Master Contract for India

Master Contract Template for India

A Master Contract is a comprehensive framework agreement governed by Indian law that establishes the overarching terms and conditions for future specific agreements between parties. It serves as an umbrella agreement that streamlines subsequent contracting processes by pre-establishing standard terms, governance mechanisms, and operational procedures. The document incorporates key provisions of Indian contract law, including requirements under the Indian Contract Act 1872, and typically includes detailed sections on dispute resolution, often incorporating arbitration under the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996. It's designed to provide both flexibility for future specific agreements while maintaining consistency in fundamental terms and risk allocation.

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What is a Master Contract?

The Master Contract serves as the primary governing document for establishing long-term business relationships between parties operating under Indian jurisdiction. It is particularly useful when parties anticipate multiple future transactions or ongoing business relationships that require a consistent legal framework. This contract type sets out the fundamental terms and conditions that will apply to all subsequent agreements, including key commercial terms, risk allocation, governance structures, and operational procedures. The Master Contract reduces negotiation time for future specific agreements while ensuring standardization across transactions. It incorporates essential elements required under Indian contract law and typically includes provisions for electronic execution under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The document is designed to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate various types of specific agreements while providing adequate protection for both parties' interests.

What sections should be included in a Master Contract?

1. Parties: Identification and details of the contracting parties, including registered addresses and company information

2. Background: Context of the agreement, relationship between parties, and purpose of the master contract

3. Definitions and Interpretation: Comprehensive definitions of terms used throughout the agreement and rules of interpretation

4. Scope of Agreement: Overall framework of the relationship and how specific agreements will operate under this master contract

5. Term and Renewal: Duration of the master agreement and conditions for renewal

6. Structure of Specific Agreements: Process for entering into specific agreements under the master contract and their relationship to the master terms

7. General Obligations: Core obligations of each party under the master relationship

8. Payment Terms: General framework for pricing, invoicing, and payment applicable across all specific agreements

9. Intellectual Property Rights: Ownership and usage rights of IP in the context of the master relationship

10. Confidentiality: Protection and handling of confidential information exchanged under the master contract and specific agreements

11. Data Protection and Privacy: Obligations regarding personal data handling and privacy compliance

12. Representations and Warranties: Standard representations and warranties made by each party

13. Indemnification: General indemnification obligations and procedures

14. Limitation of Liability: Limitations and caps on liability under the master contract and specific agreements

15. Force Majeure: Provisions for handling events beyond parties' reasonable control

16. Termination: Grounds and process for termination of the master contract and its effect on specific agreements

17. Dispute Resolution: Process for resolving disputes, including governing law, jurisdiction, and arbitration provisions

18. General Provisions: Standard boilerplate clauses including notices, assignment, amendment, and severability

What sections are optional to include in a Master Contract?

1. Compliance with Laws: Detailed compliance obligations when dealing with regulated industries or specific regulatory requirements

2. Insurance: Insurance requirements when specific activities require coverage

3. Service Levels: Framework for service level requirements when applicable to the business relationship

4. Audit Rights: Rights to audit when compliance or financial verification is important

5. Security Requirements: Specific security obligations when dealing with sensitive information or systems

6. Business Continuity: Business continuity and disaster recovery requirements for critical business relationships

7. Personnel: Requirements regarding personnel when services involve deployment of staff

8. Anti-Corruption and Ethics: Detailed anti-corruption provisions for international business or government contracts

9. Environmental Compliance: Environmental obligations for contracts involving manufacturing or environmental impacts

What schedules should be included in a Master Contract?

1. Schedule 1 - Contact Details and Notices: Key contacts and notice requirements for both parties

2. Schedule 2 - Form of Specific Agreement: Template or required format for specific agreements under the master contract

3. Schedule 3 - Pricing Framework: General pricing principles and mechanisms for specific agreements

4. Schedule 4 - Service/Product Categories: Categories of services or products that may be covered under specific agreements

5. Schedule 5 - Technical Requirements: Standard technical specifications or requirements applicable across specific agreements

6. Schedule 6 - Security and Compliance Requirements: Detailed security protocols and compliance requirements

7. Schedule 7 - Service Level Framework: Standard service level metrics and measurement methodology

8. Appendix A - Approved Subcontractors: List of pre-approved subcontractors if applicable

9. Appendix B - Standard Operating Procedures: Key operational procedures applicable across specific agreements

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

India

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Agreement Contract

Cost

Free to use
Clauses
Relevant Industries

Information Technology

Manufacturing

Professional Services

Telecommunications

Healthcare

Financial Services

Retail

Energy and Utilities

Logistics and Supply Chain

Construction

Pharmaceuticals

Automotive

Consumer Goods

Business Process Outsourcing

Relevant Teams

Legal

Procurement

Finance

Operations

Commercial

Risk and Compliance

Business Development

Strategy

Account Management

Corporate Affairs

Relevant Roles

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Legal Officer

General Counsel

Head of Legal

Commercial Director

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Procurement Manager

Contract Manager

Legal Counsel

Business Development Manager

Risk Manager

Compliance Officer

Operations Director

Account Director

Senior Legal Manager

Commercial Manager

Industries
Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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