Key terms in Making a Will, Nominations and Beneficiaries - Post #2 of 6 WILL Essentials

Nominations, Beneficiaries, and Key Will Terminology Explained

In the first part of this series, we explored why everyone needs a Will and addressed some common excuses for avoiding it. Now, let’s dive deeper into some common misconceptions about nominations and beneficiaries—and explain some of the jargon you’ll often come across when drafting or discussing a Will. I will word the blog for a husband and assume that the wife is the primary heir, in order to maintain a continuity and nothing else. Women must also make a separate Will on the same lines as their husbands, ideally at the same time.

This post is the second in a six-post series. Here is the link to the first blog "Make your Will now" 

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Nomination vs. Inheritance: What’s the Difference?

A common belief is that nominating someone for your bank account, insurance policy, or flat automatically makes them the owner. That is a completely wrong assumption.

• Nominee: A nominee is essentially a caretaker or custodian. (S)he is authorised to take possession of assets after your death but is expected to transfer them over to the rightful legal heirs as defined in your Will (or by law, if there is no Will). The bank or financial institution ends its responsibility when it transfers assets to the nominee. Technically your nominee cannot spend the money or sell the flat, unless he is also a beneficiary mentioned in your Will. 
• Beneficiary: A beneficiary is the true owner of the asset, as specified in your Will.
• A popular misconception is that everything a husband owns will automatically get transferred to the wife after you pass away. More about this later.

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Why Updating the Nomination Matters

Over time, life changes—marriage, children, separation, purchase of additional property, or even the passing of a loved one. If you don’t update your nominations, they may no longer reflect your intentions.

• Always ensure your wife’s name is included as a Nominee in all movable investments.
• If your wife should pass away before you, nominations must be updated for all non-joint investments or properties - children should be nominated (or other relatives if you don't have children).
• In some cases, it is a good idea to name parents or in-laws as additional nominees and beneficiaries while specifying percentages, especially if they depend on you financially.
• In the event of separation or divorce, you must update your nominations and beneficiaries accordingly.

💡 Tip: The simplest and most effective approach - ensure that the nominee is the same as the beneficiary in your Will for that particular asset. This will be more applicable to immovable assets and large investments in single name. It only ensures smooth transfer of assets and avoids confusion.

I myself had missed out on nominating my wife after marriage in the Postal Life Insurance that was done when I was single. I realised my mother remained the nominee, only when it matured and the policy document came back to me!!

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Key Terms You Should Know

When dealing with Wills, you’ll often encounter terms that sound intimidating. Here’s a quick guide:

• Testator / Testatrix: The person making the Will (male/female).
• Beneficiary: The individual / individuals receiving your assets in the Will.
• Executor / Executrix: The person appointed to carry out the instructions of the Will. They ensure assets are transferred properly. It is not essential to have an Executor, and he is only there to assist.
• Probate: Court certification of a Will as genuine and valid. This is required only in cases of a dispute about the Will. (A Probate is no longer mandatory in India)
• Administrator: Appointed by the court to manage assets if there is no valid Will.
• Codicil: An amendment or addition to a Will.
• Intestate: When someone dies without leaving a Will he is said to have died Intestate.

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Practical rules

1. Joint Investments
• If you and your spouse hold assets jointly (like fixed deposits or mutual funds), they are transferred to the surviving holder with a simple application and DC. They do NOT go to the nominee if one joint holder is alive.
• Investments are transferred to Nominees only if both joint holders are no longer alive. 
2. Shares and Demat Accounts
• Specifically in the case of shares and demat accounts, the nominee is treated as the legal heir. To avoid conflict, ensure the nominee in these accounts, and beneficiary named in your Will is the same.
3. Special Bequests
• You may want to leave assets to a non-heir—like a relative, friend, or caregiver that might have helped you at some stage. Mention this in your Will clearly stating your reasons, otherwise the legal heirs may dispute it.
• You may have gone through a divorce or a process of separation or estrangement from children for eg. In such cases also you should clearly specify if you do not wish to bequeath any assets to the separated or estranged persons. I'm not sure of the legal position of this, it is worth mentioning, but you should consult a lawyer in such cases.
4. Equitable Distribution
• In your Will, do specify percentage of your assets to each of your beneficiaries . Nominations only make transfer easier but do not override the Will. The Banks will transfer it to the nominee, who then transfers the amount to the other nominees as required to ensure equitable distribution. 

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Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between nominations and beneficiaries is crucial. Many families face unnecessary disputes simply because these terms were misunderstood or left ambiguous.

