Domestic Helper Agreement (India)
DOMESTIC HELPER AGREEMENT
This Domestic Helper Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on [Agreement Date] at [State], India, between:
EMPLOYER: [Employer Name], residing at [Employer Address] (hereinafter referred to as the "Employer"); and
HELPER: [Helper Name], Aadhaar No: [Helper Aadhaar], Police Verification Ref: [Helper Police Verification], permanent address: [Helper Address] (hereinafter referred to as the "Helper").
1. RECITALS
1.1 The Employer requires domestic assistance at the household address stated above.
1.2 The Helper agrees to provide domestic services on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
1.3 This Agreement is governed by the Indian Contract Act 1872. The Employer shall comply with applicable state minimum wage notifications under the Minimum Wages Act 1948 and the POSH Act 2013.
2. ROLE AND DUTIES
2.1 The Helper is engaged as a [Helper Role] on a [Work Arrangement] basis, commencing on [Start Date].
2.2 The Helper's duties shall include tasks typical of the agreed role as directed by the Employer from time to time. The Employer shall not assign tasks that are unreasonable, unsafe, or unrelated to the agreed role without the Helper's consent.
2.3 Working hours: [Working Hours]. For live-in arrangements, the Helper shall have adequate rest periods and personal time outside the agreed working hours.
3. SALARY AND LEAVE
3.1 The Employer shall pay the Helper a monthly salary of ₹[Monthly Salary], payable on or before the 5th of the following month. Payment shall be made by bank transfer (preferred) or cash against a signed receipt.
3.2 The salary shall be at or above the applicable minimum wage for domestic workers as notified by the Government of [State] under the Minimum Wages Act 1948.
3.3 The Helper shall be entitled to: (a) one weekly off day ([Weekly Off]); (b) 12 days of paid annual leave per year; (c) 7 days of paid sick leave per year; (d) agreed festival / public holidays.
3.4 Female Helpers shall be entitled to maternity leave as per applicable state rules or as mutually agreed, whichever is more favourable.
4. ACCOMMODATION (LIVE-IN ARRANGEMENTS)
4.1 For live-in arrangements: The Employer shall provide the Helper with suitable accommodation (a private room or designated space) and meals at no cost to the Helper. The value of accommodation and meals shall be noted for the purpose of minimum wage compliance under applicable state rules.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY
5.1 The Helper shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding the Employer's personal, financial, and family matters and shall not disclose any such information to third parties during or after the term of this Agreement.
6. SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION (POSH ACT 2013)
6.1 The Employer acknowledges that the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 (POSH Act) applies to domestic workers employed in households. Female Helpers have the right to make complaints of sexual harassment to the Local Committee established by the District Officer of [State].
6.2 Both parties shall treat each other with dignity and respect. Any instance of harassment shall be reported to the Local Committee under the POSH Act.
7. TERMINATION
7.1 Either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing [Notice Period] written or verbal notice to the other Party. Salary for the notice period shall be paid in full.
7.2 The Employer may terminate immediately for serious misconduct, theft, or dishonesty by the Helper. In such cases, no notice pay is due, but the Helper retains the right to any salary already earned.
7.3 Upon completion of 5 or more continuous years of service, the Helper shall be entitled to a gratuity of 15 days' salary for each completed year of service, in line with the spirit of the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972.
8. GOVERNING LAW
8.1 This Agreement is governed by the laws of India and the State of [State], including applicable minimum wage notifications and the POSH Act 2013.
9. EXECUTION
This Agreement is signed on [Agreement Date] at [State].
Witness Name & Signature: ____________________
Employer
________________
Signature
Domestic Helper
________________
Signature
What Is a Domestic Helper Agreement (India)?
A Domestic Helper Agreement in India sets out the mutual obligations the parties accept and the terms that govern their dealings.
Formalising the relationship with a written agreement protects both the employer and the domestic helper. For the helper, it provides documented proof of employment terms, salary, and leave entitlements — crucial if disputes arise. For the employer, it provides a record of the arrangement, confirms background verification steps taken, and clarifies expectations.
