The Supreme Court ruled that unpaid domestic work performed by homemakers must be valued at a minimum of ₹30,000 per month
June 11, 2026: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that the unpaid domestic work performed by homemakers should be valued at a minimum of ₹30,000 per month for calculating compensation in road accident death cases. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh observed that the traditional practice of assessing homemakers’ income on par with skilled or unskilled workers does not adequately reflect the economic and social value of their contribution. The court said compensation must account for the loss of domestic care services provided by homemakers.
The bench described homemakers as “nation builders” and emphasized that their unpaid labour plays a crucial role in supporting families and society. The ruling arose from a long-pending compensation case related to the death of a woman named Reshma in a road accident in Punjab in 2001. Her family had approached the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal seeking compensation, and the matter eventually reached the Supreme Court after more than two decades of litigation.
Expressing concern over delays in motor accident compensation cases, the court stated that such matters should ideally be resolved within one year. The judges urged all High Courts to closely monitor pending claims and ensure timely disposal. The decision is expected to significantly influence compensation calculations across India by providing greater recognition to the economic value of unpaid domestic care work performed by homemakers.