Before you draft or revise your Will:

• Clarify your nominations.
• Your beneficiaries in the Will should ideally match the nominations mainly for property and large single investments.
• Understand the basic terms clearly, so you’re not in doubt.

In the next blog, we’ll explore how to actually draft your Will—what to include, how to structure it, and practical tips to make it clear and legally sound. The post is titled "Drafting a Will - Guidelines and tips" 

 

This page is part of a 6 part series of posts. The complete indexed list of links is below.

Make your Will now – Part 1 of 5 

Key terms in Making a Will- Nominations Beneficiaries Part 2of 5

Drafting a Will - Guidelines and tips Part 3 of 5

Without a Will - Burdens on your loved ones after you pass -Part 4 of 5

Living Will or Advanced Medical Directives - Post 5 of 5

 

Make Your Will Now - Understanding the need - Post #1 of 6 WILL Essentials

 

Why Everyone Needs a Will: Understanding the Basics

Most of us tend to avoid conversations about Wills, assuming they are complicated or unnecessary. The truth is, making a Will is one of the most important steps you MUST take to secure your family’s future and avoid unnecessary legal hassles for them. As a Naval Aviator, every new posting required me to submit a Will to my unit office. That’s where I first understood its importance.

This is the first post in a series about Wills—why they matter, what goes into them, and how to create one without stress. Let’s start with the basics. I have also provided a Template in MS Word format for a Will, at the end of the 5th post. If you need, here is the link , but I would still recommend that you go through these posts, so that you understand the logic for the template.

Of course, this series of posts is for information only, not legal counsel, so if you need any clarifications, then you should consult your lawyer for a formal opinion and advice. 

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What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document where you write down clearly the manner in which you want your assets to be distributed after your death— these include money, property, investments, or other possessions.

Think of it as your 'voice', ensuring that after you pass on...

• Your wishes are respected.
• Your loved ones face minimum paperwork.
• Your estate is settled smoothly, without confusion or disputes.

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Who Should Make a Will?

The simple answer: anyone with assets.

If you earn an income, own property, or have movable assets such as bank accounts, investments, or even inherited items, you should make a Will. In addition, here is a list of some everyone who must make a Will:

• Young earners: The moment you start earning, it’s worth making a Will. Since you are just starting, the Will document would be much simpler than that of an older person with more assets.
• Aged persons, Retirees: Do it now, you are already in your golden years of life and owe it to your loved ones to have a smooth transition of assets to their names.
• Homemakers: Even if you don’t own assets right now, you stand to inherit property, jewellery, or investments from your husband, parents or in-laws. These need to be included in a Will.

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Why Make a Will?

A Will gives you control over specifying how your assets are managed after your lifetime. Without it, the law decides for you—and the process can be messy.

Some key reasons to make one:

• Protects your loved ones from unnecessary legal and financial complications.
• A Will lets you appoint guardians for minor children.
• Ensures digital assets (emails, online accounts, investments) are handled properly, including any publishing copyrights and patents.
• Prevents disputes by clearly defining who gets what.

Without a Will, your estate is divided according to the laws of succession, not as per your wishes. The list of legal heirs is large, multiple persons' signatures will be needed on all documents, and the paperwork is multiplied. Your family deserves better than all this. To cite an example, after you pass away, the flat you jointly own with your wife will become the combined property of your wife, your children and mother, not just your wife. I'll explain this in later posts.

The main point you need to understand is this - All authorities (Bank, Housing societies, MF, Demat etc) require the heir(s) to produce a legal document that confirms who the legal heir(s) is(are), without which the authorities are unlikely to transfer assets to the heir(s). The Will is that single document which can prove this beyond doubt to the authorities and they will have no hesitation in transferring the assets.

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Is It Difficult to Make a Will?

Not at all. At its most basic, a you can handwrite your Will on a sheet of plain paper expressing how you want your assets distributed. To make it legally valid however:-

1. Sign it in the presence of two witnesses (who are not beneficiaries - meaning they are not going to receive any assets as per your will). 
2. The witnesses must thereafter countersign as having been present when you signed your Will.
3. Get a doctor’s attestation of mental fitness (especially important for senior citizens or those with medical conditions).

That’s it. You don’t need complicated paperwork, expensive lawyers, or fancy legal language. 