Domestic workers in India are protected under the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 2008, state minimum wage notifications under the Minimum Wages Act 1948, and the POSH Act 2013 (for sexual harassment). The proposed Domestic Workers Regulation of Work and Social Security Act, when enacted, will provide a thorough national framework. The Indian Contract Act 1872 governs the agreement as a service contract.
The legal framework governing the Domestic Helper Agreement (India) in India draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Indian law, the Indian Contract Act 1872 governs contractual obligations, with Section 10 setting essential requirements for valid agreements. The Companies Act 2013 regulates corporate entities through the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The Industrial Disputes Act 1947 and state labour commissioners govern employment disputes. The Information Technology Act 2000 and IT (Reasonable Security Practices) Rules 2011 protect personal data. The Income Tax Act 1961 and Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 govern tax obligations through the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and GST Council. Parties executing a Domestic Helper Agreement (India) in India should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Indian Contract Act, 1872 sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Domestic Helper Agreement (India)?
A Domestic Helper Agreement is needed whenever a household engages a domestic worker on a regular, paid basis.
Households employing a full-time or part-time maid, cook, or housekeeper should formalise the arrangement with a written agreement, particularly if the worker is live-in or if the arrangement involves significant salary, advance payments, or leave commitments.
Parents employing a nanny, babysitter, or creche helper for their children should have a written agreement that covers working hours, duties, emergency procedures, and confidentiality obligations regarding the family's personal information.
Households employing a driver should have a written agreement covering working hours, vehicle usage, fuel and toll reimbursements, and the driver's obligations for vehicle maintenance and safe driving under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988.
Employers who source domestic workers through placement agencies typically rely on the agency's standard terms — but for long-term live-in arrangements, a separate written agreement between the employer and the worker is recommended to document the specific terms agreed.
Any household that pays salary above the state minimum wage, provides accommodation (live-in), or makes advance payments to a domestic helper should document the arrangement in writing to avoid future disputes.
Parties in India should prepare a Domestic Helper Agreement (India) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under Indian law, the Indian Contract Act 1872 governs contractual obligations, with Section 10 setting essential requirements for valid agreements. The Companies Act 2013 regulates corporate entities through the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The Industrial Disputes Act 1947 and state labour commissioners govern employment disputes. The Information Technology Act 2000 and IT (Reasonable Security Practices) Rules 2011 protect personal data. The Income Tax Act 1961 and Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 govern tax obligations through the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and GST Council. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Domestic Helper Agreement (India)
A well-drafted India Domestic Helper Agreement should include the following elements.
Party Details: Full name and address of the employer household; full name, address, and Aadhaar number of the domestic helper; police verification reference number.
Role and Duties: Specific duties expected (cooking, cleaning, childcare, driving, gardening, etc.) and any duties explicitly excluded.
Working Hours: Daily start and end time, weekly off day, provisions for live-in helpers (rest periods, personal time), and overtime pay rate.
Salary: Monthly salary (at or above state minimum wage), payment date, mode of payment (bank transfer preferred), and annual increment.
Leave: Weekly off, annual paid leave, sick leave, festival holidays, and maternity leave for female helpers.
Accommodation and Meals: For live-in helpers, whether accommodation and meals are provided, and the value/conditions of these benefits.
Background Verification: Aadhaar verification, police verification clearance number, and reference check confirmation.
Confidentiality: Helper's obligation not to disclose the employer's personal, financial, or family information to third parties.
Termination: Notice period required by both sides (typically 1–2 weeks for domestic workers), gratuity on long-term service, and grounds for immediate dismissal.
Governing Law: Applicable state minimum wage notification and state courts' jurisdiction.
Additional compliance elements for a Domestic Helper Agreement (India) used in India include: Under Indian law, the Indian Contract Act 1872 governs contractual obligations, with Section 10 setting essential requirements for valid agreements. The Companies Act 2013 regulates corporate entities through the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The Industrial Disputes Act 1947 and state labour commissioners govern employment disputes. The Information Technology Act 2000 and IT (Reasonable Security Practices) Rules 2011 protect personal data. The Income Tax Act 1961 and Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 govern tax obligations through the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and GST Council. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for India-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Domestic Helper Agreement (India) (India) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/india/business/services/domestic-helper-agreement-india
"Domestic Helper Agreement (India) (India)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/india/business/services/domestic-helper-agreement-india.
