Section 25 – THE INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872

Anagreement made without consideration is void, unless—
(1) it is expressed in writing and registered under the law for the time being in force for the
registration of 1
[documents], and is made on account of natural love and affection between parties
standing in a near relation to each other ; or unless
(2) it is a promise to compensate, wholly or in part, a person who has already voluntarily done
something for the promisor, or something which the promisor was legally compellable to do; or
unless;
(3) it is a promise, made in writing and signed by the person to be charged therewith, or by his
agent generally or specially authorized in that behalf, to pay wholly or in part a debt of which the
creditor might have enforced payment but for the law for the limitation of suits.
In any of these cases, such an agreement is a contract.
Explanation 1.—Nothing in this section shall affect the validity, as between the donor and donee, of
any gift actually made.

Explanation 2.—An agreement to which the consent of the promisor is freely given is not void
merely because the consideration is inadequate; but the inadequacy of the consideration may be taken into
account by the Court in determining the question whether the consent of the promisor was freely given.
Illustrations
(a) A promises, for no consideration, to give to B Rs. 1,000. This is a void agreement.
(b) A, for natural love and affection, promises to give his son, B, Rs. 1,000. A puts his promise to B into writing and
registers it. This is a contract.
(c) A finds B‟s purse and gives it to him. B promises to give A Rs. 50. This is a contract.
(d) A supports B‟s infant son. B promises to pay A‟s expenses in so doing. This is a contract.
(e) A owes B Rs. 1,000, but the debt is barred by the Limitation Act. A signs a written promise to pay B Rs. 500 on account
of the debt. This is a contract.
(f) A agrees to sell a horse worth Rs. 1,000 for Rs. 10. A‟s consent to the agreement was freely given. The agreement is a
contract notwithstanding the inadequacy of the consideration.
(g) A agrees to sell a horse worth Rs. 1,000 for Rs. 10. A denies that his consent to the agreement was freely given.
The inadequacy of the consideration is a fact which the Court should take into account in considering whether or not A‟s
consent was freely given