EMPLOYMENT & HR

Consultant / Independent Contractor Agreement

Use when you engage an individual or firm for defined deliverables rather than as an employee. Because consultants are not covered by the "employer owns it" rule in copyright law, this agreement includes the written assignment needed for you to own the work.

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First party (your business) *

First party entity type

First party registered address *

First party signatory & designation *

Second party *

Second party entity type

Second party address *

Second party signatory & designation *

Services / deliverables *

Start date *

Term (months)

Fees (₹) *

Fee basis

Payment within (days of invoice)

Termination notice (days)

Courts / seat of arbitration (city) *

Place *

Date *

Laws this relies on

Indian Contract Act, 1872Governs the principal-to-principal engagement, payment and termination.
Copyright Act, 1957 · Section 17(c)Employer is first owner only for work made under a contract of service — not for consultants.
Copyright Act, 1957 · Sections 18–19Assignment of copyright must be in writing, signed, and identify the work, rights, duration and territory.
Income-tax ActApplicable TDS must be deducted on professional or technical fees under the Income-tax Act in force.
Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017A GST-registered consultant must issue a tax invoice charging GST.

How to execute

Print on non-judicial stamp paper of the value your state requires (or e-stamp), then sign with witnesses.

Print on non-judicial stamp paper (duty varies by state) and sign on every page. Avoid fixed hours, attendance or close supervision in practice — those features can make the consultant look like an employee.

Click anywhere in the letter to edit it. Changes to the form keep flowing in.

This is a general template, not legal advice. Laws, stamp duty and procedures vary by state and change over time — have a qualified advocate review it for your facts before signing or sending.