Opening a savings account in the post office is a smart way to keep your money safe and earn interest. Many people choose schemes like Public Provident Fund (PPF), Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS), and National Savings Certificate (NSC) for their savings. One important feature of these accounts is the option to add a nominee. A nominee is a person who will receive the money from your account if something happens to you.
Let’s make it simple to understand how nomination works, why it is important, and what the latest rules say about adding or changing a nominee in your post office savings account.
What is a Nominee and Why Do You Need One?
A nominee is someone you trust-like your spouse, child, or any other family member-who can claim the money in your account if you are no longer around. Adding a nominee makes sure your savings reach the right person easily, without any legal trouble or delays.
If you do not have a nominee, your family might have to go through a long legal process to get the money. This can be stressful and time-consuming. So, it is always better to add a nominee as soon as you open your account.
How to Add a Nominee When Opening an Account
Adding a nominee is very easy if you do it while opening your post office savings account. Just fill in the nominee’s details in the account opening form. There is no fee for this service. It is quick, simple, and gives you peace of mind.
What If You Want to Change or Add a Nominee Later?
Sometimes, you may want to change your nominee or add one later. Maybe your family situation has changed, or you forgot to add a nominee when you opened the account. Earlier, the post office used to charge a small fee of ₹50 for this. But now, there is good news!
From April 2025, you can add, change, or remove a nominee in your post office savings account for free. The government has removed all charges for updating nominee details. This means you can make changes as many times as you need, without worrying about any extra cost.
Steps to Add or Change a Nominee
Here’s a simple schedule to help you understand the process:
| Step | What You Need to Do | Fee (as of April 2025) | Time Taken |
| 1. At account opening | Fill nominee details in the account form | Free | Immediate |
| 2. After the account is opened | Submit Form-3 at your post office branch | Free | Few working days |
| 3. For multiple nominees | You can add up to 4 nominees (in PPF) | Free | Few working days |
| 4. Changing nominee info | Submit a new Form-3 with updated details | Free | Few working days |
- You can add one or more nominees, but not more than four, in some schemes like PPF.
- If you want to change or remove a nominee, just fill out Form-3 and submit it to your post office branch.
- There are no hidden charges or GST for making changes to your nominee details.
- If your nominee is a minor, you can also appoint an adult who will receive the money on their behalf until the nominee becomes an adult.
- Always keep the receipt or acknowledgement from the post office until you see the updated nominee details in your account statement.
Why Keeping Your Nominee Details Updated Matters
Life changes- people get married, move away, or sometimes relationships change. It is always a good idea to check your nominee details once in a while and update them if needed. This will make sure your hard-earned savings go to the right person, just as you want.
Keeping your nominee details updated is now easier and free of cost. So, take a few minutes to check your post office savings accounts and make sure everything is in order. This small step can make a big difference for your loved ones in the future.
