Basics of Force Majeure: It’s Only What the Contract Says

Theme: Project Closure; Module: Completion to Termination

Author: Dr. Pradeep Reddy Sarvareddy

Published Date: 09 Jan 2026

This Article is an introduction to Force Majeure in Construction Contracts.

The term “Force Majeure” sounds grand, but it is not mentioned in any Indian statute except in the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA 2016).  Force Majeure is a Contractual concept.

Typical Force Majeure Events

• Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, cyclones)
• Fire or explosion
• War, invasion or armed conflict
• Terrorist acts
• Strikes or labour unrest
• Epidemics or pandemics
• Government actions or restrictions
• Acts of God
• Any other event beyond reasonable control

A Comical Example:

If the Contract says Force Majeure includes “squatting of cows” and that you should not attempt to move the cows because of religious beliefs, then what?  If one fine day, a herd of cows decides to occupy your construction site.  Work stops.  Machinery can’t enter.  The cows are happy and you can’t move them.  As per Contract, this is Force Majeure.  Funny?  Think again.  Oh by the way, someone said that this is not a real example.  Try working in a pilgrimage or temple. 

Force Majeure includes what you write in your contract.  It’s that simple.  Let us make it “not so simple” sometime later in a more detailed Article.