Indian Contract Act, 1872: Complete Topic-Wise Question Bank for Judicial Service Mains Examinations. (Part-III)

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Indian Contract Act, 1872: Complete Topic-Wise Question Bank for Judicial Service Mains Examinations. (Part-III)

Mastery of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 is an indispensable cornerstone for cracking Judicial Service (Civil Judge and Higher Judicial Service) Mains Examinations across India. Whether dealing with pure conceptual queries on privity, free consent, and lawful consideration, or tackling intricate factual scenarios involving anticipatory breach and liquidated damages, Contract Law demands both statutory precision and sharp analytical reasoning.

In competitive written examinations, success hinges on two distinct skills:

·       Doctrinal Articulation: Formulating clear, jurisprudentially sound answers for direct theoretical questions and statutory doctrines.

·       Practical Application: Dissecting problem-based questions by identifying key legal issues, applying the appropriate statutory provisions, citing landmark precedents, and delivering a definitive verdict.

To streamline your preparation, this comprehensive compilation brings together past Mains examination questions organized systematically into 18 distinct subject chapters. Every direct theoretical inquiry, short note, comparative question, and practical problem scenario has been indexed with its respective judicial service reference.

Use this topic-wise repository as a daily answer-writing guide, a diagnostic self-assessment tool, and an analytical roadmap to track high-yield examination patterns across state jurisdictions.


13. Discharge of Contract, Novation & Doctrine of Frustration

 



  1. What do you understand by discharge of contract? What are the ways in which a contract could be discharged?

 

— Manipur Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2017

 

 

  1. Discuss the Doctrine of Frustration of Contract. Cite one or two relevant case laws.

 

— Uttarakhand Higher Judicial Service Mains Examination, 2012

 

 

  1. Defining the ‘Doctrine of frustration of Contract’, mention its exceptions too.

 

— Uttarakhand Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2014

 

 

  1. Explain in detail doctrine of frustration.

 

— Uttarakhand Higher Judicial Service Mains Examination, 2009

 

 

  1. ‘Initial impossibility renders an agreement void and subsequent impossibility renders a contract void’. Discuss with reference to the provisions of Indian Contract Act, 1872 and decided cases.

 

— Uttar Pradesh Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 1999

 

 

  1. Under a contract A is liable to pay Rs. 1,00,000/- to B. A, B and C agree that thereafter C will pay the debt instead of A. What is its legal effect and what is the principle involved in it? (Problematic Question)

 

— Kerala Judicial Service (Mains) Examination, 2012

 

 

  1. A, a singer enters into contract with B the manager of a theatre, to sing at his theatre, two nights in every week during the next two months and B engages to pay her 100 rupees for each night's performance. On the sixth night, A willfully absents herself from the theatre. Can B put an end to the contract? Decide giving statutory provisions. (Problematic Question)

 

— Uttarakhand Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2016

 

 

  1. A, a singer, contracts with B, the manager of a restaurant, to sing at his restaurant for two nights every week during next two months; and B engages to pay to her 5,000/- rupees for each night's performance. On the sixth night, A willfully absents herself from the restaurant and B, in consequence, rescinds the contract. Decide. (Problematic Question)

 

— I.A.S. (Mains) Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. A professional singer took advance of Rs. 50,000 to sing at Christmas eve party. A day prior to Christmas because of extreme cold weather A caught a bad cold and had soar throat because of which she could not sing on the Christmas eve. She is sued for the refund of the advance as also for damages for failure to perform the contract. Decide with reasons. (Problematic Question)

 

— Bihar District Judge (Entry Level) Competitive Mains Examination, 2013

 

 

 



14. Quasi-Contracts & Unjust Enrichment

 



  1. ‘A quasi contract is not a contract at all. It is an obligation which the law creates’. Explain with illustrations.

 

— Tripura Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2014

 

 

  1. What do you understand by Quasi Contract? Explain the distinctive features of Quasi Contract. What is judicial basis of responsibility occur under Quasi Contract? Explain.

 

— Uttarakhand Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. What is the doctrine of unjustment enrichment?

 

— Kerala Judicial Service (Main) Examination, 2011

 

 

  1. What are the salient features of a Quasi Contract? What are the different types of Quasi Contract?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. How does a contract differ from quasi contract? Enumerate the different kinds of quasi contracts provided in the Indian Contract Act, 1872?

 

— Uttar Pradesh Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2000

 

 

  1. ‘Payment received by mistake must be refunded’. Discuss with reference to decided cases.

