Agreement contingent on impossible events void
Section 36 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 deals with agreement contingent on impossible events void. Contingent agreements to do or not to do anything, if an impossible event happens, are void, whether the impossibility of the event is known or not to the parties to the agreement at the time when it is made. The Act came into force on 01 Sep 1872.
Contingent agreements to do or not to do anything, if an impossible event happens, are void, whether the impossibility of the event is known or not to the parties to the agreement at the time when it is made.
Illustrations
(a) A agrees to pay B 1,000 rupees if two straight lines should enclose a space. The agreement is void.
(b) A agrees to pay B 1,000 rupees if B will marry A's daughter C. C was dead at the time of the agreement. The agreement is void.
Section 36, The Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Act 9 of 1872).
Questions about Section 36
What does Section 36 of the Indian Contract Act deal with?
Section 36 of the Indian Contract Act is headed "Agreement contingent on impossible events void". Contingent agreements to do or not to do anything, if an impossible event happens, are void, whether the impossibility of the event is known or not to the parties to the agreement at the time when it is made.
How do I find court cases under Section 36 of the Indian Contract Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Contract Act 36, section 36 Contract Act, section 36 of the Indian Contract Act. People searching for it also type contract act 1872 section 36. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 36 of the Indian Contract Act come into force?
Section 36 of the Indian Contract Act, cited as Contract Act 36, came into force on 01 Sep 1872, having been enacted on 25 Apr 1872. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 73. Compensation for loss or damage caused by breach of contract1822 words
- 23. What considerations and objects are lawful, and what not596 words
- 74. Compensation for breach of contract where penalty stipulated for577 words
- 28. Agreements in restraint of legal proceeding void512 words
- 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 law423 words
- 16. "Undue influence" defined397 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.