Section 29

Agreements void for uncertainty.

The Indian Contract Act, 1872

  • Act 9 of 1872
  • Ministry of Law and Justice
  • Legislative Department
All sections
    Agreements, the meaning of which is not certain, or capable of being made certain, are void.
Illustrations
    (a) A agrees to sell to B "a hundred tons of oil". There is nothing whatever to show what kind of oil was intended. The agreement is void for uncertainty.
    (b) A agrees to sell to B one hundred tons of oil of a specified description, known as an article of commerce. There is no uncertainty here to make the agreement void.
    (c) A, who is a dealer in cocoanut-oil only, agrees to sell to B "one hundred tons of oil. The nature of A"s trade affords an indication of the meaning of the words, and A has entered into a contract for the sale of one hundred tons of cocoanut-oil.
    (d) A agrees to sell to B "all the grain in my granary at Ramnagar". There is no uncertainty here to make the agreement void.
    (e) A agrees to sell B "one thousand maunds of rice at a price to be fixed by C". As the price is capable of being made certain, there is no uncertainty here to make the agreement void.
    (f) A agrees to sell to B "my white horse for rupees five hundred or rupees one thousand". There is nothing to show which of the two prices was to be given. The agreement is void.

Source: India Code (Legislative Department, Govt. of India). Check the official Gazette before relying on it in court. Not legal advice. Free legal aid: 15100 (NALSA) · Know your rights

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