What is Alimony (Maintenance) in India?

Alimony, also known as “maintenance,” is a legally enforceable financial support that one spouse must provide to the other during or after separation or divorce. Its purpose is not to punish either spouse, but to ensure that the financially weaker spouse is able to maintain a dignified standard of living during litigation and after marital dissolution.

In India, the concept of alimony arises under multiple statutes. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, and persons married under the Special Marriage Act have separate personal laws governing marriage and divorce. However, the core principle is uniform — no spouse should suffer financial hardship merely due to the breakdown of marriage.

Alimony may be granted as:

• Interim Maintenance: Financial support during divorce proceedings.

• Permanent Alimony: One-time lump sum or periodic monthly payments after divorce.

• Child Support: Separate amount for upbringing, education, and welfare of children.

• Residence, basic needs, medical care, and compensation under certain laws.

The Court decides the amount after examining the financial capacity, needs, liabilities, and lifestyle of both spouses.

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How Indian Courts Actually Calculate Alimony

There is no fixed formula for calculating alimony in India. Courts use judicial discretion based on evidence, financial documents, and circumstances of the parties. The most authoritative guidelines were laid down by the Supreme Court in Rajnish vs. Neha (2020), which created a uniform framework across all Indian Courts.

Courts examine financial disclosures of both spouses, including:

• Salary slips

• Bank statements

• Income tax returns

• Property records

• Proof of liabilities

• Standard of living during marriage

• Cost of living in respective states/cities

The goal is fairness — ensuring that the dependent spouse is not left without support, while the earning spouse is not overburdened beyond reasonable capacity.

8 Major Factors Courts Consider While Calculating Alimony

Indian Courts follow a consistent set of legal principles derived from Supreme Court rulings, High Court judgments, and statutory provisions. The most important determinants are:

1. Standard of Living Enjoyed During Marriage
   Courts aim to maintain a lifestyle as close as possible to what the spouse enjoyed while living together.

2. Actual Income and Earning Capacity of Both Parties
   Courts consider:

   • Monthly salary

   • Business income

   • Rental income

   • Investments

   • Potential earning capacity (qualification, work experience, health)

3. Needs of Wife and Dependent Children
   Expenses such as schooling, medical care, transportation, food, clothing, and residence are factored in.

4. Duration of Marriage
   Long marriages typically result in higher or longer alimony. Short marriages may result in limited or no permanent alimony.

5. Age and Health Condition of Both Spouses
   Elderly or physically unwell spouses may receive more support.

6. Child Custody and Financial Responsibilities
   If the wife has custody, maintenance burden increases on the husband.

7. Financial Liabilities, Loans, and Dependents
   Courts account for real obligations such as EMIs, parental care, or dependent siblings.

8. Contribution to Household (Financial and Non-Financial)
   Homemaker contributions are treated as equal in law.
   Sacrificing career opportunities for marital responsibilities is given strong weightage.

These factors form the backbone of modern Indian alimony jurisprudence.

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Types of Laws Under Which Alimony Can Be Claimed

Alimony may be awarded under:

• Section 125 CrPC – Maintenance for wives, children, and parents.

• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Section 24 (Interim), Section 25 (Permanent Alimony)

• Special Marriage Act, 1954 – Section 36 & 37

• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 – Section 20, 22

• Muslim Personal Law (Shariat), 1937

• Christian and Parsi Marriage Acts

Each law has separate rules, but the Court’s final calculation is based on financial need and capacity.

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How Courts Usually Decide the Amount (Practical Ranges)

(This is not a fixed rule; just an observed judicial trend.)

• Interim maintenance: Often ranges between 20% to 35% of the husband’s net monthly income.

• Permanent alimony (lump sum): Commonly between 1/5th to 1/3rd of the husband's total assets, depending on circumstances.

• Child support: Based on actual educational, health, and lifestyle needs of the child.

These figures vary widely depending on evidence, documents, conduct, and regional economic differences.

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Disclaimer (Important Legal Notice)

This alimony calculator provides a preliminary financial estimate based on publicly available legal principles, typical judicial trends, and financial assumptions.
It is not a substitute for legal advice.
Indian Courts use a wide range of factors, evidence, and judicial discretion; final awards may differ significantly from calculated results.

1. What is alimony and who is eligible to receive it?

Alimony (maintenance) is financial support ordered by a court for a spouse who cannot maintain themselves after separation or divorce.
Eligibility depends on factors such as income disparity, standard of living, dependency, duration of marriage, health, and responsibilities for children. Both wives and husbands may claim maintenance, depending on the law applicable.

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2. How do courts decide the exact alimony amount?

Courts examine financial disclosure documents such as salary slips, tax returns, property records, bank statements, liabilities, and living expenses.
The Supreme Court guidelines in Rajnish vs. Neha (2020) mandate detailed financial affidavits from both spouses.
There is no fixed formula; courts weigh needs vs. capacity on a case-by-case basis.

