The beam-column joint is the crucial zone in a reinforced concrete moment resisting frame. It is subjected to large forces during severe ground shaking and its behaviour has a significant influence on the response of the structure. The assumption of joint being rigid fails to consider the effects of high shear forces developed within the joint. The shear failure is always brittle in nature which is not an acceptable structural performance especially in seismic conditions. This paper presents a review of the postulated theories associated with the behaviour of joints. Understanding the joint behaviour is essential for exercising proper judgments in the design of joints. The paper discusses the seismic actions on various types of joints and highlights the critical parameters that affect joint performance with special reference to bond and shear transfer.