Rule 293: Nomination in a recognised provident fund
Rule 293 governs nominations in a provident fund. The trustees may permit an employee to nominate one or more persons in Form No. 184 to receive the PF amount on death. If the employee has a family, nominees must be family members. Shares must cover the whole amount. A guardian may be appointed for a minor nominee, and the nomination can be modified at any time. Rules 292 to 300 deal with recognised provident funds under Part A of Schedule XI to the Act.
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Bare law
Rule 293 - Nomination
(1) An employee may be permitted by the trustees of the provident fund to nominate one or more persons to receive the amount held in the provident fund in the event of the death of such employee and such nomination shall be made in Form No. 184.
(2) If an employee nominates more than one person under sub-rule (1), he shall, specify in his nomination the amount or share payable to each of the nominees in a way that the whole of the amount that may stand to his credit in the provident fund.
(3) Where an employee has a family at the time of making a nomination, the nomination shall be in favour of one or more persons belonging to his family and any nomination made by an employee in favour of a person not belonging to his family shall be invalid.
(4) If, at the time of making a nomination, the employee does not have a family, the nomination may be in favour of any person or persons, but if the employee later gains a family, then such nomination shall be invalid and the employee may then make a new nomination in favour of one or more persons from his family.
(5) If the nomination is in favour of a minor, whether partly or fully, the member may appoint an adult family member as the guardian of the minor nominee in the event of the death of such member and if, there are no adult family members available, the member may choose any other person to be the guardian of the minor nominee.
(6) An employee may modify a nomination at any time by providing written notice to the trustees in Form No. 184 and, if the nominee dies before the employee, the nomination shall revert back to the employee who may then make a new nomination for that interest.
(7) A nomination or its modification shall take effect to the extent that it is valid on the date on which it is received by the trustees.
(8) For the purposes of this rule, "family" means,–
(a) in the case of a male member, his wife, his children, whether married or unmarried, his dependant parents and his deceased son's widow and children; and
(b) in the case of a female member, her husband, her children, whether married or unmarried, her dependant parents, her husband's dependant parents and her deceased son's widow and children.
Rule breakdown
Making a nomination: Rule 293(1) to (4)
Form No. 184.
More than one nominee: specify the share of each so the whole amount is covered.
If the employee has a family: nominees must be family members; a nomination outside the family is invalid.
If no family: anyone may be nominated, but the nomination becomes invalid when the employee later acquires a family.
Minors, changes and effect: Rule 293(5) to (7)
For a minor nominee, an adult family member may be appointed guardian; if none is available, any other person.
Modify at any time by written notice in Form No. 184; if a nominee dies first, that interest reverts to the employee.
A nomination or modification takes effect, to the extent valid, on the date the trustees receive it.
Family: Rule 293(8)
Male member: wife, children (married or unmarried), dependent parents, deceased son's widow and children.
Female member: husband, children, her dependent parents, her husband's dependent parents, deceased son's widow and children.
Key takeaways
Form No. 184
Nomination and changes use Form No. 184.
Family first
If you have a family, nominees must be family members.
Effective on receipt
Takes effect when the trustees receive it.
Practical checklist
- Update the nomination after marriage or birth of a child.
- Specify shares that add up to the whole amount.
Avoid
- Do not nominate outside the family when you have a family.
FAQs
Can I nominate a friend?
Only if you have no family at the time; if you later acquire a family that nomination becomes invalid (Rule 293(4)).
When does a nomination take effect?
On the date the trustees receive it, to the extent valid (Rule 293(7)).
What if my nominee dies before me?
That interest reverts to you and you may make a new nomination (Rule 293(6)).
Glossary
- Family
- As defined in Rule 293(8).
- Form No. 184
- The nomination form for provident funds.