<h1>IRDA Implements New Measures to Boost Insurance Access in Rural and Social Sectors; Targets for Insurers Set.</h1> The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has implemented regulatory measures to enhance insurance penetration across all societal segments, including rural and social sectors. The IRDA mandates insurers to cover a specific number of lives from the social sector annually and requires life and non-life insurers to meet certain policy and premium targets in rural areas. Additionally, IRDA's Micro Insurance Regulations aim to support economically vulnerable groups. Public sector insurers are tasked with expanding offices to tier-IV towns to boost awareness and accessibility. The government has also introduced the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, offering cashless health insurance to BPL families, with over 3.44 crore smart cards issued by March 2013.