Can I hold NRE and NRO accounts jointly with a resident Indian relative?

Yes, but the rules differ by account type under RBI guidelines. An NRE account can be held jointly with a resident close relative only on a 'former or survivor' basis, meaning the resident can operate it only after the NRI passes away. Two NRIs can hold an NRE account jointly with full operating rights. An NRO account is more flexible and can be held jointly with a resident on an ordinary 'either or survivor' basis, so your parent in India can transact on it while you're abroad. Confirm the exact mandate with your bank, because a joint holder who is a US person may create US reporting obligations for that person. If your goal is letting parents access funds, an NRO joint account is usually the cleaner route.