The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a safe, long-term savings scheme backed by the Government of India. Since PPF has a 15-year lock-in and can grow into a large corpus, it is important to have a valid nominee.Nomination ensures that in the event of the account holder’s death, the balance goes directly to the nominee without lengthy legal procedures. Let’s understand the PPF nomination rules, including how to add, change, and update nominees.
Quick Overview – PPF Nomination Rules
| Factor |
Rule |
| Who Can Be a Nominee? |
Any individual (family or non-family member) |
| Number of Nominees |
More than one allowed |
| Share Distribution |
Can assign percentage share to each nominee |
| Minors as Nominee |
Allowed, but guardian details required |
| Change Nominee |
Allowed anytime during account tenure |
| Update Nominee |
Modification possible through fresh nomination form |
| Nomination at Opening |
Recommended, but can also be done later |
How to add a Nominee in PPF ?
- A nominee can be added at the time of opening the PPF account using the nomination section in Form A.
- If not added initially, you can submit Form E (Nomination Form) anytime later.
- You can nominate one or multiple persons.
- For multiple nominees, you must specify the percentage share for each.
Example: If you nominate two children, you can assign 60% to one and 40% to another.
How to change a Nominee in PPF ?
- Nominee details can be changed anytime during the account tenure.
- To change, submit a new Form E (Nomination Form) at your bank or post office.
- The latest nomination will override all previous ones.
Example: If you initially nominated your father but later want to nominate your spouse, you can update the nomination by submitting Form E again.
Filling the PPF Nomination Form (Form E) is simple, but it must be done carefully to avoid mistakes. Below are the steps:
- Collect the form from your bank/post office branch where the PPF account is held.
- In some cases, banks provide a downloadable PDF version on their website.
Step 2: Fill in Account Holder’s Details
- Write your name and PPF account number clearly.
- Mention the branch name and address where your account is maintained.
Step 3: Enter Nominee Details
- Write the full name, address, age, and relationship of the nominee(s).
- If nominating multiple people, clearly specify the percentage share (e.g., Child A – 60%, Child B – 40%).
- For a minor nominee, mention the guardian’s name, address, and relationship with the minor.
Step 4: Specify Share Distribution (if multiple nominees)
- Ensure the percentage adds up to 100%.
- Example: If you nominate three people, you could divide as 40% + 40% + 20%.
Step 5: Signature / Thumb Impression
- Sign or give your thumb impression at the designated place.
- Fill in the date and place correctly.
Step 6: Witness Signatures (if required)
- Some banks/post offices may ask for one or two witnesses to sign the form.
- Witnesses need to provide their names, addresses, and signatures.
Step 7: Submission
- Submit the completed Form E to your bank or post office.
- Collect the acknowledgement copy or stamped receipt for your records.
Quick Example: If you nominate your spouse as 100%, you will simply enter their details and write “100% share”. If you nominate two children, you could write “50% each” against their names.
How to update a Nominee in PPF ?
- You can update nominee details if there is a change in relationship status (marriage, children, etc.).
- Updating also applies if you want to modify percentage shares among multiple nominees.
- You can even cancel a nomination by submitting a new nomination form with updated details.
Example: If you initially assigned 50% each to two nominees but later want to change it to 70% and 30%, you can update the nomination accordingly.
Rules for Nomination in PPF
- Nomination is allowed for PPF accounts held by adults, but not for minor accounts.
- A nominee does not get rights over the account during the holder’s lifetime.
- Nominee cannot continue the account — they only receive the balance after death of the holder.
- If no nominee is registered, legal heirs can claim the balance with required documents.
- In case of multiple nominees, the balance will be distributed as per declared share percentages.
FAQs on PPF Nomination Rules
Q1. Can I nominate more than one person in PPF?
Yes, you can nominate multiple persons and specify percentage share.
Q2. Can I nominate a minor in my PPF account?
Yes, but you must provide guardian details for the minor.
Q3. Can I change my nominee in PPF anytime?
Yes, you can change or update nominees any number of times by submitting Form E.
Q4. What happens if I don’t add a nominee in PPF?
In such cases, the balance will be given to your legal heirs after required legal procedures.
Q5. Can a nominee continue the PPF account after the account holder’s death?
No, the nominee can only claim the balance. The account cannot be continued.
Adding and updating nominees in your PPF account is essential for smooth transfer of funds.
- Use Form A for nomination at the time of account opening.
- Use Form E to add, change, or update nominees later.
- Always keep nominee details updated, especially after major life events like marriage or childbirth.
A small step of proper nomination ensures your hard-earned savings reach your loved ones without delay.
