Delhi High Court Says ‘Non-Earning Doesn’t Mean Idle’; Grants ₹50,000 Maintenance to Homemaker

In our society, it has been going on for ages that if someone, especially a woman, is not earning, they are idle. But the Delhi High Court has come in defence of this false statement. The court has stated that a non-earning spouse is misunderstood as being “idle”. Moreover, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has also observed that if a person is unemployed, that does not mean that it is equivalent to deliberate dependence.  

The court stressed that the economic value of a homemaker’s contribution must be recognized under the law.

Court’s Key Observations

The High Court clarified that:

• Having the ability to earn and actually earning are two very different things
• It is obviously unpaid labour if a spouse is staying at home, taking care of the children, managing the household, and supporting the other spouse’s career   
• Domestic responsibilities help in making and sustaining a family. It may not reflect in the bank statement, but it helps in managing the household.

The court also acknowledged that many women leave their professions after marriage due to social expectations and family responsibilities. It noted that returning to the workforce later may not be possible at the same professional level or salary.

Maintenance Granted

In the beginning, the magisterial court denied maintenance to the women because they believed that if a woman were educated, they are capable of being employed. Furthermore, the High Court has a view in this matter and set a sum of  ₹50,000 as maintenance after finding no evidence of independent income. 

Growing Focus on Financial Independence

The ruling also comes at a time when many women who have taken career breaks are exploring flexible education and skill-development options to strengthen their professional prospects. With the rise of online degree programmes from recognized universities, several platforms such as College Vidya are helping learners compare accredited online MBA and other postgraduate courses that can be pursued alongside family responsibilities.

While the court emphasized legal protection for homemakers, the broader conversation around financial independence and access to education continues to evolve.