional languages, including Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Odia, Punjabi and Assamese - pick your language when booking the slot.
Is IC-38 difficult to pass?
IC-38 is an entry-level licensing test, not a competitive exam. With the mandatory training plus focused MCQ practice and mock tests covering the syllabus, most candidates clear the 35% pass mark comfortably on the first attempt.
How should I prepare for IC-38?
Complete the mandatory III training, read the official IC-38 handbook for your licence line, and drill chapter-wise MCQs and full-length mock tests. PrepClever's IC-38 practice questions mirror the exact 50-question, 60-minute online format.
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