Which sections of the Indian Contract Act address mistakes affecting contract validity?

The sections of the Indian Contract Act that deal specifically with mistakes affecting contract validity are indeed Sections 20 to 22. These sections outline the legal implications of various types of mistakes that can occur in contracts, particularly distinguishing between mutual mistakes and unilateral mistakes.

Section 20 addresses a situation where both parties to the contract are mistaken about a matter of fact, which is essential to the agreement. It specifies that if both parties are under a mistake regarding a fact that is fundamental to the agreement, the contract becomes void.

Section 21 elaborates on the effects of a unilateral mistake, indicating that if one party is mistaken about a matter of fact and the other party is not aware of the mistake, the contract may still be valid unless the other party knew or ought to have known about the mistake.

Section 22 further clarifies that when there is a mistake relating to the identity of a party entering the contract, it could potentially impact the validity of the contract as well, especially in cases where the identity is crucial to the agreement.

This combination of sections provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how mistakes can jeopardize the legal standing of contracts within the Indian legal context.