 

— Uttar Pradesh Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 1999

 

 

  1. Which are the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 whereunder ‘quasi contractual relations are recognised?

 

— Rajasthan Civil Judge Mains Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. What is doctrine of quantum meruit?

 

— Rajasthan Civil Service (Mains) Examination, 2010

 

 

  1. Discuss various kinds of quasi-contractual obligations under the Indian Contract Act.

 

— Rajasthan Civil Service (Mains) Examination, 2010

 

 

  1. What is the obligation of a person enjoying benefit of a non-gratuitous act? How does it differ from the responsibility of finder of goods?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. What are the rights and responsibilities of a person who finds goods belong to another and takes them in his custody.

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2017

 

 

  1. 'A' a tradesman, leaves goods at B's house by mistake. 'B' treats the goods as his own and uses the same. Would 'A' have civil legal remedy against 'B'. Explain giving reasons. (Problematic Question)

 

— Legal Officer, RBI Examination, 2012

 

 

 



15. Remedies for Breach of Contract & Assessment of Damages

 



  1. Explain the principles applicable for assessment of damages in case of breach of contract.

 

— Manipur Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2017

 

 

  1. What are various remedies available for Breach of Contract?

 

— Manipur Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. Discuss the rules of Hadley v. Baxendale (1854) relating to remoteness of damages.

 

— Rajasthan Civil Service (Mains) Examination, 2010

 

 

  1. Explain the law relating to compensation for breach of contract where the contract contains stipulation by way of penalty.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. Distinguish between liquidated damages and penalty? How far does this distinction affect the amount of compensation for a breach of contract?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2012

 

 

  1. What is the criterion for calculating unliquidated damages caused due to breach of contract? Discuss in detail, while citing case laws.

 

— Rajasthan Judicial Service Mains Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. Discuss the rules for determining the damages in case of breach of contract.

 

— Tripura Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2014

 

 

  1. What are the principles governing compensation for breach of contract?

 

— Kerala Judicial Service NCA (Main) Examination, 2011

 

 

  1. Discuss the rule relating to damages laid down in the case of Hadley v. Baxendale.

 

— Jharkhand PCS J Mains Examination, 2014

 

 

  1. ‘Section 74 of Indian Contract Act, 1872 has cut down the most troublesome knot of common law doctrine of awarding damages for breach of contract’. (Justice Shah) in Seth Fateh Chand v/s balkishan Das 1963 SC. Explaining the statement, mention the difference between section 73 and 74 of the Contract Act.

 

— Uttarakhand Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2014

 

 

  1. Is breach of promise to marry an actionable wrong? Can compensation be awarded to such wrong?

 

— Uttarakhand Higher Judicial Service Mains Examination, 2008

 

 

  1. A agrees to sell his house to B for Rs.105000. Provided that on breach of contract the defaulting Party will Pay Rs. 1000 as damages to the other. B broke the contract and A resold house to C for Rs.104000. A sued B and claimed Rs. 1000. Will he succeed? (Problematic Question)

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2016

 

 

 



16. Contract of Indemnity and Guarantee

 



  1. Define a contract of indemnity. How does a contract of indemnity differ from a contract of guarantee?

 

— Uttarakhand Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. State the difference between a contract of guarantee and that of indemnity.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. What is contract of indemnity and what are the rights of indemnity holder when sued?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2011

 

 

  1. Distinguish between contract of indemnity and contract of guarantee. Is a contract of insurance a contract of indemnity?

 

— Uttar Pradesh Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2006

 

 

  1. Define a contract of indemnity. How does a contract of indemnity differ from a contract of guarantee?

 

— Uttar Pradesh Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2000

 

 

  1. Define contract of indemnity under the Indian Contract Act. Is theer any distinction between this definition and the English definition of indemnity? Can the indemnity holder claim to be indemnified before he is damnified? Cite case law.

