Power of Attorney Format in India: Types, Samples and Registration (2026)

Explainer · Document Formats

Updated for 2026 · Claw Editorial

You need someone else to sign, sell, appear or collect money on your behalf, and the other side asks for a power of attorney. The trouble is that a wrong format, the wrong type, or missing stamp duty and registration can make the whole document useless. This guide explains the format in plain words, with a sample, and shows when stamping and registration are needed. Last verified October 2026.

The short answer

What it is: a document that lets an agent act for the principal within stated powers.
Types: General POA for broad acts, Special POA for one act. Prefer Special when you can.
Property: a POA is not a sale deed. Title to immovable property passes only by registered conveyance.
Stamp and registration: vary by state. Confirm locally before signing.
Ending it: revoke in writing, tell third parties, and note it ends on the principal’s death.

01What a power of attorney is

A power of attorney (POA) is a written document in which one person, the principal, authorises another person, the agent (also called the attorney or attorney holder), to act for them. The agent can sign papers, appear before an office, manage property or handle money, within the limits written in the document.

In India, the Powers of Attorney Act, 1882 deals with how a POA is executed and proved, and the Indian Contract Act, 1872 governs the agent and principal relationship (sections 182 to 238). The agent only has the powers the document gives. Anything outside those powers does not bind the principal.

Why people use one

The principal lives abroad or in another city and cannot attend in person.
The principal is unwell or elderly and needs help with bank, tax or property work.
A business wants an officer to sign or appear in a specific matter.
A litigant wants a representative to sign pleadings or collect documents (the court still decides what an agent may do in a case).

A power of attorney lets someone act for you, but only inside the powers you write down.

02General POA vs Special POA

The two common types differ in how wide the authority is.

Point	General POA (GPA)	Special POA (SPA)
Scope	Broad. Many acts for the principal	Narrow. One act or one named matter
Typical use	Managing bank accounts, rent, taxes and day-to-day affairs	Selling one flat, appearing in one case, registering one document
Duration	Usually continues until revoked or the principal dies	Ends when the task is done or the stated period ends
Risk	Higher, because the agent has wide powers	Lower, because the powers are limited
Registration	Needed if it deals with immovable property in the way the law requires	Same rule: depends on the property angle, not the label

If you only need one thing done, prefer a Special POA. It gives the agent less power, which protects you.

A POA is not a sale deed

The Supreme Court held in Suraj Lamp & Industries Pvt Ltd v State of Haryana (2012) 1 SCC 656 that sale of immovable property through a GPA, an agreement to sell and a will does not transfer title. Title to immovable property passes only through a registered conveyance. A POA lets someone act, it does not by itself make them the owner.

03How to draft a POA: the structure

A good POA is short, clear and specific. Use this order.

Title: General Power of Attorney or Special Power of Attorney.
Date and place of execution.
Parties: full name, parent or spouse name, age, address and ID details of the principal and the agent.
Recitals: why the POA is being made (for example, the principal is abroad).
Powers granted: a numbered list. Be specific. Name the property, bank account, case or office where relevant.
Limits: what the agent cannot do (for example, no sale or mortgage without a separate written consent).
Duration: a start date and an end date, or a clear event after which it ends.
Ratification clause: the principal agrees to accept acts done by the agent within the powers given.
Signatures of the principal (and often the agent), with two witnesses.
Notary attestation if required by the office where you will use it.

Common mistakes: vague powers such as "do all things", missing property details, no end date, and wrong stamp paper. If the principal signs abroad, the document usually has to be attested or apostilled as the receiving authority requires, and then stamped in India within the time the state law allows.

04Stamp duty and registration

This is the part that changes from state to state. Stamp duty on a POA is set by each state under its own stamp law, based on the Indian Stamp Act, 1899. Registration is governed by the Registration Act, 1908.

Stamp duty

Duty depends on three things: the state where it is used, whether it is general or special, and whether it gives power to sell or transfer immovable property. Some states charge a small fixed amount for a simple POA. Some charge a percentage of the property value when the agent is given power to sell, especially if the agent is not a close relative. A few states treat these cases very differently, so the same document can cost a few hundred rupees in one state and much more in another.

Registration

A POA that gives power to sell, transfer or deal in immovable property is usually registered at the sub-registrar office. Many states require this, and the buyer or sub-registrar will often insist on it.
A simple POA for bank, tax or court work usually does not need registration, but it still needs the correct stamp paper.
The Registration Act allows the agent to present documents for registration if authorised by a registered or properly proved POA.

Because rules differ by state, always confirm with the local sub-registrar or e-stamping portal. For related formats that people often need alongside a POA, see our guides on the self declaration format and the legal notice format.

