The Indian Contract Act, 1872

Central Act · Act 9 of 1872200 provisions428 citing judgments

The enactment

Full text, provision by provision

Every provision below opens in full, free and without an account.

• Section 1 Short title.1 citing judgment
• Section 2 Interpretation-clause.17 citing judgments
• Section 3 Communication, acceptance and revocation of proposals.5 citing judgments
• Section 4 Communication when complete.6 citing judgments
• Section 5 Revocation of proposals and acceptances.6 citing judgments
• Section 6 Revocation how made.1 citing judgment
• Section 7 Acceptance must be absolute.20 citing judgments
• Section 8 Acceptance by performing conditions, or receiving consideration.5 citing judgments
• Section 9 Promises, express and implied.5 citing judgments
• Section 10 What agreements are contracts.8 citing judgments
• Section 11 Who are competent to contract.17 citing judgments
• Section 12 What is a sound mind for the purposes of contracting.7 citing judgments
• Section 13 "Consent" defined.4 citing judgments
• Section 14 "Free consent" defined.7 citing judgments
• Section 15 "Coercion" defined.5 citing judgments
• Section 16 "Undue influence" defined.9 citing judgments
• Section 17 "Fraud" defined.12 citing judgments
• Section 18 "Misrepresentation" defined.8 citing judgments
• Section 19 Voidability of agreements without free consent.12 citing judgments
• Section 19A Power to set aside contract induced by undue influence.1 citing judgment
• Section 20 Agreement void where both parties are under mistake as to matter of fact.8 citing judgments
• Section 21 Effect of mistakes as to law.6 citing judgments
• Section 22 Contract caused by mistake of one party as to matter of fact.5 citing judgments
• Section 23 What considerations and objects are lawful, and what not.20 citing judgments
• Section 24 Agreement void, if considerations and objects unlawful in part.6 citing judgments
• Section 25 Agreement without consideration, void, unless it is in writing and registered, or is a promise to compensate for something done, or is a promise to pay a debt barred by limitation…12 citing judgments
• Section 26 Agreement in restraint of marriage, void.2 citing judgments
• Section 27 Agreement in restraint of trade, void.4 citing judgments
• Section 28 Agreements in restraint of legal proceeding void.20 citing judgments
• Section 29 Agreements void for uncertainty.3 citing judgments
• Section 30 Agreements by way of wager, void.2 citing judgments
• Section 31 "Contingent contract" defined.7 citing judgments
• Section 32 Enforcement of contracts contingent on an event happening.4 citing judgments
• Section 33 Enforcement of contracts contingent on an event not happening.1 citing judgment
• Section 34 When event on which contract is contingent to be deemed impossible, if it is the future conduct of a living person.7 citing judgments
• Section 35 When contracts become void which are contingent on happening of specified event within fixed time . When contracts may be enforced, which are contingent on specified event not hap…
• Section 36 Agreement contingent on impossible events void.2 citing judgments
• Section 37 Obligation of parties to contracts.2 citing judgments
• Section 38 Effect of refusal to accept offer of performance.1 citing judgment
• Section 39 Effect of refusal of party to perform promise wholly.2 citing judgments
• Section 40 Person by whom promise is to be performed.
• Section 42 Devolution of joint liabilities.
• Section 43 Any one of joint promisors may be compelled to perform.1 citing judgment
• Section 44 Effect of release of one joint promisor.
• Section 45 Devolution of joint rights.3 citing judgments
• Section 46 Time for performance of promise, when no application is to be made and no time is specified.
• Section 47 Time and place for performance of promise1 citing judgment
• Section 48 Application for performance on certain day to be at proper time and place.
• Section 49 Place for performance of promise, where no application to be made and no place fixed for performance.1 citing judgment
• Section 50 Performance in manner or at time prescribed or sanctioned by promise.
• Section 51 Promisor not bound to perform, unless reciprocal promisee ready and willing to perform.1 citing judgment
• Section 52 Order of performance of reciprocal promises.
• Section 53 Liability of party preventing event on which the contract is to take effect.
• Section 54 Effect of default as to that promise which should be first performed, in contract consisting of reciprocal promises.
• Section 55 Effect of failure to perform at fixed time, in contract in which time is essential.5 citing judgments
• Section 56 Agreement to do impossible act.4 citing judgments
• Section 57 Reciprocal promise to do things legal, and also other things illegal.
• Section 58 Alternative promise, one branch being illegal.1 citing judgment
• Section 59 Application of payment where debt to be discharged is indicated.1 citing judgment
• Section 60 Application of payment where debt to be discharged is not indicated.5 citing judgments
