ICA Section 4: Communication when complete
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 1: Communication, Acceptance and Revocation of Proposals
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4. Communication when complete . The communication of a proposal is complete when it comes to the knowledge of the person to whom it is made.
The communication of an acceptance is complete. -
as against the proposer, when it is put in a course of transmission to him, so as to be out of the power of the acceptor;
as against the acceptor, when it comes to the, knowledge, of the proposer.
The communication of a revocation is complete. -
as against the person who makes it, when it is put into a course of transmission to the person to whom it is made, so as "to be out of the power of the person who makes it;
as against the person. to whom it is made, when it comes. to his knowledge.
Illustrations
(a) A proposes, by letter, to sell a house to B at a certain price. The communication of the proposal is complete when B receives the letter.
(b) B accepts A's proposal by a letter sent by post. The communication of the acceptance is complete, as against A when the letter is posted as against B, when the letter is received by A.
(c) A revokes his proposal by telegram. The revocation is complete as against A when the telegram is despatched. It is complete as against B when B receives it. B revokes his acceptance by telegram. B's revocation is complete as against B when the telegram is despatched, and as against A when it reaches him.
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.