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This research study is on financial performance analysis of general insurance companies in India in the post-reform period (2000-2008). All the eight chapters of the study have been designed in a coherent manner. Chapter 1 introduces the study including the research methodology adopted. Chapter 2 discusses review of various books, articles, research works etc; and identifies the research gap. Chapter 3 discusses the development of the general insurance business in the pre-nationalization era and also in the post- nationalization period. Chapter 4 discusses the reforms initiated and the regulatory measures adopted. Chapter 5 analyses the financial performance of the public sector companies during the period before and after the entry of the private players. Chapter 6 analyses the financial performance of the private sector companies. Chapter 7 undertakes a detailed comparative study of the financial performance between the public and the private players; and attempts to trace the relative strong and weak points of both the sectors. Chapter 8 narrates the findings of the study, and the researchers suggestions on the basis of the findings of the study.

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Dr. Mahasweta Bhattacharya of Santipur College, Nadia, West Bengal, India, has been serving as Assistant Professor for thirteen years. She is an Associate Member of the ICAI, and did her Ph.D. under the supervision of CA Sunil Kumar Gandhi, a senior Professor of Accounting & Finance, University of Kalyani, India, and a Fellow Member of the ICAI.

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