Legislation checked · 26 June 2026 Not yet advocate-reviewed Execution steps not yet documented

Drafted by:: Lekha editorial team
Version:: v0.1
Last checked against current law:: 15 May 2026
Next scheduled review:: 15 November 2026

Statutory sources (5)

Indian Contract Act, 1872Official statuteofficial source
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006Official statuteofficial source
Sale of Goods Act, 1930Official statuteofficial source
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908Official statuteofficial source
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996Official statuteofficial source

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Generate a Freelancer / Independent Contractor Agreement for India, free. Project-based or ongoing freelancer agreement between a client and an individual freelancer or independent contractor. Covers project scope, milestones and deliverables, flat or milestone-based payment, TDS u/s 194J at 10%, GST applicability, IP/work-product ownership assigned to client, confidentiality, and revision policy. Lighter than a full MSA — ideal for creative, technical, and professional freelance work. Fill a guided online form and download as PDF or DOCX — no signup, no watermark, no cost.

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You can download the Freelancer / Independent Contractor Agreement as PDF, DOCX.

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Client details

Client / company name *

Client address *

Client signatory name & designation *

Freelancer details

Freelancer full name *

Freelancer address *

Freelancer PAN *

Freelancer GSTIN (if registered)

Type of work / skill

Project and deliverables

Project name / reference *

Project scope and deliverables *

Project start date *

Project / delivery deadline *

Revision rounds included

Payment

Payment model *

Total project fee / monthly rate (₹, excluding GST and TDS) *

Advance on signing (₹)

Payment milestones (if milestone-based)

GST applicable?

Yes — freelancer is GST registered (add 18% GST to fee)No — freelancer below GST threshold

IP and confidentiality

IP ownership of deliverables *

Confidentiality duration post-project

Freelancer portfolio rights

Yes — freelancer may display work in portfolio (unless client is confidential)No — client requires full confidentiality, no portfolio display

Jurisdiction city *

12 required fields left.

📋

Template verified May 2026 — checked against applicable central Acts and current state rules. Legal requirements can change; for property transactions above ₹5 lakh, employment disputes, or business agreements above ₹10 lakh, have a lawyer review it before signing →. Run Lekha Audit on any document you receive →

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2 of 14 essentials added · +2 optional

FREELANCER / INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of [START_DATE] between: 1. , at , represented by (hereinafter "Client"); AND 2. , at (PAN: ) (GSTIN: ) (hereinafter "Freelancer").

1. Project Scope and Deliverables

Project: Scope and Deliverables: Timeline: Start date [START_DATE]. Delivery deadline: [END_DATE]. Revisions: . Additional revisions beyond the agreed rounds will be billed at ₹[RATE]/hour.

2. Fees and Payment

A fixed project fee of ₹0 (Rupees [AMOUNT_IN_WORDS] only). The full amount is payable upon delivery and acceptance of all deliverables. All fees are exclusive of applicable GST. TDS: The Client shall deduct TDS at 10% under s.194J of the Income Tax Act 1961 on all payments and deposit it with the government. The Client shall issue Form 16A to the Freelancer within 15 days of the end of each quarter.

3. Independent Contractor

The Freelancer is an independent contractor. This Agreement does not create an employer-employee, principal-agent, or partnership relationship. The Freelancer shall be responsible for their own taxes (other than TDS deductible by the Client), insurance, and compliance with applicable laws. The Client has no obligation to provide the Freelancer with PF, ESI, gratuity, leave, or other employment benefits.

4. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property rights in the Deliverables, including copyright in designs, code, content, and other work product, shall be assigned to the Client upon receipt of full payment. Until full payment is received, the Freelancer retains all IP rights and the Client shall not use the Deliverables commercially.

5. Confidentiality

The Freelancer shall keep confidential all business information, strategies, client data, and other non-public information of the Client received during this engagement and shall not disclose it to third parties. These obligations continue for 2 years after completion of the project. Portfolio: The Freelancer may display the Deliverables in their portfolio or online profiles, unless the Client notifies in writing that the work is confidential.

6. Warranties

The Freelancer warrants that: (a) the Deliverables are the Freelancer's original work; (b) the Deliverables do not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights; (c) the Freelancer has the full right and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform the services.

7. Termination

Either Party may terminate this Agreement on 7 days' written notice. If the Client terminates early, the Freelancer shall be paid for all work completed and accepted up to the date of termination, pro-rated from the total fee. If the Freelancer terminates early, the Client shall pay for completed milestones only and the Freelancer shall deliver all work-in-progress to the Client.

8. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of India. Disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at .

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

Client __GAP[fl_client_name|Acme Marketing Private Limited]__ __GAP[fl_client_signatory|Meera Patel, Marketing Head]__

[Signature]

Freelancer __GAP[fl_freelancer_name|Arjun Mehta]__

[Signature]

Connected legal intelligence

Everything on Lekha that relates to this document — the clauses inside it, what to do next, the law to learn, and the risks to watch. Educational, not legal advice.

Clauses inside, explained

Payment terms Representations & warranties Limitation of liability Indemnity Termination for cause Liquidated damages Change control Survival Governing law & jurisdiction Dispute resolution (arbitration)Entire agreement Severability Notices Force majeure

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Acts this document touches

Trace each Act to the clauses and other templates connected to it.

Indian Contract Act, 1872 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 Sale of Goods Act, 1930 Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

Common risks to watch

Limitation of liability. Caps how much one party can be made to pay if things go wrong.
Indemnity. Allocates who bears the cost if a third party brings a claim.
Governing law & jurisdiction. Fixes which State's courts and which body of law decide any dispute under the document.

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Applicable compliance

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GST registration

GST returns (GSTR-1 & 3B)

TDS deduction & returns

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Freelancer / Independent Contractor Agreement

After you download

Frequently asked questions

Client details

Freelancer details

Project and deliverables

Payment

IP and confidentiality

📎Attachments

Connected legal intelligence

💡 Suggested next documents

⚖️ Clauses inside, explained

🏛️ Acts this document touches

⚠️ Common risks to watch

📚 Learn the law

✅ Applicable compliance

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