diff --git a/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.html b/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.html
index e12cd5e8e..4049ae1ca 100644
--- a/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.html
+++ b/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.html
@@ -62,6 +62,22 @@
     </div>
   }
 
+  <!-- Mother requirement — shown independently of the Father/Caretaker check below -->
+  @if (!nomineeOnly && clientFamilyMembers.length > 0 && !hasMother) {
+    <div class="fm-step__empty fm-step__empty--required">
+      <mat-icon class="fm-step__empty-icon">error_outline</mat-icon>
+      <span class="fm-step__empty-required">Mother is required.</span>
+    </div>
+  }
+
+  <!-- Father-or-Caretaker requirement — shown independently of the Mother check above -->
+  @if (!nomineeOnly && clientFamilyMembers.length > 0 && !hasFather && !hasCaretaker) {
+    <div class="fm-step__empty fm-step__empty--required">
+      <mat-icon class="fm-step__empty-icon">error_outline</mat-icon>
+      <span class="fm-step__empty-required">Either Father or a Caretaker is required.</span>
+    </div>
+  }
+
   <!-- Spouse hint for married clients -->
   @if (!nomineeOnly && isMarried && !hasSpouse) {
     <div class="fm-spouse-hint">
diff --git a/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.ts b/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.ts
index b322a56b1..d324ac254 100644
--- a/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/clients/client-stepper/client-family-members-step/client-family-members-step.component.ts
@@ -223,6 +223,33 @@ export class ClientFamilyMembersStepComponent implements OnInit {
     return this.clientFamilyMembers.length > 0;
   }
 
+  /** True if a family member with the given relationship (case-insensitive) has been added */
+  private hasRelationship(name: string): boolean {
+    const target = name.toLowerCase();
+    return this.clientFamilyMembers.some((m: any) => {
+      const resolved = this.getRelName(m.relationshipId ?? m.relationship).toLowerCase();
+      if (resolved === target) return true;
+      return typeof m.relationship === 'string' && m.relationship.toLowerCase() === target;
+    });
+  }
+
+  get hasMother(): boolean {
+    return this.hasRelationship('mother');
+  }
+
+  get hasFather(): boolean {
+    return this.hasRelationship('father');
+  }
+
+  get hasCaretaker(): boolean {
+    return this.hasRelationship('caretaker');
+  }
+
+  /** Mother is always required; Father is required unless a Caretaker has been added instead. */
+  get familyRelationshipRulesMet(): boolean {
+    return this.hasMother && (this.hasFather || this.hasCaretaker);
+  }
+
   /** Check if client's marital status is "Married" */
   get isMarried(): boolean {
     if (!this.maritalStatusId || !this.maritalStatusOptions?.length) return false;
diff --git a/src/app/clients/create-client/create-client.component.ts b/src/app/clients/create-client/create-client.component.ts
index 8a0e00863..a71575059 100644
--- a/src/app/clients/create-client/create-client.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/clients/create-client/create-client.component.ts
@@ -238,8 +238,8 @@ export class CreateClientComponent {
         return this.isAddressStepValid();
       }
       if (idx === 3) {
-        // Family tab — relations are optional, always allow.
-        return true;
+        // Family tab — Mother is required, and either Father or a Caretaker.
+        return !this.clientFamilyMembersStep || this.clientFamilyMembersStep.familyRelationshipRulesMet;
       }
     }
     return true;
@@ -273,6 +273,11 @@ export class CreateClientComponent {
         return `Please fill/correct: ${labels.join(', ')}.`;
       }
     }
+    if (idx === 3 && this.legalFormType === 1 && this.clientFamilyMembersStep) {
+      const step = this.clientFamilyMembersStep;
+      if (!step.hasMother) return 'Mother is required as a family member.';
+      if (!step.hasFather && !step.hasCaretaker) return 'Either Father or a Caretaker is required as a family member.';
+    }
     return 'Please fill all mandatory fields on this tab to continue.';
   }
 
@@ -569,6 +574,21 @@ export class CreateClientComponent {
       this.selectedTabIndex = 3;
       return;
     }
+    // Validate: Mother required, and either Father or a Caretaker (Individual clients)
+    if (
+      this.legalFormType === 1 &&
+      this.clientFamilyMembersStep &&
+      !this.clientFamilyMembersStep.familyRelationshipRulesMet
+    ) {
+      const step = this.clientFamilyMembersStep;
+      if (!step.hasMother) {
+        this.validationError = 'Mother is required as a family member.';
+      } else {
+        this.validationError = 'Either Father or a Caretaker is required as a family member.';
+      }
+      this.selectedTabIndex = 3;
+      return;
+    }
     this.validationError = '';
 
     if (this.createdClientId) {
diff --git a/src/app/clients/edit-client/edit-client.component.ts b/src/app/clients/edit-client/edit-client.component.ts
index fbfd360f7..b9c9f641e 100644
--- a/src/app/clients/edit-client/edit-client.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/clients/edit-client/edit-client.component.ts
@@ -287,14 +287,20 @@ export class EditClientComponent {
     if (this.legalFormType === 2) {
       if (idx === 2) return true; // Scheme & Sector — opt-in
       if (idx === 3) return this.isAddressStepValid();
-      if (idx === 4) return true; // Family — optional
+      if (idx === 4) return true; // Family — not applicable to non-individual entities
     } else {
       if (idx === 2) return this.isAddressStepValid();
-      if (idx === 3) return true; // Family — optional
+      if (idx === 3) return this.isFamilyStepValid(); // Mother required, plus Father or a Caretaker
     }
     return true;
   }
 
+  /** Mother is required, and either Father or a Caretaker, for individual clients. */
+  private isFamilyStepValid(): boolean {
+    const step = this.clientFamilyMembersStep;
+    return !step || step.familyRelationshipRulesMet;
+  }
+
   private isAddressStepValid(): boolean {
     const step = this.clientIndiaAddressStep;
     if (!step) return true;
@@ -318,6 +324,12 @@ export class EditClientComponent {
         return `Please fill/correct: ${labels.join(', ')}.`;
       }
     }
+    const familyTabIndex = this.legalFormType === 2 ? 4 : 3;
+    if (this.selectedTabIndex === familyTabIndex && this.legalFormType !== 2 && this.clientFamilyMembersStep) {
+      const step = this.clientFamilyMembersStep;
+      if (!step.hasMother) return 'Mother is required as a family member.';
+      if (!step.hasFather && !step.hasCaretaker) return 'Either Father or a Caretaker is required as a family member.';
+    }
     return 'Please fill all mandatory fields on this tab to continue.';
   }