Promissory Note Template for India

A Promissory Note is a fundamental financial instrument widely used in Indian business and personal transactions, deriving its legal framework from the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, and the Indian Contract Act, 1872. This document is employed when one party (the maker) wishes to formalize a promise to pay a specific sum to another party (the payee), either on demand or at a predetermined future date. The Promissory Note can be used for various purposes, including documenting loans, credit arrangements, or deferred payment obligations. It must contain certain essential elements to be valid under Indian law, including an unconditional promise to pay, a specified sum, clear identification of parties, and proper execution with required stamp duty. The document's significance lies in its negotiability and enforceability, making it a crucial tool for businesses and individuals in managing financial obligations and debt relationships.

1. Place and Date: Specifies the place of execution and date of the promissory note, which is crucial for determining jurisdiction and limitation period

2. Promise to Pay: The unconditional undertaking to pay a specified sum, including the amount in both figures and words

3. Maker and Payee Details: Full names and addresses of the maker (promisor) and payee (promisee)

4. Payment Terms: Specifies when the payment is due (on demand or at a specific future date)

5. Interest Clause: States the agreed interest rate and calculation method

6. Signature Block: Space for maker's signature, with revenue stamp if required by local stamp duty laws