Build a career as a IC-38
The mandatory IRDAI licensing exam that turns anyone into a certified insurance agent in India.
Know the IC-38 before you start
Online (Computer-Based)
Exam Mode
50 MCQs / 50 marks
Total Questions
35% (18 of 50)
Pass Mark
3 years (renewable)
Licence Validity
Roles & salary as you grow
The IC-38 opens an entry role that promotes upward — here's the ladder and what each rung pays.
Stage 1
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.
Stage 2
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.
Stage 3
Agency / Sales Manager
₹3–8 LPA + incentives
Recruits, trains and manages a team of agents; earns salary plus overriding commission on team production.
Stage 4
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.
*Indicative ranges from public data; actual pay varies by employer, city and cycle.
Are you eligible?
Education
Class 10th (matriculation) pass for rural areas; Class 12th (10+2) pass for urban areas.
Age
Minimum 18 years.
Nationality
Indian citizen (resident of India).
How the IC-38 is structured
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
What you'll study
menu_bookInsurance Principles & Fundamentals
menu_bookRegulatory Framework (IRDAI)
menu_bookLife Insurance (Life / Composite variant)
menu_bookGeneral Insurance (General / Composite variant)
menu_bookPolicy Documents & Servicing
menu_bookClaims & Grievance Redressal
menu_bookCustomer Service & Ethics
How to crack the IC-38
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.
The IC-38 cycle
Year-round / on-demand
Conducted daily at authorised centres; on demand after training
Instant - displayed on screen at exam submission
Within days of passing, via sponsoring insurer
Every 3 years (25 hrs training, no re-exam)
Prep for IC-38 with PrepClever
Launching 2026. Join the waitlist for early access, free mock tests, and a personalised study plan.
See the full IC-38 guide arrow_forwardIC-38 — common questions
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?
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 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?
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.