A reciprocal promise is a pair (or set) of promises in a contract where each party’s promise is the consideration for the other’s promise – a classic “you do this, I’ll do that” arrangement.

Quick Scoop

Simple meaning

  • When two people agree that each will do (or not do) something in return for the other’s act, their promises are reciprocal promises.
  • Under Section 2(f) of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, promises that form the consideration or part of the consideration for each other are called reciprocal promises.

Think of it like a swap: “I’ll give you my book if you give me ₹500.” Each side’s promise is the “price” of the other.

Classic example

  • A agrees to sell his car to B for ₹10 lakhs; B agrees to pay ₹10 lakhs on delivery of the car.
  • A’s promise: deliver the car. B’s promise: pay the price. Each is both a promisor and a promisee in this setup.

Key features (quick bullets)

  • Mutual: Each party both gives and gets a promise.
  • Consideration-based: Each promise is the consideration for the other.
  • Interdependent: Failure by one side can justify non-performance or remedies by the other, depending on the type of reciprocal promise and contract rules.

Types you’ll usually see (brief)

  • Concurrent reciprocal promises : Both must be performed at the same time (e.g., cash on delivery of goods).
  • Conditional reciprocal promises : One promise becomes due only after the other has been performed (e.g., “I’ll deliver the car after you pay”).

In short, when you hear “reciprocal promise,” think “mutual, give-and-take promises that legally depend on each other” under contract law.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.