Independent Contractor Agreement Template India

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT

This Independent Contractor Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of this [___] day of [___________], 20[__] (the "Effective Date"), by and between:

[___________], a company/individual organized and existing under the laws of India, having its principal place of business/residence at [________________________________________________] (hereinafter referred to as the "Company");

AND

[___________], an individual/entity having its principal place of business/residence at [________________________________________________] and holding GSTIN/PAN [___________] (hereinafter referred to as the "Contractor").

The Company and the Contractor may be referred to individually as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties."

1. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Contractor agrees to provide the services described in Annexure A (the "Services") to the Company. The Contractor shall perform the Services in a professional, timely, and workmanlike manner, adhering to the specifications provided by the Company.

2. TERM

This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until [___________] (the "Term"), unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

3. COMPENSATION

As full consideration for the Services rendered, the Company shall pay the Contractor [___________] (the "Fee") in accordance with the payment schedule set forth in Annexure A. The Contractor shall submit a valid tax invoice to the Company on a [Monthly/Milestone] basis. Payments shall be subject to applicable Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) as per the Income Tax Act, 1961.

4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS

The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of the Company. The Contractor shall not be entitled to any employee benefits, including but not limited to Provident Fund, Gratuity, or insurance coverage. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for all taxes, including GST, associated with the payments received hereunder.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

The Contractor acknowledges that during the engagement, they may have access to confidential information regarding the Company’s business, trade secrets, clients, and proprietary data. The Contractor agrees to maintain the strict confidentiality of all such information and shall not disclose it to any third party during or after the Term of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All work products, deliverables, inventions, or materials created, developed, or produced by the Contractor pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered "works made for hire" and shall remain the exclusive property of the Company. The Contractor hereby assigns all right, title, and interest in such work products to the Company.

7. TERMINATION

Either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing [___] days' prior written notice to the other Party. In the event of a material breach, the non-breaching Party may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

The Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or related to the Contractor’s performance under this Agreement, or any breach of the representations and warranties contained herein.

9. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes arising out of this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in [___________], India. Any dispute unresolved by negotiation shall be referred to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior understandings or agreements, whether written or oral.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

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FOR AND ON BEHALF OF [COMPANY NAME]:

Signature: __________________________ Name: [___________________________] Title: [____________________________]

CONTRACTOR:

Signature: __________________________ Name: [____________________________] Date: [____________________________]

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ANNEXURE A: SCOPE OF SERVICES AND PAYMENT TERMS

1. Description of Services: [________________________________________________________________________________]

2. Deliverables: [________________________________________________________________________________]

3. Payment Schedule: [________________________________________________________________________________]