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3. Is there any standard percentage for calculating alimony in India?

No statutory percentage exists.
However, judicial trends show that interim maintenance is often around 20–35% of the husband’s net monthly income, depending on circumstances. Lump-sum permanent alimony often ranges between one-fifth to one-third of total assets.

These are not mandatory rules; courts use discretion.

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4. Can a husband also claim alimony from his wife?

Yes. Under Indian law, if the husband is financially dependent or unable to maintain himself, he can seek maintenance from a financially stable wife under Section 24 or 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act and other applicable laws.

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5. Is alimony the same as child support?

No.
Alimony is for the spouse.
Child support is a separate amount intended solely for children’s education, upbringing, medical care, and day-to-day expenses. Child support continues regardless of the spouse’s alimony.

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6. What happens if the spouse hides income or property?

Courts can draw “adverse inference,” impose penalties, order income verification, or direct tax and bank authorities to submit records.
The Supreme Court requires strict financial disclosure from both parties. Hiding income can lead to higher maintenance orders.

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7. Does the wife automatically get alimony after divorce?

No. Judges evaluate eligibility. A financially independent spouse who can maintain herself may not receive alimony.
However, a spouse with no income, irregular employment, or dependent children is more likely to receive support.

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8. How does remarriage affect alimony?

If the receiving spouse remarries, permanent alimony usually stops.
However, child support continues because it is unrelated to the spouse’s remarriage.

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9. Can alimony be modified in the future?

Yes.
Either spouse can request modification if there is a major change in circumstances such as loss of job, medical condition, remarriage, or significant change in income.

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10. How long does interim maintenance last?

Interim maintenance is temporary support given during ongoing court proceedings.
It continues until the final judgment of the divorce or maintenance case, after which permanent maintenance may be decided separately.

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11. Is one-time settlement (lump sum) better than monthly alimony?

Lump sum ensures finality and avoids future disputes.
Monthly maintenance provides steady support but may lead to repeated litigation if payments stop.
Courts decide based on financial stability, assets, and mutual agreement.

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12. Can working wives still get alimony?

Yes, if the income is insufficient to maintain the lifestyle enjoyed during marriage or if they have the burden of children's expenses. Merely having a job does not automatically disqualify a spouse from maintenance.

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13. Do courts consider adultery or cruelty while granting alimony?

Yes.
Misconduct, domestic violence, abandonment, or cruelty can influence the amount.
However, even if divorce is granted on grounds like cruelty, the financially weaker spouse may still receive support.

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14. What documents are required for claiming alimony?

Common documents include:

• ID proof

• Marriage certificate

• Salary slips

• Bank statements

• ITRs

• Rent agreements

• Medical bills

• School/child expense records

• Proof of property and liabilities

Courts require full financial transparency.

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15. How accurate is this Alimony Calculator?

The calculator provides an estimated range based on commonly used judicial indicators and typical income-to-maintenance ratios seen in Indian courts.
Actual court decisions may differ depending on evidence, regional cost of living, conduct of parties, and judicial discretion.
The calculator is for guidance, not a substitute for professional legal consultation. 

1. Alimony Calculator in Madhya Pradesh

If you live in Madhya Pradesh and want to calculate alimony or maintenance after separation or divorce, use our instant alimony calculator. The formula works for CRPC 125, HMA Section 24, and DV Act cases. Whether you are from Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur or any MP district, this tool helps you estimate how much maintenance may legally be awarded.

2. Alimony Calculator in Uttar Pradesh

Citizens of Uttar Pradesh can quickly calculate their monthly alimony or maintenance using our online tool. Whether the case is under CRPC 125 or the Hindu Marriage Act, the calculation gives an approximate amount based on income comparison. Works for Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Prayagraj, Noida and all UP districts.

3. Alimony Calculator in Maharashtra

For people living in Maharashtra—including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and other districts—our alimony calculator helps estimate spousal maintenance as per standard guidelines followed by Indian courts. Just enter both incomes and get instant results.

4. Alimony Calculator in Rajasthan

Whether you are in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur or any other Rajasthan district, our calculator provides an approximate alimony amount based on income, dependents and legal provisions like CRPC 125 and HMA.

5. Alimony Calculator in Gujarat

From Ahmedabad to Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and other parts of Gujarat—citizens can use this tool to instantly calculate maintenance after separation or divorce. The calculation uses a standard formula accepted by most courts.

6. Alimony Calculator in Delhi

For all residents of Delhi—South Delhi, West Delhi, Rohini, Dwarka, Saket and all courts—this calculator helps you estimate maintenance payable under CRPC 125, DV Act and HMA Section 24.

