Under the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, an appointment by the mother is valid when:

Section 9(3) and (4) of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 confine the mother's power of testamentary appointment to a mother "entitled to act as the natural guardian" of the children concerned. An appointment by a mother who lacks that entitlement has no effect, and the Act does not make court approval or the consent of the father's family the test.