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FREE TEMPLATE / PERSONAL, FAMILY AND LEGAL

Last Will and Testament (India)

A simple will for a person in India. It records the testator's details and that the will is made in sound mind and of free will, the family, an executor, who receives particular movable and immovable property, with a schedule describing the immovable property, and who receives the rest, and revokes earlier wills. It is attested by two witnesses.

For India.

Download the free PDF

This page lists how to sign it in India. See how it is signed

First page of the Last Will and Testament (India) template
PDF, 3 pages, 15 KB
THE DOCUMENT

What it covers

The template has 10 parts.

  1. Declaration
  2. Earlier wills
  3. My family
  4. Executor
  5. Immovable property
  6. Movable property
  7. Residue
  8. Schedule of immovable property
  9. Signature of the testator
  10. Attestation
BEFORE YOU START

What you will be asked

Have these details ready. The template needs them before anyone signs.

  • What is your full name?
  • What is your father's name, or your husband's name if you are a married woman?
  • How old are you?
  • What is your full home address, with the PIN code?
  • In which state or union territory do you live?
  • Who are the members of your family? Give each person's name, relationship and age.
  • Whom do you appoint as executor, to carry out this will? Give their full name and address.
  • Who should be executor if that person cannot or will not act? Give a full name and address, or say none.Optional
  • Which land, house or flat do you leave, and to whom? Say which item of the property schedule goes to each person, or say none.Optional
  • Which bank accounts, deposits, shares, gold or other movable things do you leave, and to whom? Say none if you leave them all with the rest of your property.Optional
  • Who should receive anything you own that this will does not mention?
  • Describe each land, house or flat as its title deed does: the address, survey or door number, extent and boundaries. Say none if you own no land or building.Optional
  • In which town or city will you sign the will?
THE PEOPLE

Who signs

Everyone the template names, and what each one does.

  • TestatorSigns
  • First attesting witnessWitness
  • Second attesting witnessWitness
SIGNING RULES

How it is signed in India

The rules for a last will and testament depend on where it is signed. Laws change, so check the sources before anyone signs.

India

Print and sign in ink

Print it and sign it in ink in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.

Steps

  1. Print the will on plain paper.
  2. Sign every page and the end in front of two witnesses.
  3. Both witnesses sign in your presence.
  4. Register it with the sub-registrar if you want, and keep the original safe.

What the law asks for

E-signature
Not acceptedThe Information Technology Act 2000 First Schedule leaves wills out, so a will is signed on paper.
Witnesses
TwoTwo witnesses each see the testator sign and sign in the testator's presence (Indian Succession Act 1925 section 63).
Notary
Not neededA notary is not needed.
Remote signing
Not available
Registration
OptionalRegistration with the sub-registrar is optional and helps prove the will (Registration Act 1908 section 18).
Stamp duty
Not neededNo stamp duty is payable on a will.

Sources

Checked 25 October 2026 against these sources.

QUESTIONS

Common questions

Answers from the signing rules on this page.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in India?

No. An electronic signature is not accepted for it in India. The Information Technology Act 2000 First Schedule leaves wills out, so a will is signed on paper.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in India?

Two witnesses. Two witnesses each see the testator sign and sign in the testator's presence (Indian Succession Act 1925 section 63).

Does the last will and testament need a notary in India?

No. No notary is needed. A notary is not needed.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in India?

No. Registration is optional. Registration with the sub-registrar is optional and helps prove the will (Registration Act 1908 section 18).

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in India?

No stamp duty is due. No stamp duty is payable on a will.

Can the last will and testament be signed or witnessed remotely in India?

No.

THE RIGHT TEMPLATE

Where it fits

For a person in India whose will is governed by the Indian Succession Act 1925, which covers Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis. Not for a Muslim testator, whose will follows Muslim personal law.

A CAREFUL CHECK

Before you rely on it

Original Centilio wording, not legal advice. A will under the Indian Succession Act 1925, signed by the testator and attested by two witnesses as section 63 requires. It suits Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, who may also leave their share in joint family property under section 30 of the Hindu Succession Act 1956, and Christians and Parsis. It is not for a Muslim testator, whose will follows Muslim personal law and is generally limited to one third of the estate. A will needs no stamp paper and attracts no stamp duty. Registration with the sub-registrar under the Registration Act 1908 is optional, but a registered will is harder to dispute. A bequest to an attesting witness or a witness's spouse is void (section 67), so choose witnesses who receive nothing. Probate is compulsory for some wills made in, or dealing with immovable property in, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai (sections 57 and 213). A doctor's certificate of sound mind helps when the testator is elderly or unwell. See an advocate for agricultural land, property abroad, trusts or a family business.