Specimen General Power of Attorney — Format and Key Clauses 2026

What Is a General Power of Attorney?

A General Power of Attorney (GPA) grants broad, comprehensive authority to the agent (attorney) to act on behalf of the principal in a wide range of matters — including property management, financial transactions, legal proceedings, business operations, and administrative affairs. Unlike a Special Power of Attorney (which is limited to a specific transaction), a GPA authorizes the agent to handle MULTIPLE types of transactions and make decisions across various domains. GPA is commonly used when: (a) the principal is abroad (NRIs), (b) the principal is elderly or incapacitated, (c) the principal wants a trusted person to manage all their affairs, (d) a company needs an authorized representative for multiple purposes.

Specimen General Power of Attorney — Complete Format

[Illustrative format — based on ICSI Drafting material and standard practice]

GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that I, [Full Name], son/daughter of [Father's Name], aged [Age] years, presently residing at [Full Address], PAN: [Number], Aadhaar/Passport: [Number] (hereinafter called the "Principal"),

DO HEREBY NOMINATE, CONSTITUTE, AND APPOINT

Mr./Ms. [Full Name], son/daughter of [Father's Name], aged [Age] years, residing at [Full Address], PAN: [Number], Aadhaar: [Number] (hereinafter called my "Attorney"),

to be my true and lawful Attorney, to do, execute, and perform all or any of the following acts, deeds, and things in my name and on my behalf:

Powers Granted

A. Property Management:

1. To manage, maintain, repair, and look after all my immovable properties situated at [Location(s)].

2. To collect rents, issue receipts, and take legal action against defaulting tenants.

3. To pay property tax, water charges, electricity charges, society maintenance, and all other dues relating to my properties.

4. To execute, sign, and register lease agreements, leave and license agreements, and renewal/termination thereof.

5. To appear before any municipal authority, revenue authority, Sub-Registrar, or other government office for matters relating to my properties.

B. Financial Matters:

6. To operate my bank accounts at [Bank Name(s)], including: making deposits, withdrawals, signing cheques, authorizing electronic transfers (NEFT/RTGS/IMPS), opening/closing fixed deposits, and executing all banking documents.

7. To manage my investments — buy, sell, or redeem mutual fund units, shares, bonds, debentures, and other securities, and to operate my demat account at [DP Name].

8. To receive dividends, interest, maturity proceeds, and other payments on my behalf and issue valid receipts therefor.

9. To file, sign, and submit my income tax returns, GST returns, and all other tax filings, and to appear before income tax authorities, GST authorities, and appellate tribunals on my behalf.

C. Legal Proceedings:

10. To institute, defend, compromise, or withdraw any legal proceedings (civil, criminal, or before any tribunal) on my behalf.

11. To engage advocates, company secretaries, chartered accountants, and other professionals on my behalf.

12. To sign, verify, and file plaints, written statements, affidavits, applications, and all other court/tribunal documents.

13. To execute compromise agreements, consent terms, and settlement deeds on my behalf.

D. Business and Administrative:

14. To manage my business at [Business Address], including: purchasing and selling goods, entering into contracts, employing and dismissing employees, and making all business decisions.

15. To apply for, renew, or surrender any licenses, permits, registrations, or approvals from any government authority.

16. To sign and execute all necessary documents, applications, agreements, declarations, and returns on my behalf.

E. General Authority:

17. To do and perform all other acts, deeds, and things whatsoever as may be necessary, proper, or expedient for carrying out any of the above powers, as fully and effectually as I could do if personally present.

Conditions

18. This Power of Attorney shall remain in force [until revoked by me in writing / for a period of [X] years from the date hereof].

19. I hereby agree to ratify and confirm all acts, deeds, and things lawfully done by my said Attorney pursuant to this Power of Attorney.

20. This Power of Attorney shall NOT authorize my Attorney to: (a) make a will on my behalf, (b) sell, mortgage, or transfer any immovable property [unless specifically authorized — see below], (c) make gifts of my property, (d) create any charge or encumbrance on my immovable property.

[OPTIONAL — If property sale is authorized:

21. NOTWITHSTANDING Clause 20, I specifically authorize my Attorney to sell, convey, transfer, and execute the Sale Deed for my property described in the Schedule hereto, at a price and on terms deemed appropriate by my Attorney, and to receive the sale consideration and give valid receipts therefor.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have executed this General Power of Attorney on [Date] at [City].

PRINCIPAL: [Signature, Name]

WITNESSES:
1. [Name, Address, Signature]
2. [Name, Address, Signature]

NRI Power of Attorney — Special Considerations

For Non-Resident Indians executing a GPA: (a) the GPA can be executed ABROAD before the Indian Consulate/Embassy (which serves as registration) — fee: as per consular tariff, (b) alternatively: execute before a local Notary Public in the foreign country, then get it apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or attested by the Indian Consulate, (c) upon receipt in India: get the GPA adjudicated for stamp duty within 3 months of receipt — pay the applicable state stamp duty, (d) if the GPA involves immovable property transactions: it should also be registered at the Sub-Registrar's office in India (within 4 months of execution or receipt in India). NRI GPAs are common for: property management, tax filing, bank account operation, and legal proceedings.

Registration and Stamp Duty

Registration: Under Section 17(1)(b) of the Registration Act: GPAs that authorize the agent to sell, transfer, or create rights in immovable property for CONSIDERATION must be compulsorily registered. For other GPAs (managing property, operating bank accounts, filing taxes): registration is optional but recommended. Registration at the Sub-Registrar's office provides evidentiary value and public notice.

Stamp Duty: Varies by state and by the nature of the GPA: (a) Delhi: GPA for property management — Rs. 100; GPA authorizing property sale — stamp duty equivalent to conveyance (same as sale deed), (b) Maharashtra: GPA — Rs. 500 (for specified relatives), higher for others, (c) Karnataka: Rs. 100-200 (nominal for family members), (d) Other states: varies — always check the state stamp duty schedule.

Limitations of GPA

(a) Cannot transfer property: The Supreme Court in Suraj Lamp & Industries v. State of Haryana (2012) held that GPA cannot be used to TRANSFER immovable property — the GPA only authorizes the agent to execute a Sale Deed on behalf of the principal. The GPA itself is NOT a conveyance. (b) Cannot make a will: A will must be executed by the testator personally — cannot be made through an attorney. (c) Cannot vote at elections: Political voting rights are personal and cannot be delegated. (d) Revocable: Unless coupled with interest (Section 202 Indian Contract Act), a GPA can be revoked by the principal at any time.

Revocation of GPA

To revoke a GPA: (a) execute a Deed of Revocation in writing, (b) serve it on the agent by registered post or in person, (c) if the GPA was registered: register the revocation at the same Sub-Registrar's office, (d) notify all third parties who dealt with the agent (banks, property registrars, government offices), (e) optionally: publish a newspaper notice for public awareness. Under Section 208 Indian Contract Act: acts done by the agent before receiving notice of revocation are valid and binding on the principal.