Non Compete Agreement Template for India

The Non-Compete Agreement serves as a crucial legal instrument in Indian business relationships to protect legitimate business interests, trade secrets, and competitive advantages. While Indian courts generally view post-employment restrictions with scrutiny under Section 27 of the Indian Contract Act, these agreements remain valuable for protecting confidential information, customer relationships, and intellectual property during employment or business partnerships. The document must be carefully structured to balance business protection with constitutional rights and public policy considerations, typically including specific provisions about restricted activities, temporal and geographical limitations, and consideration provided. It's particularly relevant in scenarios involving senior executives, key employees, business sales, or strategic partnerships where one party gains significant access to sensitive business information or relationships.

1. Parties: Identification of the parties entering into the agreement, including their legal names, addresses, and any relevant registration details

2. Background: Context of the agreement, relationship between parties, and legitimate business interests being protected

3. Definitions: Clear definitions of key terms used in the agreement, including 'Confidential Information', 'Competing Business', 'Territory', and 'Restricted Period'

4. Scope of Non-Compete: Detailed description of prohibited competitive activities, specifically defining what constitutes competition

5. Duration and Territory: Specific timeframe and geographical limitations of the non-compete obligations

6. Consideration: Clear statement of the consideration being provided in exchange for the non-compete obligations

7. Non-Solicitation Obligations: Restrictions on soliciting employees, customers, or suppliers

8. Confidentiality Obligations: Provisions regarding the protection and non-disclosure of confidential information

9. Exceptions and Permitted Activities: Clear outline of activities that are permitted despite the non-compete restrictions

10. Remedies for Breach: Specific remedies available in case of breach, including injunctive relief and damages

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Specification of Indian law as governing law and jurisdiction for dispute resolution

12. Severability: Provision ensuring that if any part of the agreement is found unenforceable, the rest remains valid