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2009

 

 

  1. Write short note on contract of guarantee.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. In what circumstance is guarantee invalid under the law?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2017

 

 

  1. In a contract of guarantee is there any implied promise to indemnify the surety?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2017

 

 

  1. What do you mean by “Contract of Guarantee”, “Surety”, “Principal Debtor” and “Creditor”?

 

— Manipur Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2014-15

 

 

  1. What is meant by ‘continuing guarantee’ under the Contract Act, 1872?

 

— Rajasthan Civil Judge Mains Examination, 2016

 

 

  1. What is continuing guarantee? How is it revoked?

 

— Kerala Judicial Service (Main) Examination, 2011

 

 

  1. What is continuing guarantee? Can such guarantee be revoked?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2011

 

 

  1. Explain in detail the discharge of a surety.

 

— Bihar Judicial Service (Mains) Examination, 2000

 

 

  1. Discuss the law relating to the discharge of liability of the legal representatives on the death of a surety?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2012

 

 

 



17. Bailment and Pledge

 



  1. Write short note on bailment, bailor and bailee.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2011

 

 

  1. Define bailment, lien and pledge.

 

— Goa Judicial Service (Junior Division) Examination, 2010

 

 

  1. Define bailment. Discuss the essential of a contract of bailment.

 

— Bihar Judicial Service (Mains) Examination, 2000

 

 

  1. Define “Bailment”, “Bailor” and “Bailee” in terms of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

 

— Manipur Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2014-15

 

 

  1. ‘A bailment arises from contract. It cannot arise independent of contract’. Explain this statement with reference to judicial decisions.

 

— Uttarakhand Civil Judge (J.D.) Mains Examination, 2016

 

 

  1. Explain and illustrate the duties of a bailee and a bailor.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. What are the duties of bailee under the Indian Contract Act?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2012

 

 

  1. A found a Purse in a Cinema hall. He deposited the Purse with the manager of the hall so that the true owner can claim it back. However, no one claimed the Purse. A wants the Purse. Can he succeed? (Problematic Question)

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2016

 

 

  1. Write short note on bailment of pledges.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. Under what circumstances and to what extent can a person other than a true owner make a valid pledge of goods?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. When can a person who is neither the owner nor having authority from the owner for pledging the goods, make a valid pledge?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2009

 

 

 



18. Law of Agency

 



  1. What is an agency? How does an 'agent' differ from an 'employee'?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2012

 

 

  1. What are the essentials of agency?

 

— Rajasthan Civil Service (Mains) Examination, 2010

 

 

  1. What do you understand by the terms 'Agent' and 'Principal'? What are the different kinds of Agent?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. Who is a del credere agent?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2009

 

 

  1. Describe the relationship between a principal and a sub-agent.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. Write short note on doctrine of Ratification.

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2015

 

 

  1. Explain the "Doctrine of Ratification". What are the acts that cannot be ratified?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2013

 

 

  1. What is ratification and what is its effect?

 

— Manipur Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2014-15

 

 

  1. Is it permissible for the agent to delegate his authority to another?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2017

 

 

  1. Is it permissible for an agent to delegate his authority to a third party? If so, when?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2009

 

 

  1. ‘Delegatus non potest delegare’. Discuss the implication of this maxim in relation to agency and state the exceptions to the rule.

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2010

 

 

  1. Give an exception to the principle ‘nemo dat quod non habet.

 

— Rajasthan Civil Service (Mains) Examination, 2010

 

 

  1. What is the legal consequence when a sub-agent is appointed without authority?

 

— West Bengal Judicial Service (Written) Examination, 2017

 

 

  1. Enumerate and explain the modes of termination of agency under the Indian Contract Act, 1872?

 

— Kerala Judicial Service (Main) Examination, 2016

 

 

  1. What are the different modes of termination of agency? In what manner and circumstances can agency be revoked?

 

— Assam Judicial Service (Grade-III) Written Examination, 2015

 

 

Excelling in Judicial Service Mains is rarely a test of passive reading; it is a discipline of active, structured drafting. As you work through these questions, approach every problem scenario with a methodical framework-identifying the Issue, stating the applicable Rule (relevant sections and provisos of the Indian Contract Act, 1872), weaving in authoritative Case Precedents (such as Hadley v. Baxendale, Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose, or Fateh Chand v. Balkishan Das), and delivering a crisp Analysis and Conclusion.

Consistent practice with real past examination questions builds the speed, doctrinal clarity, and legal craftsmanship required to stand out in front of the examiner.

Bookmark this question index for your revision schedule, practice drafting structured answers under timed conditions, and share this repository with fellow judicial aspirants preparing for the upcoming Mains examinations.

* (This is the last part.) 

Indian Contract Act, 1872: Complete Topic-Wise Question Bank for Judicial Service Mains Examinations. (Part-I)

Indian Contract Act, 1872: Complete Topic-Wise Question Bank for Judicial Service Mains Examinations. (Part-II)


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