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The Supreme Court ruled that homemakers are essential nation-builders, mandating a minimum notional income of ₹30,000 per month for unpaid domestic care work in accident compensation cases. This landmark judgment officially recognises the invisible economic value of domestic labour, which is traditionally excluded from gross domestic product calculations. The decision marks a critical step towards gender justice, challenging patriarchal undervaluation and laying groundwork for comprehensive care economy policies.
“Usually, the hard work women do at home—like cooking, cleaning, and raising children—is not counted as 'real work' because they aren't paid. The Supreme Court has said this work is crucial for the nation. If a homemaker dies in an accident, the court says her work should be valued at ₹30,000 a month when calculating compensation for her family.”
Social empowerment; Role of women.
The 'Care Economy' encompasses the paid and unpaid labour related to caregiving (childcare, eldercare, domestic chores). Feminist economics argues that traditional macroeconomics ignores this sector, yet it forms the invisible foundation that sustains the formal, paid economy by reproducing and maintaining the workforce.
In the context of national income accounting, why is the unpaid domestic work of homemakers traditionally excluded from GDP calculations?
The concept of 'Time-Use Surveys' in India, conducted by the NSSO, is primarily utilized to measure:
Assess the socio-economic implications of the Supreme Court's judgement assigning a notional income to homemakers. How can policy frameworks further integrate the 'care economy' into mainstream economic planning?
Connects to GS-1 Society (Role of Women) and GS-3 Economy (National Income Accounting).
Expected interview inquiries focusing on administrative neutrality, policy implications, and practical field limits.
Critical syllabus indicator for upcoming cycles: Usually, the hard work women do at home—like cooking, cleaning, and raising children—is not counted as 'real work' because they aren't paid. The Supreme Court has said this work is crucial for the nation. If a homemaker dies in an accident, the court says her work should be valued at ₹30,000 a month when calculating compensation for her family.