Key information
Summary
Bench: Supreme Court of India (Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh)
References: Supreme Court of India (Official Portal) | SCC Online Blog | Lawbeat
Recognizing the economic contribution of unpaid domestic work, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment in an appeal arising out of a motor accident claim. The Court completely rejected the traditional judicial practice of equating a homemaker’s notional income with conservatives wages, declaring that their invisible domestic contribution to families forms the core of the country’s economic progress.
The Bench anchored its reasoning within the preambular values of the Constitution to protect against systematic undervaluing of women’s work. The Court observed that calculating compensation through restrictive methods inevitably devalues homemakers. To address this gap, the Court established a distinct, standalone head of compensation titled “Loss of Domestic Care”, ensuring structured spousal and maternal support recognition.
Concurring on remedial parameters, the Court fixed a minimum benchmark of ₹30,000 per month to operate as a stand-in monthly income where direct monetary figures are unavailable. Crucially, the bench directed that this composite base amount be enhanced by 10 percent cumulatively every three years, providing a permanent shield against inflation for future claims.
Case Identified & Researched By: Jessika
