Power Of Attorney (Demat / Trading Account) - FAQs

1. What is Power Of Attorney (PoA)?
Power of Attorney is a legal document giving legal authority to another person to operate your account as per the instructions contained in the Power of Attorney.

2. Is PoA compulsory in order to participate in Equity Markets / Derivative Markets?
PoA is not a mandatory document. SEBI or the exchange does not specify that PoA is essential for the investors to trade. However, you as an investor have the choice to give or not to give a PoA.

3. Are there different types of PoA?
Yes, there are two types of PoA viz., Specific PoA or Limited PoA and General PoA.

4. What is a Specific PoA?
A specific PoA or a limited PoA clearly states a single power or limited range of powers that the person to whom PoA is given can utilize or exercise on your behalf. If you decide to give PoA to a stock broker for your convenience in trade settlements, please make sure that you give only a specific PoA and that too limiting the usage of PoA for transfer of securities for margin purposes or for settlement of trades done through a recognized stock exchange.

5. What is a general PoA?
A general PoA authorizes the person in whose favor PoA is given to perform all activities that the PoA giver could have performed and normally a General PoA holder enjoys wide ranging powers. For purposes of dealing in security markets, you should not give general PoA.

6. If you choose to give PoA for smooth operational purposes, in whose favor should the PoA be given?
As explained earlier, PoA is not stipulated by SEBI or the exchange. In case you choose to give PoA for convenience and hassle free transactions through stock broker, please make sure to give PoA in the name of SEBI registered stock broker only. Do not give PoA in the name of any other person like employees, dealers, associate entities etc.

7. What is the period for which PoA should be given?
PoA should generally be given for a limited period. The period should never be left open-ended in the hand of your broker or member. In other words, the period for which PoA is given should be clearly mentioned. The choice of renewal or otherwise should be exercised after reviewing the manner in which PoA has been put to use by PoA holder.

8. If you choose to give Specific PoA, what are the conditions that you need to pay attention to?
At the time of giving PoA, you need to pay particular attention to the following,
Dos

• Give only specific PoA
• Specify the period for which PoA is given
• Confirm existence of revocation clause
• Retain your control by insisting that you receive contract notes, statement of account, demat transaction statement at your address.

Donts

• DO NOT authorize Opening or Closing of Accounts using PoA
• DO NOT authorize Off Market Transactions other than for margin purposes
• DO NOT authorize investment decisions and placing of orders using PoA
• DO NOT authorize transfer of securities/funds account other than that of Trading members Pool Account of Client Margin Account.

9. After executing a PoA, will you get a copy of the executed PoA from the stock broker?
As per exchange requirement, on execution of KYC documents, the Broker is required to give a copy of all the documents executed to the client. Hence, you should make sure to collect a copy of all executed PoA.

10. Should PoA be executed solely or jointly?
PoA should be executed by all the bank account holders. In other words, if the account is in a single name, PoA needs to be executed solely and if the account is in joint name, PoA should be executed by all account holders. PoA will automatically get cancelled in the event of death of the account holder. In case of joint account, the survivor will have to execute a fresh PoA.

11. Can PoA contain authorizations for and on behalf of family members?
PoA can be given only by account holder and hence, PoA cannot be given on behalf of family members. Family members having their own account should give their own authorization.