The issuance of employee stock options (ESOPs) to CEOs, whole-time directors and managing directors of insurers has been expressly recognised since 2016. Now, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has issued a circular to clarify the requirement to obtain its prior approval with regard to the exercise of ESOPs. Going forward, insurers are likely to take a more pragmatic approach and consider the logistics of obtaining regulatory approvals (if applicable) with regard to ESOPs.