An Overview of FIDIC Contracts

FIDIC is well-known for its standard contracts, which play a key role in the construction and engineering industries worldwide. These contracts are designed to help manage risks, clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all parties, and ensure projects are completed successfully. With a range of contract types available, they address different project needs.

Here is an overview of the main types of FIDIC contracts:

Green Book: Short Form of Contract. For small, simple, low-risk projects with short timelines and minimal contract management. [2nd Edition (2021)]

Red Book:

• Conditions of Contract for Construction for Building and Engineering Works Designed by the Employer (The Construction Contract). When the Employer provides the design; traditional design-bid-build model where the contractor executes the employer's design. [2nd Edition (2017), Reprinted 2022]
• Subcontract for Construction. When appointing a subcontractor under a main Red Book contract. [1st Edition (2011)]

Pink Book: MDB Harmonised Edition of the Construction Contract. Used for projects funded by Multilateral Development Banks (like the World Bank). It is a modified version of the Red Book with harmonised Particular Conditions adopted in MDB-funded Standard Bidding Documents. [Version 3 (June 2010)]

Yellow Book: Conditions of Contract for Plant and Design-Build. When the Contractor is responsible for both design and construction, used in design-build projects. The 1999 Yellow Book effectively replaced the Orange Book by combining its features with the older 1987 Yellow Book, creating a modern Plant and Design-Build contract. [2nd Edition (2017), Reprinted 2022]

Silver Book: Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects. For complex, high-risk, fixed-price projects where the Contractor designs and delivers the project on a turnkey basis with minimal Employer involvement. [2nd Edition (2017), Reprinted 2022]

Gold Book: Design-Build-Operate (DBO) Contract. When the Contractor is also responsible for long-term operation and maintenance after construction. [1st Edition (2008)]

Blue-Green Book: Form of Contract for Dredging and Reclamation Works. Tailored to marine works with provisions on measurement and contractor risk. [2nd Edition (2016)]

Emerald Book: Underground Works Contract. Focuses on geological risk, time-related claims, and specialised safety provisions. [1st Edition (2019), Reprinted 2023]

White Book: Client/Consultant Model Services Agreement. Covers professional services, used to engage consultants with defined deliverables and fees. [5th Edition (2017)]

The Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI) serves as the national member association of FIDIC, representing India's consulting engineering community on a global platform. While the adoption of FIDIC contracts is not mandatory in India, these internationally recognised standard forms are widely respected and increasingly used, particularly in large-scale infrastructure and construction projects involving international consultants, contractors, or funding agencies. Institutions such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and other MDBs routinely prescribe the use of FIDIC contract templates as part of their procurement frameworks for projects in India.

As Indian stakeholders increasingly engage in cross-border transactions and international project financing, the relevance and application of FIDIC contracts continue to grow. A standardisation of the form of contract enables parties to be more in consonance with each other as well as with global norms when executing a contract. Further, FIDIC contracts provide standard clauses for various eventualities, which also assists parties executing the contracts to be covered for a range of exigencies.