ICA Section 36: Agreement contingent on impossible events void
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 3: Contingent Contracts
Read the chapter guide and take the quiz →
36. 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.
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.
Official reference: India Code, Legislative Department — checked: 29 September 2026.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 31. "Contingent contract" defined
- 32. Enforcement of contracts contingent on an event happening
- 33. Enforcement of contracts contingent on an event not happening
- 34. When event on which contract is contingent to be deemed impossible, if it is the future conduct of a living person
- 35. When contracts become void which are contingent on happening of specified event within fixed time