• Section 61 Application of payment where neither party appropriates.2 citing judgments
• Section 62 Effect of novation, rescission, and alteration of contract.11 citing judgments
• Section 63 Promise may dispense with or remit performance of promise.7 citing judgments
• Section 64 Consequences of rescission of voidable contract.2 citing judgments
• Section 65 Obligation of person who has received advantage under void agreement, or contract that becomes void.6 citing judgments
• Section 66 Mode of communicating or revoking rescission of voidable contract.
• Section 67 Effect of neglect of promisee to afford promisor reasonable facilities for performance.
• Section 68 Claim for necessaries supplied to person incapable of contracting, or on his account.
• Section 69 Reimbursement of person paying money due by another, in payment of which he is interested.
• Section 70 Obligation of person enjoying benefit of non-gratuitous act.
• Section 71 Responsibility of finder of goods.
• Section 72 Liability of person to whom money is paid, or thing delivered, by mistake or under coercion.
• Section 73 Compensation for loss or damage caused by breach of contract.9 citing judgments
• Section 74 Compensation for breach of contract where penalty stipulated for.8 citing judgments
• Section 75 Party rightfully rescinding contract, entitled to compensation.
• Section 79 Repealed.
• Section 80 Repealed.
• Section 82 Repealed.1 citing judgment
• Section 87 Repealed.
• Section 96 Repealed.4 citing judgments
• Section 97 Repealed.
• Section 100 Repealed.
• Section 103 Repealed.
• Section 113 Repealed.1 citing judgment
• Section 119 Repealed.
• Section 124 "Contract of indemnity" defined2 citing judgments
• Section 125 Rights of indemnity-holder when sued.
• Section 126 "Contract of guarantee", "surety", "principal debtor" and "creditor".4 citing judgments
• Section 127 Consideration for guarantee.1 citing judgment
• Section 128 Surety's liability.4 citing judgments
• Section 129 "Continuing guarantee".
• Section 130 Revocation of continuing guarantee.
• Section 132 Liability of two persons, primarily liable, not affected by arrangement between them that one shall be surety on others default.
• Section 133 Discharge of surety by variance in terms of contract.3 citing judgments
• Section 134 Discharge of surety by release or discharge of principal debtor.2 citing judgments
• Section 135 Discharge of surety when creditor compounds with, gives time to, or agrees not to sue, principal debtor.2 citing judgments
• Section 136 Surety not discharged when agreement made with third person to give time to principal debtor.2 citing judgments
• Section 137 Creditor's forbearance to sue does not discharge surety.2 citing judgments
• Section 138 Release of one co-surety does not discharge others.5 citing judgments
• Section 139 Discharge of surety of creditor's act or omission impairing surety's eventual remedy.2 citing judgments
• Section 140 Rights of surety on payment or performance.4 citing judgments
• Section 141 Surety's right to benefit of creditor's securities.1 citing judgment
• Section 142 Guarantee obtained by misrepresentation invalid.
• Section 143 Guarantee obtained by concealment invalid.
• Section 144 Guarantee on contract that creditor shall not act on it until co-surety joins.
• Section 145 Implied promise to indemnify surety.1 citing judgment
• Section 146 Co-sureties liable to contribute equally.
• Section 147 Liability of co-sureties bound in different sums.
• Section 148 "Bailment", "bailor" and "bailee" defined.2 citing judgments
• Section 149 Delivery to bailee how made.1 citing judgment
• Section 150 Bailor's duty to disclose faults in goods bailed.
• Section 151 Care to be taken by bailee.1 citing judgment
• Section 152 Bailee when not liable for loss, etc., of thing bailed.1 citing judgment
• Section 153 Termination of bailment by bailee's act inconsistent with conditions.
• Section 154 Liability of bailee making unauthorized use of goods bailed.
• Section 155 Effect of mixture, with bailor's consent, of his goods with bailee's.1 citing judgment
• Section 156 Effect of mixture, without bailor's consent, when the good can be separated.1 citing judgment
• Section 157 Effect of mixture, without bailor's consent, when the goods cannot be separated.1 citing judgment
• Section 158 Repayment, by bailor, of necessary expenses.
• Section 159 Restoration of goods lent gratuitously.
• Section 160 Return of goods bailed, on expiration of time or accomplishment of purpose.1 citing judgment
• Section 161 Bailee's responsibility when goods are not duly returned.1 citing judgment
• Section 162 Termination of gratuitous bailment by death.
• Section 163 Bailor entitled to increase or profit from goods bailed.2 citing judgments
• Section 164 Bailor's responsibility to bailee.
• Section 165 Bailment by several joint owners.1 citing judgment
• Section 166 Bailee not responsible on re-delivery to bailor without title.
• Section 167 Right of third person claiming goods bailed.
