The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has raised concerns about 'dark patterns' in the insurance sector, which are design-based tactics that manipulate consumer behavior and inflate premiums. These patterns often lead consumers to purchase more than intended, especially in online platforms where choices are influenced by design elements. On April 2, 2026, Irdai issued guidelines mandating compliance with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regulations to address these issues. Consumers have reported experiencing various dark patterns, with 6 in 10 online insurance buyers acknowledging their presence. Common tactics include creating false urgency, adding items without consent, and making renewals difficult to navigate. The prevalence of dark patterns is particularly high in non-life insurance sectors like health and motor insurance, where frequent transactions and variable pricing create opportunities for manipulation. Despite these challenges, online insurance penetration remains low, with only 0.87% of life insurance and 1.68% of health insurance sales occurring through digital channels in 2024-25. Experts emphasize the need for consumer awareness and stricter regulatory measures to combat these practices effectively.