HR Software Delhi
Free Template — Updated April 2026

Offer Letter Format Free Template
for Indian Companies

Download a professionally worded offer letter format with CTC breakdown, probation terms, and Delhi NCR compliance clauses. Ready to use in Word and PDF — free, no sign-up.

Legally Reviewed Delhi NCR Compliant Word & PDF Format

What Is an Offer Letter?

An offer letter is a formal document issued by an employer to a selected candidate, confirming the job offer along with key employment terms — designation, compensation (CTC), joining date, work location, and conditions of employment. It is issued before the candidate joins and serves as the first official written communication between the employer and the new hire. In India, an offer letter is not the same as an appointment letter — the appointment letter is issued after joining and acts as the formal employment contract.

Offer Letter vs Appointment Letter — Key Differences

Criteria Offer Letter Appointment Letter
When IssuedBefore joiningOn or after joining date
PurposeProposes employment termsConfirms employment terms
Legal StatusConditional promiseFormal employment contract
CTC DetailsHigh-level CTC & in-handFull salary structure with breakup
Company PoliciesBrief mentionDetailed policies, code of conduct
Probation TermsDuration mentionedFull probation & confirmation terms
Termination ClauseBasic notice periodDetailed termination & exit terms
Candidate ActionAccept/reject/negotiateSign and return
Can Be Withdrawn?Yes (before acceptance)No (binding contract)
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See How Your Offer Letter Will Look

This is how a professional offer letter appears when printed on company letterhead. Customise the highlighted fields before sending.

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Ref: [OL/2026/001]
To,
[Candidate Full Name]
[Candidate Address]
Subject: Offer of Employment — [Job Title]

Dear [Candidate Name],

We are pleased to offer you the position of [Designation] in the [Department] department at [Company Name], reporting to [Reporting Manager Name & Title].

Your annual Cost to Company (CTC) will be [CTC Amount]. A detailed salary breakup is attached as Annexure A. Your expected date of joining is [DD/MM/YYYY], and you will be based at our [Office Location] office.

You will be on probation for [3/6 months] from the date of joining. During probation, either party may terminate this engagement with [15/30 days] written notice.

This offer is valid until [Validity Date]. Please sign and return a copy of this letter as acceptance.

We look forward to welcoming you to the team.

For [Company Name]
[Authorised Signatory Name]
[Designation]
Acceptance by Candidate
[Candidate Name]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

What to Include in an Offer Letter (India)

A complete offer letter must cover these 8 elements to be legally sound and compliant with Delhi NCR employment laws.

Job Title & Department
Clearly state the designation, department, and reporting manager. Avoid vague titles like "Executive" without context.
CTC Breakdown
Include annual CTC with Basic, HRA, Special Allowance, employer PF & ESIC. Mention in-hand estimate.
Joining Date & Location
Specify the expected joining date and exact office address — important for multi-location Delhi NCR companies.
Probation Period
State duration (3–6 months), confirmation criteria, and notice period during probation.
Notice Period
Define the notice period for both employer and employee — typically 1–3 months for confirmed employees.
EPF & ESIC Applicability
Mention that statutory deductions (EPF 12%, ESIC if applicable) will apply as per current rates.
Confidentiality & NDA
Include a clause about maintaining confidentiality of company information and intellectual property.
Offer Validity Period
State the deadline by which the candidate must accept or reject — typically 7–15 days from date of issue.

Offer Letter Format — Ready to Use Templates

Copy any template below and customise the highlighted fields with your company details. All templates are compliant with Indian employment law.

Standard
IT / Software
Startup
Internship
Contract

[Company Name]
[Registered Address]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]   |   Ref: [OL/2026/XXX]

To,
[Candidate Full Name]
[Candidate Address]

Subject: Offer of Employment — [Designation]

Dear [Candidate Name],

With reference to your application and subsequent discussions, we are pleased to offer you the position of [Designation] in the [Department] department at [Company Name].