• Section 168 Right of finder of goods.
• Section 169 When finder of thing commonly on sale may sell it.
• Section 170 Bailee's particular lien.1 citing judgment
• Section 171 General lien of bankers, factors, wharfingers, attorneys and policy-brokers.2 citing judgments
• Section 172 "Pledge", "Pawnor" and "Pawnee" defined.2 citing judgments
• Section 173 Pawnee's right of retainer.
• Section 174 Pawnee not to retain for debt or promise other than that for which goods pledged.1 citing judgment
• Section 175 Pawnee's right as to extraordinary expenses incurred.
• Section 176 Pawnee's right where pawnor makes default.1 citing judgment
• Section 177 Defaulting pawnor's right to redeem.
• Section 178 Pledge by mercantile agent.
• Section 178A Pledge by person in possession under voidable contract.
• Section 179 Pledge where pawnor has only a limited interest.
• Section 180 Suit by bailor or bailee against wrong-doer.
• Section 181 Apportionment of relief or compensation obtained by such suits.
• Section 182 "Agent" and "principal" defined.2 citing judgments
• Section 183 Who may employ agent.
• Section 184 Who may be an agent.
• Section 187 Definitions of express and implied authority.1 citing judgment
• Section 188 Extent of agent's authority.2 citing judgments
• Section 189 Agent's authority in an emergency.
• Section 190 When agent cannot delegate.
• Section 191 "Sub-agent" defined.
• Section 192 Representation of principal by sub-agent properly appointed.
• Section 193 Agent's responsibility for sub-agent appointed without authority.
• Section 194 Relation between principal and person duly appointed by agent to act in business of agency.1 citing judgment
• Section 195 Agent's duty in naming such person.
• Section 196 Right of person as to acts done for him without his authority.
• Section 197 Ratification may be expressed or implied.
• Section 198 Knowledge requisite for valid ratification.
• Section 200 Ratification of unauthorized act cannot injure third person.
• Section 201 Termination of agency.6 citing judgments
• Section 202 Termination of agency, where agent has an interest in subject-matter.6 citing judgments
• Section 203 When principal may revoke agent's authority.
• Section 204 Revocation where authority has been partly exercised.
• Section 205 Compensation for revocation by principal, or renunciation by agent.
• Section 206 Notice of revocation or renunciation.
• Section 207 Revocation and renunciation may be expressed or implied.1 citing judgment
• Section 208 When termination of agent's authority takes effect as to agent, and as to third persons.2 citing judgments
• Section 209 Agent's duty on termination of agency by principal's death or insanity.2 citing judgments
• Section 210 Termination of sub-agent's authority.
• Section 211 Agent's duty in conducting principal's business.
• Section 212 Skill and diligence required from agent.
• Section 213 Agent's accounts.
• Section 214 Agent's duty to communicate with principal.
• Section 215 Right of principal when agent deals, on his own account, in business of agency without principals consent.
• Section 216 Principal's right to benefit gained by agent dealing on his own account in business of agency.
• Section 217 Agent's right of retainer out of sums received on principal's account.
• Section 218 Agent's duty to pay sums received for principal.
• Section 219 When agent's remuneration becomes due.1 citing judgment
• Section 220 Agent not entitled to remuneration for business misconducted.
• Section 221 Agent's lien on principal's property.1 citing judgment
• Section 222 Agent to be indemnified against consequences of lawful acts.
• Section 223 Agent to be indemnified against consequences of acts done in good faith.
• Section 224 Non-liability of employer of agent to do a criminal act.
• Section 225 Compensation to agent for injury caused by principal's neglect.
• Section 226 Enforcement and consequences of agent's contracts.
• Section 227 Principal how far bound, when agent exceeds authority.
• Section 228 Principal not bound when excess of agent's authority is not separable.
• Section 229 Consequences of notice given to agent.1 citing judgment
• Section 230 Agent cannot personally enforce, nor be bound by, contracts on behalf of principal.2 citing judgments
• Section 231 Rights of parties to a contract made by agent not disclosed.
• Section 232 Performance of contract with agent supposed to be principal.
• Section 233 Right of person dealing with agent personally liable.
• Section 234 Consequence of inducing agent or principal to act on belief that principal or agent will be held exclusively liable.
• Section 235 Liability of pretended agent.
• Section 236 Person falsely contracting as agent, not entitled to performance.
• Section 237 Liability of principal inducing belief that agent's unauthorized acts were authorized.1 citing judgment
• Section 238 Effect, on agreement, of misrepresentation or fraud by agent.
• Section 246 Repealed..
• Section 247 Repealed..
• Section 254 Repealed..