Homemakers are 'nation builders', their work worth at least Rs 30,000 a month: Supreme Court
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📌 Summary:
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The Supreme Court (June 11, 2026) ruled that the unpaid domestic work of homemakers must be monetised at a minimum of Rs 30,000 per month while computing motor-accident death compensation.
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The Court observed that homemakers deserve recognition as "nation builders".
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The ruling arose from a Motor Vehicles Act claim where a woman (Reshma) died in a 2001 Punjab road accident; the High Court had enhanced compensation to Rs 8.43 lakh with 7.5% interest.
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Recognising notional income for homemakers ensures dependants get fairer compensation and affirms the economic value of unpaid care work.
🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS1 Society (value of unpaid care work, gender and the economy) and GS2 (judiciary, social justice) — feeds debates on counting women's domestic labour in GDP and welfare policy.
📝 Prelims Facts:
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The compensation principle applies under the Motor Vehicles Act for fatal road-accident claims.
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"Notional income" is income imputed to a non-earning person (like a homemaker) for compensation purposes.
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The case was decided by the Supreme Court on an appeal originating from a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Punjab.
🔑 Key Term: Notional income — an estimated income assigned to a non-earning individual (e.g., a homemaker) so that fair compensation can be computed.
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