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Employment contracts and offer letters · checked 11 November 2026
Give every employee a signed offer and a written appointment letter, mandatory since 21 November 2025, stating pay, probation and notice.
An Indian employment agreement states the role, pay and how it is split, hours and leave, probation, notice on both sides, confidentiality, IP assignment and the grounds for termination. Allowances above 50% of total pay count as wages for PF and gratuity, and a non-compete after someone leaves is generally unenforceable, so rely on non-solicitation and confidentiality. Startup India hosts templates to start from; have a lawyer check the final version against your state's rules.
The steps 4 answers
- How do I write an employment contract for an employee in India? Starting Up
- What should an offer letter include, and is there a format I can use? Starting Up
- Do I need employment contracts and IP assignment from my co-founders and first employees, or is a handshake fine? Starting Up
- What do the four Labour Codes, in force since 21 November 2025, change for my offer letters, salary structure and fixed-term or gig staff? Starting Up
The readingMost used across these answers
- Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement Template (India) Use · 3 answers
- Government Makes the Four Labour Codes Effective Read
- Basic Hiring Contract (template) Use
- Labour Codes 2025: A Practical Guide for HR Leaders Read · 3 answers
- A Guide to Terminating Employment in India Read · 2 answers
- India Employee Misclassification: Risks and Best Practices Read · 2 answers
- Founders' Agreement: Definition, Key Clauses, and Template for Indian Startups Read
- Full and Final Settlement in India: 2026 Compliance Guide Read
- Copyright Ownership in Employment and Freelance Contracts: Key Legal Insights Read
- Offer Letter Format: Elements and Free Sample Templates Use
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