ULIPs are unit-linked insurance plans that provide both life insurance coverage and investment opportunities. They allow customers to invest in various funds with different risk-reward profiles. ULIPs have certain charges associated with them and the value of customers' investments grows and declines with the net asset value of the underlying funds. In recent years, IRDA has introduced new regulations for ULIPs including longer lock-in periods and higher premium requirements to make them more long-term in nature.