The key terms of this offer are as follows:

ComponentAnnual (₹)Monthly (₹)
Basic Salary[Amount][Amount]
House Rent Allowance (HRA)[Amount][Amount]
Special Allowance[Amount][Amount]
Employer PF Contribution[Amount][Amount]
Total CTC[Total CTC][Monthly CTC]

Date of Joining: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Work Location: [Office Address, Delhi/Noida/Gurugram]
Reporting To: [Manager Name, Designation]
Probation: [3/6] months from the date of joining

During the probation period, either party may terminate this engagement by providing [15/30] days' written notice. Upon confirmation, the notice period will be [1/2/3] month(s).

You will be governed by the company's HR policies, code of conduct, and employee handbook, copies of which will be shared on your date of joining. Statutory deductions including EPF and ESIC (if applicable) will be made as per prevailing rates.

This offer is contingent upon satisfactory completion of background verification and submission of all required documents. The offer is valid until [Validity Date].

Please sign and return a copy of this letter to confirm your acceptance.

We look forward to having you on our team.

Warm regards,

[Authorised Signatory Name]
[Designation]
[Company Name]

Acceptance:
I, [Candidate Name], accept the above offer and agree to the terms mentioned.

Signature: _________________    Date: _________________

[Company Name]
[Tech Park / Office Address, Noida Sector 62 / Gurugram Cyber City]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Dear [Candidate Name],

Subject: Offer of Employment — [Software Engineer / Full Stack Developer / DevOps Engineer]

We are delighted to offer you the role of [Designation] in our [Engineering / Product / Platform] team. Your technical skills and experience align well with our requirements.

Compensation: Your annual CTC will be [CTC], inclusive of fixed pay, variable pay, and employer statutory contributions. A detailed breakup is attached as Annexure A.

Tech Stack: You will work with [React, Node.js, AWS / Java, Spring Boot, Kubernetes / Python, Django, GCP].

Joining Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Location: [Office Address] (hybrid — [3] days in-office)
Probation: [6] months  |  Notice Period: [2] months post-confirmation

Additional Benefits: Health insurance for self + family, learning & development budget of ₹[Amount]/year, flexible work hours, and company-provided laptop.

This offer is subject to background verification and is valid until [Date].

Regards,
[HR Manager Name]
[Company Name]

Acceptance: I accept this offer.
Signature: _________________    Date: _________________

[Startup Name]
[Co-working Space / Office Address]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Dear [Candidate Name],

Subject: Welcome Aboard — Offer for [Role Title]

We're excited to have you join [Startup Name] as [Designation]! You'll be a key part of our [team size]-person team building [one-line about product/mission].

Compensation:

ComponentAnnual (₹)
Fixed Pay (CTC)[Amount]
ESOPs / Stock Options[Number of options, vesting schedule]
Performance BonusUp to [X]% of CTC

Joining Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Location: [Office / Remote / Hybrid]
Probation: [3] months
Reporting To: [Founder / CTO / VP]

We value ownership and speed. You'll have direct impact from Day 1. Perks include flexible hours, unlimited learning budget, and a team that ships fast.

This offer is valid until [Date]. Sign below to accept.

Let's build something great together.

[Founder Name]
Co-Founder, [Startup Name]

Acceptance:
Signature: _________________    Date: _________________

[Company Name]
[Office Address]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Dear [Intern Name],

Subject: Internship Offer — [Department / Role]

We are pleased to offer you an internship position in our [Department] team at [Company Name].

Internship Details:

Duration[3 / 6] months
Start Date[DD/MM/YYYY]
End Date[DD/MM/YYYY]
Monthly Stipend[Amount]
Location[Office / Remote]
Working Hours[9:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Mon–Fri]
Mentor / Guide[Name, Designation]

Upon successful completion of the internship, you may be considered for a full-time position based on performance and business requirements.

Please note that this is a training engagement and does not constitute a contract of employment. Either party may terminate the internship with [7] days' written notice.

A certificate of completion will be provided at the end of the internship period.

Regards,
[HR Manager Name]
[Company Name]

Acceptance:
I accept this internship offer.
Signature: _________________    Date: _________________

[Company Name]
[Registered Office Address]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Dear [Candidate Name],

Subject: Offer of Contract Employment — [Designation]

We are pleased to offer you a fixed-term contract position as [Designation] at [Company Name].

