LIJDLR

A THEMATIC STUDY ON ELECTRONIC CONTRACTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE: VALIDITY, AUTHENTICATION, AND ENFORCEMENT IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT

M Prakash George, Assistant Professor at R N Patel Ipcowala School of Law and Justice, The Charutar Vidya Mandal (CVM) University (India)

The rise of digital technology and internet-based commerce has profoundly changed the conventional understanding of contractual relationships in India. E-contracts, or electronic contracts, have emerged as an essential aspect of contemporary business operations, allowing individuals and companies to form agreements via websites, mobile apps, electronic banking services, and online marketplaces. The increasing reliance on digital transactions has heightened the need to comprehend the legal validity, authentication processes, and enforceability of electronic contracts in the Indian legal framework. This study analyzes the legal structure regulating electronic agreements in India, emphasizing the clauses of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Indian Contract Act, 1872. It examines how key components of a valid contract, including voluntary consent, lawful consideration, capable parties, and the intent to establish legal relations, are utilized in electronic agreements. The study examines the legal acknowledgment of electronic records and digital signatures, emphasizing their significance in maintaining authenticity, integrity, and security in online dealings. Judicial rulings on click-wrap, browse-wrap, and shrink-wrap agreements are examined to grasp the changing stance of Indian courts regarding electronic contract practices. The research also tackles significant issues related to electronic contracts, such as cyber fraud, identity theft, data privacy worries, jurisdictional complexities, evidential challenges, and consumer protection in digital transactions. Particular focus is placed on the challenges emerging from cross-border e-commerce and the acceptance of electronic evidence as per Indian law. Furthermore, the study examines the effects of emerging technologies like blockchain and smart contracts, which are expected to shape the future of digital agreements and business regulation.

📄 Type 🔍 Information
Research Paper LawFoyer International Journal of Doctrinal Legal Research (LIJDLR), Volume 4, Issue 2, Page 1456–1485.
🔗 Creative Commons © Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License . © Authors, 2026. All rights reserved.