05Revocation: how a POA ends

A principal can usually cancel a POA at any time. Under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, an agency ends by revocation by the principal, by the agent giving up the work, by completion of the task, by the death or insanity of either party, or when the stated period ends (sections 201 and 207 to 210 deal with this).

Steps to revoke

Draft a deed of revocation naming the original POA, its date and registration details, if any.
Sign it with witnesses on the correct stamp paper. Register it if the original POA was registered.
Give written notice to the agent. Send the same notice to banks, offices and third parties who relied on the POA.
Consider a public notice if third parties may not know.

One exception matters. Under section 202 of the Contract Act, if the agent has an interest in the subject matter, the agency cannot be ended to the harm of that interest, unless the agreement says otherwise. This is often called a POA coupled with interest. It is a legal question, so take advice if you face it.

Remember that the POA also ends on the death of the principal. An agent cannot use it afterwards.

06Sample power of attorney format

The text below is a simple Special POA you can adapt. It is a starting point, not legal advice. Have a lawyer check it before use, and use the stamp paper your state requires.

SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
This Special Power of Attorney is made at [place] on [date].
BY: [Principal name], [son/daughter/wife of ...], aged [age], residing at [address], ID [type and number] (the "Principal").
IN FAVOUR OF: [Agent name], [son/daughter/wife of ...], aged [age], residing at [address], ID [type and number] (the "Attorney").
WHEREAS the Principal is unable to be present in person for the purpose below, and trusts the Attorney, the Principal appoints the Attorney as follows.
1. The Attorney may, for and in the name of the Principal, [describe the single act clearly, for example: appear before the Sub-Registrar of ____ and present for registration the sale deed dated ____ relating to the property at ____].
2. The Attorney may sign applications, affidavits and receipts needed for this act, and receive documents back.
3. The Attorney shall not sell, mortgage or gift any property of the Principal under this document, and shall not do any act beyond paragraph 1.
4. This authority is valid from [date] to [date], unless revoked earlier in writing.
5. The Principal agrees to accept all acts done by the Attorney within these powers.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Principal has signed this document on the date above.
Principal: ______ Attorney (accepting): ______
Witness 1: ______ (name, address) Witness 2: ______ (name, address)

For a General POA, widen paragraph 1 into a numbered list of specific powers, and keep paragraph 3 to hold back the powers you do not want to give.

07Where Claw fits

Claw is an all-in-one legaltech platform for Indian advocates, law firms, and corporate legal teams, combining AI-based case search, an AI legal assistant (Legal GPT), case management, and compliance automation across all Indian courts and tribunals.

A POA is a document, and Claw is not a form factory, so it will not replace a lawyer’s judgment on stamping and registration. Where it helps is the day-to-day legal work around it. Advocates and legal teams can use Claw’s AI drafting and clause tools to prepare a first draft of a POA or a revocation deed, and Claw case management to keep documents and dates for the matter in one place. Claw has a free plan for individual advocates, and paid plans for teams. Claw does not use customer case documents to train AI models.

If you manage property matters at scale, see how teams track them in RERA case management software.

08Sources and further reading

Powers of Attorney Act, 1882, Indian Contract Act, 1872, Registration Act, 1908 and Indian Stamp Act, 1899: India Code
Suraj Lamp & Industries Pvt Ltd v State of Haryana (2012) 1 SCC 656: Supreme Court of India
Claw: clawlaw.in

Stamp duty and registration rules vary by state and change by notification. Confirm with your state stamp office or sub-registrar before you execute. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

09Frequently asked questions

What is a power of attorney?

It is a written document where one person (the principal) authorises another (the agent) to act for them. A General POA covers broad acts, a Special POA covers a specific act, and a POA dealing with immovable property usually needs registration and stamp duty.

What is the difference between a General and a Special power of attorney?

A General POA gives wide powers over many matters, such as banking and rent. A Special POA is limited to one act or matter, such as selling one flat or appearing in one case. A Special POA is safer when you need only one thing done.

Does a power of attorney need to be registered?

A POA that gives power to sell or deal in immovable property is usually registered at the sub-registrar office, and many states require it. A simple POA for bank or tax work often does not need registration but still needs correct stamp paper. Rules vary by state, so confirm locally.

How much stamp duty is payable on a POA?

It depends on the state, the type of POA and whether it covers sale of property. Some states charge a small fixed amount, others charge a percentage of value in certain cases. Check your state stamp office or e-stamping portal for the current figure.

Can I buy property with just a power of attorney?

No. The Supreme Court held in Suraj Lamp v State of Haryana (2012) that a GPA, agreement to sell and will do not transfer title to immovable property. Title passes only through a registered sale deed.

How do I cancel a power of attorney?

Sign a deed of revocation on the correct stamp paper, register it if the original was registered, and send written notice to the agent and any third party who relied on it. A POA also ends on the death of the principal.