Revocation of proposals and acceptances
Section 5 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 deals with revocation of proposals and acceptances. A proposal may be revoked at any time before the communication of its acceptance is complete as against the proposer, but not afterwards. The Act came into force on 01 Sep 1872.
A proposal may be revoked at any time before the communication of its acceptance is complete as against the proposer, but not afterwards.
An acceptance may be revoked at any time before the communication of the acceptance is complete as against the acceptor, but not afterwards.
Illustration
A proposes, by a letter sent by post, to sell his house to B.
B accepts the proposal by a letter sent by post.
A may revoke his proposal at any time before or at the moment when B posts his letter of acceptance, but not afterwards.
B may revoke his acceptance at any time before or at the moment when the letter communicating it reaches A, but not afterwards.
STATE AMENDMENT
Uttar Pradesh.--
Amendment of section 5 of Act (9 of 1872).--In section 5 of Indian contract Act, 1872, hereinafter in this Chapter referred to as the principal Act, at the end of the first paragraph, the following explanation shall inserted, namely:--
"Explanation--Where an invitation to a proposal contains a condition that any proposal made in response to such invitation shall be kept open for a specified time and a proposal is thereupon made accepting such condition, such proposal may not be revoked within such time."
[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act, 57 of 1976, s. 2]
Section 5, The Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Act 9 of 1872).
Questions about Section 5
What does Section 5 of the Indian Contract Act deal with?
Section 5 of the Indian Contract Act is headed "Revocation of proposals and acceptances". A proposal may be revoked at any time before the communication of its acceptance is complete as against the proposer, but not afterwards.
How do I find court cases under Section 5 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 5, section 5 Contract Act, section 5 of the Indian Contract Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 5 of the Indian Contract Act come into force?
Section 5 of the Indian Contract Act, cited as Contract Act 5, 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.