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Common Excuses for Not Making a Will

Despite how simple it is, many people still avoid writing a Will. Here are some common excuses—and why they don’t stand up:

• “If you're telling me to make a will, are you expecting that I will die soon?” This is the most common reason cited for not making a Will. Many of us are not comfortable speaking about death, and want to avoid the topic. It is however, necessary to overcome this, become practical about life and the trouble our loved ones might face after we pass away.
•  “My spouse automatically inherits everything.”  Not true. Under Hindu Succession Law, for example, assets are divided among all Class 1 heirs, which includes your spouse, children, and mother (for males). Each religion has its own Succession Laws and this is not the place to have a long discussion the Succession Laws, just some examples later on.
• “It’s too expensive or too much effort.”
  Wrong again. Writing a Will costs nothing. Registering it may cost only two or three  thousand rupees. You do not need a lawyer to draft your Will if there are no major issues, believe me.
• “Why worry? I won’t take anything with me.”
  True, but without a Will, you’re leaving behind chaos and stress for your family.
• “My children are pressurising me—they must be after my money.”
  Such suspicions often delay making of Wills, but remember, you remain the owner of your assets while you are alive. The Will ensures the transfer happens smoothly only after you pass away. 
• “If I leave my home to my children, I’ll be thrown out.”
  Another misconception. A Will transfers property only after death. Never make the mistake of actually transferring  ownership of your house during your lifetime (like they show in movies, for example) because this can cause problems—including being asked to vacate your own home.
• “Nothing will happen to me, I’m fine.”
  Life is unpredictable. A Will is about being prepared, not being pessimistic.
• “It has to be on stamp paper or registered.”
  False. A Will needs to be written only on plain paper. Registration is optional but recommended and will be discussed in later posts. My recommendation however is to use the 'ledger paper' (green paper readily available at the local stationery shop, as this has a longer life)

Excuses only delay the inevitable—and make things harder for your loved ones.

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In the 6th post to come, I will also give a more detailed explanation about Nominees vs Beneficiaries. In this one I will also discuss certain considerations when bequeathing your estate to NRIs or OCI holders, and processes on filing of ITR after you pass away. So do read on.

Final Thoughts

Making a Will is not about wealth; it’s about responsibility. Whether you’re young or old, salaried or self-employed, a homemaker or a business owner—you owe it to your loved ones to leave behind clarity, not confusion.

In the next part of this series, we’ll look at nominations, beneficiaries, and the key terms you should understand before drafting your Will.

Take the first step today. It’s easier than you think.

The second part is titled, “Key terms in Making a Will- Nominations Beneficiaries Part 2 of 6” and the link is here https://polarispilot.blogspot.com/2025/09/key-terms-in-making-will-nominations.html

  

This is part of a 5 page series of posts. The complete indexed list of links is below.

Make your Will now – Part 1 of 6 

Key terms in Making a Will- Nominations Beneficiaries Part 2of 6

Drafting a Will - Guidelines and tips Part 3 of 6 

Without a Will - Burdens on your loved ones after you pass -Part 4 of 6

Living Will or Advanced Medical Directives - Post 5 of 6

Some examples, discussions and clarifications - Post 6 of 6 (to be published)

DGCA Class 1 Renewal Medical at IAM (and info for AFCME)

 

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My Experience at IAM for DGCA Class 1 Renewal Medical

I did my DGCA Class 1 renewal medical at IAM on 1st September 2025. Since DGCA recently mandated that certain tests must be done at IAF boarding centres (IAM / AFCME), many crew are still uncertain about the process.

This post is not about how to book an appointment, but what actually happens on the day of the medical and what you should carry along. (The process at AFCME is almost the same.)

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Before You Leave Home

·       Validate your medical on the eGCA portal (the night before or early morning). You’ll see a pop-up saying you can visit your examiner.

·       Don’t upload reports yet — you’ll do that later in the day.

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Tests Done Only at IAM / AFCME

·       Blood and urine tests

·       ECG

·       PTA (Audiometry)

·       USG Scan (if needed — routine or post-surgery, etc.)

📌 TMT, 2D Echo and similar tests are not done here.
📌 Check DGCA Public Notices dated 02 July 2025, 10 July 2025, and FCL 03/2025 for details.

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What to Carry

·       Printout of last medical assessment (with your eGCA ID written on it) - Essential.

·       Printouts of any reports required this time (based on last assessment and eGCA instructions).

·       Cure certificate from your doctor (if you had surgery or illness). Should mention treatment, recovery, and fitness for duty — ideally on letterhead with doctor’s stamp.

·       NOC if your medical is early or delayed.

·       Transparent folder to carry all papers.

·       Same original ID you uploaded on eGCA (Aadhaar, DL, etc.).

·       Device (phone/tab/laptop) to scan & upload reports.

·       Packed food if you want (or use the Officers’ Institute cafeteria — card only).

·       Printout of fee receipt (just in case the system is down).

·       Recent passport-size photo (rarely needed, but useful backup).

·       For FATA crew / Defence personnel: refer to FCL 03/2025.