7. Alimony Calculator in Haryana

If you are from Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Karnal, Panipat or any Haryana district, the calculator gives you an approximate idea of alimony based on income and marital details.

8. Alimony Calculator in Punjab

Residents of Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mohali and all Punjab districts can use our alimony calculator to understand possible maintenance amounts during divorce or separation.

9. Alimony Calculator in Bihar

People living in Patna, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and other Bihar districts can instantly calculate their monthly alimony using our calculator based on standard legal principles.

10. Alimony Calculator in Jharkhand

This tool helps citizens of Ranchi, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Bokaro and all Jharkhand districts estimate alimony/maintenance amounts under CRPC 125 and HMA provisions.

11. Alimony Calculator in Chhattisgarh

From Raipur to Bilaspur, Durg, Korba and all CG districts, residents can use this calculator to check estimated maintenance payable after separation.

12. Alimony Calculator in Karnataka

Whether you live in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Belagavi or any Karnataka city, this tool provides an instant estimate of alimony under Indian legal guidelines.

13. Alimony Calculator in Tamil Nadu

People from Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem and other Tamil Nadu districts can calculate alimony based on income and dependent details.

14. Alimony Calculator in Kerala

Residents of Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur and all Kerala districts can use the calculator to estimate monthly maintenance.

15. Alimony Calculator in Andhra Pradesh

Whether you are in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nellore or any AP district, this calculator gives a quick estimate of spousal support payable.

16. Alimony Calculator in Telangana

Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and all Telangana districts can use this calculator to check maintenance calculations easily.

17. Alimony Calculator in West Bengal

Citizens of Kolkata, Siliguri, Howrah, Durgapur, Asansol and other WB areas can estimate alimony as per standard legal formulas.

18. Alimony Calculator in Odisha

Residents of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri and all Odisha districts can instantly calculate maintenance under CRPC 125 or HMA.

19. Alimony Calculator in Assam

From Guwahati to Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Silchar and other Assam districts, this calculator helps estimate maintenance payable.

20. Alimony Calculator in Uttarakhand

Residents of Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Haldwani, Roorkee can use this tool to calculate alimony based on income.

21. Alimony Calculator in Himachal Pradesh

Citizens of Shimla, Mandi, Solan, Dharamshala and all HP districts can instantly calculate an approximate alimony amount.

22. Alimony Calculator in Goa

Residents in North Goa and South Goa can use this tool for easy alimony estimation.

23. Alimony Calculator in Tripura

Agartala and all Tripura district residents can use this calculator to check maintenance amounts.

24. Alimony Calculator in Meghalaya

Shillong and nearby district residents can calculate alimony instantly with this tool.

25. Alimony Calculator in Manipur

Imphal and all Manipur district residents can estimate maintenance using our calculator.

26. Alimony Calculator in Mizoram

Citizens of Aizawl and all Mizoram regions can calculate alimony easily.

27. Alimony Calculator in Nagaland

Residents of Kohima, Dimapur and all Nagaland districts can use this tool for monthly maintenance estimates.

28. Alimony Calculator in Sikkim

Gangtok and entire Sikkim region residents can calculate alimony instantly.

29. Alimony Calculator in Jammu & Kashmir

Residents of Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Udhampur and all J&K districts can use this calculator for instant maintenance estimation.

30. Alimony Calculator in Mumbai

Mumbai residents can easily estimate alimony/maintenance using our instant calculator based on standard Indian legal formulas for CRPC 125, HMA and DV Act.

1. Alimony Calculator in Delhi

Delhi citizens can calculate alimony instantly by comparing incomes and dependent details as per court guidelines.

2. Alimony Calculator in Bangalore

Bengaluru residents can check approximate alimony amounts using our tool designed as per Indian maintenance laws.

3. Alimony Calculator in Kolkata

Kolkata residents can use this calculator to estimate monthly spousal support after separation or divorce.

4. Alimony Calculator in Chennai

Chennai citizens can instantly calculate maintenance as per standard income-based formulas.

5. Alimony Calculator in Hyderabad

Hyderabad users can quickly get an estimate of alimony payable under Indian law.

6. Alimony Calculator in Pune

Pune residents can calculate alimony by entering income details and dependent count.

7. Alimony Calculator in Ahmedabad

Residents of Ahmedabad can check maintenance estimates instantly under CRPC 125 and HMA.

8. Alimony Calculator in Surat

Surat users can easily calculate approximate alimony using our online tool.

9. Alimony Calculator in Jaipur

Jaipur residents can get an estimated alimony amount through this instant calculator.

How to Calculate Alimony in India

Alimony in India is calculated by comparing the net monthly incomes of both spouses and assessing financial needs, liabilities, lifestyle, and dependents as per Supreme Court guidelines (Rajnish vs. Neha, 2020). Courts typically consider 20–35% of the husband’s net income as interim maintenance, subject to evidence and judicial discretion.