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title = {Domestic Helper Agreement (India) (India)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/india/business/services/domestic-helper-agreement-india}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Indian Contract Act, 1872}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Domestic workers in India have historically been among the most unprotected categories of workers, as they were excluded from most central labour legislation. However, their protection has been gradually expanding through a combination of existing laws, new legislation, and judicial decisions. The Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 2008 provides a framework for the social security of unorganised workers, including domestic workers. It empowers the central and state governments to formulate welfare schemes covering life insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection for unorganised workers. Several states have notified welfare schemes for domestic workers under this Act. The Minimum Wages Act 1948 empowers state governments to fix minimum wages for various categories of employment. Several states — including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal — have included domestic workers in their scheduled employment and fixed minimum wages. Employers are legally required to pay at least the applicable minimum wage to their domestic workers. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 (POSH Act) applies to domestic workers employed in households. The Act defines a 'domestic worker' as a woman employed for work in a household.
A domestic helper agreement in India should clearly set out salary, leave entitlements, and working hours to prevent disputes and ensure compliance with applicable state minimum wage and labour laws. Salary: The agreement should specify the monthly salary in Indian Rupees (₹), the date of payment each month, and the mode of payment (cash or bank transfer — bank transfer is recommended for both parties as it creates a record). The salary must be at or above the applicable minimum wage for domestic workers in the relevant state. For example, as of 2024, Delhi's minimum wage for domestic workers (unskilled category) is approximately ₹16,792 per month. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have their own rates. The agreement should also address salary revisions — either annual increments or revisions in line with state minimum wage notifications. Working Hours: The agreement should specify daily working hours, the start and end time, and whether the domestic helper is live-in (residing at the employer's premises) or live-out (commuting daily). For live-out workers, a standard working day is 8 hours; for live-in workers, the work schedule and rest periods should be clearly delineated. The agreement should provide for overtime pay for work beyond the stipulated hours.
Background verification of domestic helpers is an important safety measure for Indian households, and a well-drafted domestic helper agreement should document the verification steps taken. Police Verification: Most state police forces have introduced mandatory or voluntary domestic servant verification processes. In Delhi, the Delhi Police requires employers to submit a Servant Verification Form for domestic workers, and verification is processed through the local police station or online through the Delhi Police's online portal. Maharashtra Police also has a domestic servant verification system. Employers should ensure police verification is completed before or immediately after the domestic helper starts work. The domestic helper's police verification clearance number should be recorded in the agreement. Identity Verification: The employer should verify the domestic helper's identity through: (a) Aadhaar Card — the 12-digit UIDAI-issued identity document; (b) Voter ID Card; (c) PAN Card (for workers who have one); (d) Passport (for domestic helpers from other states). A copy of the identity document should be retained by the employer. Address Verification: The employer should verify the domestic helper's permanent address and, if the helper is from another state, their local address in the city. Reference letters from previous employers are valuable.
A Domestic Helper Agreement (India) does not legally require a lawyer in India, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Indian Contract Act, 1872 does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified India lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The Supreme Court of India has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Registrar of Companies (ROC) may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
A Domestic Helper Agreement (India) does not legally require a lawyer in India, though legal advice is recommended. Under Indian law, the Indian Contract Act 1872 governs agreements. The Companies Act 2013 and Registrar of Companies (ROC) regulate corporate documents. The Information Technology Act 2000 governs electronic contracts and data protection. The Consumer Protection Act 2019 provides consumer rights. The Income Tax Act 1961 requires tax compliance. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point — always review with a qualified Indian advocate for significant transactions. Under India law, Indian Contract Act, 1872, parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under Indian law, the Indian Contract Act 1872 governs contractual obligations, with Section 10 setting essential requirements for valid agreements. The Companies Act 2013 regulates corporate entities through the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for India-compliant documentation.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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