How to update a nominee on Zerodha

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This guide explains how to modify an existing nominee registration on a Zerodha demat account, whether the change involves correcting nominee details, changing the nominee entirely, adjusting allocation percentages, or adding a guardian for a newly minored nominee.

Step-by-step procedure

Step 1: Log in to Console and locate the Nomination section

Go to console.zerodha.com and log in. Click Account in the top navigation and select Profile. Scroll to the Nomination section. Currently registered nominees are listed here with their name, relationship, allocation percentage, and registration date.

If the account currently has an opt-out declaration (no nominee registered by explicit choice), the section will show the opt-out status. To switch from opt-out to a registered nominee, follow the process in how to add a nominee on Zerodha instead.

Step 2: Choose the action required

Three types of changes are possible:

  1. Editing details of an existing nominee: Correcting a spelling error in the name, updating the address, or adding the PAN for a nominee who was registered without one.
  2. Removing an existing nominee and adding a new one: When a nominee has passed away, the relationship has changed, or the account holder wishes to designate a different person entirely.
  3. Changing allocation percentages: Reallocating the percentage split among existing nominees without changing who the nominees are.

Click Edit next to the relevant nominee entry to begin.

Step 3: Update nominee details

In the edit form, update the fields that need to change:

  • Name correction: Enter the correct name as it appears on the nominee’s government-issued ID.
  • Date of birth update: Correct the date if it was entered incorrectly during the original nomination.
  • Address update: Enter the nominee’s current residential address.
  • PAN addition: Enter the nominee’s PAN if it was not included in the original registration.
  • Relationship correction: Select the correct relationship from the dropdown.
  • Guardian update (minor nominee): If the guardian for a minor nominee has changed, update the guardian’s name, date of birth, and relationship.

If the nominee has turned 18 since the original nomination, remove the minor designation and update the guardian section (leave it blank). The nominee’s details remain; only the minor flag and guardian information change.

Step 4: Remove and re-add a nominee

If the existing nominee needs to be replaced entirely (different person):

  1. Click Remove next to the nominee to be deleted.
  2. Confirm the deletion.
  3. The allocation percentage previously assigned to the removed nominee becomes unallocated. Adjust the remaining nominees’ percentages or click Add nominee to register a new nominee with the available allocation.
  4. The total allocation across all active nominees must equal 100% before the form can be signed.

If only one nominee exists and that nominee is being removed, either add a new nominee immediately or be prepared to complete the opt-out declaration step (see how to opt out of nomination on Zerodha) to prevent the account from being flagged by the depository.

Step 5: Adjust allocation percentages

If no nominee is being added or removed, but only the percentage split is changing:

  1. Click Edit next to any nominee.
  2. Change the allocation percentage for that nominee.
  3. Click Save for that nominee.
  4. Repeat for other nominees until all percentages sum to 100%.

The system validates the total and will not allow submission if the total does not equal 100%.

Step 6: Review the updated nominee list

Before signing, Console displays a summary of all nominees with their updated details and allocation percentages. Verify:

  • Each nominee’s name is spelled correctly and matches their ID.
  • Dates of birth are correct.
  • Allocation percentages sum to 100.
  • Minor nominees have valid guardian entries.

This is the last opportunity to correct any errors before the Aadhaar e-sign makes the nomination legally effective.

Step 7: Authenticate via Aadhaar e-sign

Click Proceed to e-sign. The nomination update form is prepared and presented for electronic signature.

  1. Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number of the account holder.
  2. Click Request OTP.
  3. An OTP is sent to the Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
  4. Enter the OTP within the validity window.

The e-sign is applied to the updated nomination form. The previous nomination is superseded by the new one. An email confirmation is sent to the registered email address. The updated nomination takes effect immediately.

References

  1. SEBI Circular on mandatory nominee registration or opt-out for demat accounts (SEBI/HO/MIRSD/MIRSD-PoD-1/P/CIR/2022/186, 25 November 2022).
  2. CDSL Operating Instructions, Chapter 8: Nomination, transmission, and succession (revised 2024).
  3. Indian Succession Act, 1925, and the role of nominees versus legal heirs.
  4. Zerodha Console account settings: console.zerodha.com (accessed May 2026).

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