Is it true that the asset quality of LIC has improved prior to the IPO?

That is absolutely correct as per latest data for period ended March 2021. Asset quality has improved just ahead of the IPO, possibly in March next year. Gross NPAs of LIC at Rs.35,13crore on an overall debt portfolio of Rs.4,51,303 crore has fallen from 8.17% to 7.78%.

LIC has also made substantial provisioning. As a result, the net NPAs of LIC on this debt portfolio stands at a mere 0.05%. As of now, Milliman Advisors has done the indicative actuarial valuation of LIC at close to $150 billion. The NPAs in debt portfolio had been a bone of contention, which now looks a lot better.