Sebi introduces new guidelines for MF nomination process: What investors need to know

To simplify and safeguard the nomination process in a mutual fund, markets regulator Sebi has come up with more operational guidelines. The move will lead to certain changes in the coming months.

WHAT IS NOMINATION IN A MUTUAL FUND? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Nomination is the process of appointing a person to take care of your assets in the event of your death. Regulatory guidelines make it mandatory for new folios/accounts opened by an individual in a single name to make a nomination. In case investors do not wish to nominate, they need to confirm the same in the application form. Nomination makes transmission easy for the heirs in the event of the unitholder’s death. However, in the absence of a nominee, the heirs/claimants will have to produce a host of documents like a will, legal heir certificate, no-objection certificate from other legal heirs etc., to get the units transferred in his/her name

WHAT ADDITIONAL THINGS DOES ONE HAVE TO MENTION IN THE NEW NOMINATION FORMS THAT WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM JUNE 1?

Starting June, a new format of the nomination form must be used. This new format is available on all mutual fund house websites, mutual fund registrar websites and that of Association of Mutual Funds of India (AMFI). As per the new rules, investors will have to provide the nominee’s full name, relationship with investor, percentage of share, address, email ID, mobile number. In addition to the above they have to provide one of the following identity details, namely PAN, driving licence, last 4 digits of Aadhaar or passport number. If the details are incomplete there could be delays or rejections due to NIGO—not in good order—and the form could be rejected. Investors have to merely provide these details in the form and no proof of any documents is required while making these nominations. Investors can also opt out of the nomination by using the relevant form and there is no change in that form. In addition, an investor can also authorise one of the nominees to operate the account on his behalf, in case of incapacitation, and authorise the nominee to encash his assets up to a specified percentage from this account or folio.

DO EXISTING INVESTORS IN MUTUAL FUND SCHEMES HAVE TO DO ANYTHING NOW?
It is not mandatory for existing mutual fund investors, who have a nomination in their folios, to make any changes now

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU NOMINATE?
You can add 3 nominees up to August 31, 2025. And from September 1, 2025 you can add up to 10 nominees in a folio.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE A NOMINATION IN YOUR MUTUAL FUND FOLIO?
Completion of the nomination is simple and can be done online through RTA (registrar and transfer agent) websites or fund house websites. For those not keen to do it online, one can use a relevant physical form, sign it and send it to the fund house. In case the mobile numbers or email IDs of the second holder are not updated with the fund house, the online process will not work and investors may have to do it by filling a form only.