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Reporting at IAM

·       Arrive by 0730 hrs after 12 hours fasting (drink plenty of water).

·       Deposit all your 'digital lifelines' at the guardroom lockers.

·       By 0800 hrs, staff arrive. You’ll be escorted to the waiting room near MEC, and the duty NCO gives a short briefing. Tip: Special medical (post-unfit) cases go first — let the NCO know.

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Step-by-Step Process

1. ID verification & assessment check at the ground floor counter, after that → you get requisition slips for required tests.

    o Tip. If you need to undergo a USG, do that first → only then give blood/urine samples (saves you from drinking water repeatedly).

2. Blood & urine tests (ground floor next building).  

      3. After the tests, Go upstairs (1st floor):

o Height, weight, BP, etc. is recorded.

o PTA and ECG done here (ECG printout is given, check name spelling; there's no printout for PTA).

o ECG must be signed by Medical Specialist before scan and upload.

4.                  Payments → Collect slip from ground floor → pay at accounts (card only, no cash/UPI).

5.                  Specialist check-ups (ENT & Eye) → While awaiting the test results, visit the Eye and ENT specialists who will enter details in the registers.

o If you had surgery or illness, meet that specialist and show cure certificate + reports here beforehand for any additional tests or opinions.

o Depending on your temporary unfitness, Opinion of the Aerospace Medicine Specialist is required → A case sheet is then initiated.

6. Wait for reports (ready around noon).

o Collect them → scan & upload to eGCA (done in Guard Room waiting area).

o Once uploaded, meet Medical Specialist for final assessment.

7. Final check by NCO on the ground floor → CA-35 is sent online to Board President’s office for collection signature.

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After the Medical

• If all reports are normal, you’re usually done same day.
• If extra opinions are needed, expect 2–3 days (DGCA info sheet also advises keeping buffer days).
• If you have been Temporarily Unfit - you cannot fly until you receive the Medical Assessment from DGCA; the CA35 is not an authority for you to commence flying. 

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Extra Tips

• IAM does not do medicals on Wednesdays & Saturdays. Avoid booking on those days (even if eGCA shows them). Also check for public holidays.
• Only food option nearby is the Officers’ Institute cafeteria (card payment only).
• For post-illness/unfitness medicals, see DGCA AIC #3, 4, 5 of 2007. (Although why Medical information is in an Aeronautical Information Circular beats me)
• If you know you that you need specialist opinions, consult them within 30 days before IAM. Carry their reports to save time. (mentioned in the Public Notice
• Nearest big hospital: Manipal Hospitals, 2 km away.

Uploading Reports on eGCA 

 o You must tick all boxes and upload reports in one go (that is, select and upload one by one, but all have to be ticked and uploaded). Hence you cannot upload the reports unless you have the IAM files scanned and ready.

o Scan the IAM reports into a single PDF on your mobile (eGCA permits max 40MB, across 15 files).

o “Stitch” files together beforehand for convenience and keep ready (for tests not being done at IAM and being carried with you - TMT, 2D etc).

 

Check on ALL the boxes, only then you'll be able to upload reports

 ·     Important:- If someone in your company's Operations or other person is uploading your  reports for you, please ensure that only your reports are uploaded. There was a curious case of a wrong pilot's reports being uploaded - luckily the NCO finalising the eGCA process caught it in time and the story had a happy ending 😀.

·                   Forgot a printout? There are shops 5 min leftwards from IAM gate (not sure they open at 0730). Or order via Blinkit.

·     Special Medical / Additional Reports. The DGCA PN of 10th July 25 clarifies that 'There are instances where pilots are aware of their illness/clinical condition which may require concerned specialist / super-specialist opinion.  In such cases, to reduce the time taken for completion of the Medical Examination at the centre, the crew can carry opinion of the concerned specialist / super-specialist to avoid re-referrals by IAF Boarding centres'. As correctly commented below - a good method is this -  do your tests a little less than 30 days before the date of medical even if there is no known illness.  In case there are any abnormal readings in the reports, then you should consult the relevant specialist near you, for a detailed opinion and any additional tests that may be necessary. Carry these reports and opinions along with you. (Thank you for these comments)

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Final Word

The process is smooth, the doctors and staff are very efficient, and most cases finish the same day. The only real change is that instead of one day, it may sometimes take two in case of any special report / opinion is needed.

Stay healthy, and Happy Landings !!

 Do comment below if I have missed out on any info or you want to know something more. 

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I have written a few more blog posts. One that everyone as a pilot should definitely read is  about making a Will. If you have not made one, or know of anyone who ought to be making one but is unsure of how to do this, please visit this five-part blog about Making a Will.