MF Nomination Update: What If You Fail To Do It Till January 1? Here's How You Can Appoint A Nominee

A Step-By-Step Guide On How to Update Nominee in Mutual Funds Online: Even as markets regulator Sebi has made it mandatory for all demat account holders to either furnish nomination declarations or opt out of nominations by January 1, 2024, mutual fund investors and demat account holders need to nominate someone before the deadline ends. The earlier deadline was September 30, 2023, which was extended later till January 1, 2024. Here’s how you can nominate or opt out of nomination.

In a circular on March 28 this year, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said, “Based on representations received from the market participants, it has been decided that the provision mentioned at para 4 of SEBI circular dated June 15, 2022 with regard to freezing of folios, shall come into force with effect from September 30, 2023, instead of March 31, 2023.”

According to this, failing to nominate may result in the freezing of your mutual fund folio.

However, this week, Sebi in a circular said, “Based on representations received from the market participants, it has been decided that the provision… about the freezing of folios, shall come into force with effect from January 1, 2024 instead of September 30, 2023.”

What Is Nomination?

You can appoint any of your loved ones (only individuals) to receive securities held in your demat account after death.

Who Can Nominate, and Who Can Be A Nominee?

Any individual demat account holder can nominate. A non-resident Indian can also nominate. An NRI can also be a nominee.

Non-individuals like Trust, body corporate and partnership firms cannot nominate. Non-individuals cannot be nominees as well.

Power of attorney holders can also not nominate.

A minor is also not allowed to nominate. However, a minor can be a nominee.

Can You Change Nominees?

Yes, a nominee can be changed at any time by the account holder.

How Many Nominees Can You Appoint?

You can appoint up to 3 nominees.

What Are Opt-In Nomination and Opt-Out Nomination?

Opt-in means you wish to nominate nominees in your demat account. Opt-out nomination means you do not wish to nominate. Though the option is available, it is recommended to nominate in your demat account.

How To Nominate: A Step-By-Step Guide

You can nominate through both online and offline. In the offline method, you can also nominate offline by submitting the nomination form at the DP branch.

In the online method, you need to visit your intermediary’s web portal or NSDL web portal.

Step 1: Visit NSDL’s portal — https://nsdl.co.in/

Step 2: Click on the ‘Nominate Online’ option given on the homepage

Step 3: Enter your DP ID, client ID, PAN, submit OTP

Step 4: Select the option ‘I wish to Nominate’ or ‘I do not wish to nominate’

Step 5: If you choose ‘I wish to Nominate’, a new page will open. Enter the Nominees Details

Step 6: On eSign Service Provider’s page, enable the checkbox and click on ‘Proceed’

Step 7: Verify OTP

On successful submission of OTP, you will receive a confirmation. On DP’s confirmation, the nomination will be updated in your demat account.