How there be a contract enforceable without consideration?

Hello Ruchika.. thanks for your question... I think you need to first understand the basic difference between an AGREEMENT & a CONTRACT An Agreement is defined under section 2(e) of Indian Contract Act, 1872 as "Every promise and every set of promise, forming the consideration for each other, is an agreement" whereas Contract is defined under section 2(h) as - "An Agreement enforceable by law is a contract" and section 2(g) says An Agreement not enforceable by law is said to be VOID so technically speaking All Contracts are enforceable. that leads us to REPHRASE your query as to - "Is an AGREEMENT enforceable without consideration" We will first see as to whether Consideration is an essential ingredient of an Agreements to be classified as a Contract. The answer is yes as Section 10 of the Indian Contract Act says that - All Agreement are Contract if they are made by a. Free consent of parties competent to contract b. FOR A LAWFUL CONSIDERATION. c. with a lawful object d. not expressly declared to be void (eg. Agreement in restraint of marriage/trade legal proceedings etc. under section 26, 27 & 28 of Contract Act, 1872) Now question arises - is an Agreement without consideration void? - Section 25 very categorically says that an Agreement made without Consideration is Void so the next question arises - Can there be an Agreement without consideration? The Answer is yes and for that we will have to look again at Section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, which says that An Agreement without Consideration is void UNLESS it is 1. a. in writing b. is registered under the law c. is made on account of natural love and affection between parties standing in a near relation to each other 2. it is a promise to compensate, wholly or in part, a person who has already voluntarily done something for the promisor 3. it is a promise - made in writing and signed - to pay wholly or in part a debt of which the creditor might have enforced payment, but for the law of limitation of suits. Hope that answers your query. Further queries/objection/suggestion are welcome. read less