Question

Which of the following statements are true? i. Minor's contract can be ratified on attaining majority ii. Minor's contact be ratified on attaining majority iii. Minor's contract can be ratified jointly by both the parties to the contract. iv. Minor is not liable under minor's contract

• A. (i) and (iii)
• B. (ii) and (iv)
• C. (i) and (ii)
• D. (ii) and (iii)

Hint:

The golden rule for minor's agreements in India is: they are **void ab initio** (void from the very beginning). This means they cannot be enforced against the minor and cannot be ratified later. The law protects minors from their own inexperience.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Let's analyze the statements about a minor's contract in Indian law: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{A minor is not competent to contract under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act. In the landmark case Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose, the Privy Council held that a minor's agreement is not just voidable, but absolutely **void ab initio** (void from the beginning).} \\ \bullet & \text{Statements (i), (ii), and (iii) are false. Since the contract is void from the start, it is a nullity and cannot be legally revived or "ratified" by the minor upon attaining majority. Ratification applies only to voidable acts, not void ones. A new contract must be formed.} \\ \bullet & \text{Statement (iv) is true. Because the contract is void, no legal liability can be imposed on the minor under that contract.} \\ \end{array}\] Therefore, only statement (iv) is correct. Option (B) is the closest, assuming (ii) is a typo of (iv) or there is an error in the question's options. Based on legal principles, (iv) is the only true statement.