Contract Details:

Contract Duration[Start Date] to [End Date]
Monthly Compensation[Amount] (inclusive of all taxes)
Payment TermsMonthly, by [5th/10th] of following month
Work Location[On-site / Remote / Hybrid]
Notice Period[15/30] days by either party
RenewalSubject to mutual agreement and business need

This is a fixed-term engagement. Statutory benefits including EPF and ESIC will apply as per the Code on Social Security 2020 for contract employees completing 3+ months. TDS will be deducted at applicable rates.

You will maintain confidentiality of all proprietary information during and after the contract period. Intellectual property created during this engagement belongs to [Company Name].

This offer is valid until [Date].

Regards,
[Authorised Signatory]
[Designation], [Company Name]

Acceptance:
I accept this contract offer and agree to the terms outlined above.
Signature: _________________    Date: _________________

Do's and Don'ts When Writing an Offer Letter

Do's
  • Include full CTC breakdown with Basic, HRA, and allowances
  • Mention EPF and ESIC applicability clearly
  • State the offer validity period (7–15 days)
  • Add a background verification clause
  • Use company letterhead with GSTIN
  • Get the letter reviewed by legal before issuing
Don'ts
  • Don't share other employees' salary details
  • Don't use vague terms like "as per company policy"
  • Don't promise benefits not yet approved by management
  • Don't skip the probation and notice period details
  • Don't issue without proper authorised signatory
  • Don't send the offer letter without a reference number

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an offer letter legally binding in India?
An offer letter is not a formal employment contract, but it creates a valid promise. If a company withdraws an unconditional offer after the candidate has resigned from their current job in good faith, Indian courts have ruled in favour of the candidate under the Indian Contract Act, 1872. The candidate may claim damages for losses incurred due to the withdrawal.
What is the difference between an offer letter and an appointment letter?
An offer letter is issued before joining and proposes employment terms — designation, CTC, and joining date. An appointment letter is issued after the candidate joins and serves as the formal employment contract with detailed policies, code of conduct, leave rules, and termination clauses. The offer letter is the proposal; the appointment letter is the agreement.
Can a company withdraw an offer letter after issuing it?
Yes, before the candidate accepts it. After acceptance — especially if the candidate has already resigned from their previous job — withdrawing the offer can expose the company to legal liability under the principle of promissory estoppel. Courts have awarded compensation in such cases. Best practice: only issue offer letters after all internal approvals are complete.
Should an offer letter include CTC or in-hand salary?
Best practice is to include both — the full CTC with component-wise breakup (Basic, HRA, Special Allowance, employer PF/ESIC) and an approximate monthly in-hand figure after deductions. Under the Code on Wages 2019, Basic + DA should be at least 50% of the total wages. Including both avoids disputes at the time of first payslip.
How long is an offer letter valid?
Most offer letters specify a validity of 7 to 15 days. If the candidate does not accept within this window, the offer lapses automatically. The validity period should be clearly stated in the letter. Companies can extend it in writing if the candidate requests more time.
Can an employee negotiate after receiving an offer letter?
Yes — negotiation is common and expected. Candidates typically negotiate CTC, joining date, designation, notice period buyout, and relocation support. Any agreed changes should be reflected in a revised offer letter before the candidate signs. Verbal promises without written confirmation have no legal standing.
Is it mandatory to issue an offer letter under Indian law?
No specific statute mandates an offer letter. However, the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act 1954 requires employers to provide written employment terms. An offer letter followed by a detailed appointment letter fulfils this requirement. Most reputable companies issue offer letters as standard practice to set clear expectations and avoid future disputes.
What happens if an employee doesn't join after accepting?
The company can treat the offer as lapsed. In practice, companies send a reminder and may extend the joining date. If the candidate still doesn't join, the offer is withdrawn. Legal action is rare but possible if the company incurred costs (notice period buyout, relocation) based on the acceptance. Including a clause about this in the offer letter protects the employer.
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