What is the average alimony in India?

Asked by: Dr. Alivia Weissnat Jr.  |  Last update: May 29, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (15 votes)

There's no single average alimony in India, as courts decide based on need, not fixed rules, but a common guideline is around 25% of the husband's net monthly salary for periodic payments, with lump-sum settlements varying (often 1/5th to 1/3rd of net worth). Recent surveys show men spend roughly 38% of their annual income on maintenance. Factors like income, lifestyle, conduct, age, and health of both parties heavily influence the final amount.

What is the average alimony payment in India?

The Supreme Court in one of its landmark judgments has set a benchmark for maintenance to be paid by a husband to his estranged wife. It stated that 25% of the net salary of the husband might constitute a “just and proper” amount as alimony.

Is alimony given after 5 years of marriage in India?

The coded laws are very reasonable. There is no Alimony in India. According to Hindu marriage act even the husband can ask for maintenance. The laws state that the wife will get maintenance according to her lifestyle before divorce. Also wife won't get maintenance if she is self sufficient in providing for herself.

Who got the highest alimony in India?

One of Bollywood's most expensive divorces was that of Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan. The couple, who were childhood sweethearts, shocked the industry when they announced their separation in 2013 after 13 years of marriage. Reports suggest that Sussanne demanded a whopping Rs 400 crore as alimony.

What is the new rule of alimony in India?

The Delhi High Court ruled on October 17, 2025, that alimony cannot be awarded to a financially self-sufficient spouse, as permanent maintenance under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act is a social justice measure, not a tool for enrichment or equalising incomes.

How Is Alimony Calculated In India? | Explained

43 related questions found

Who suffers most financially in divorce?

Financially, women often suffer more from divorce due to lower income, greater responsibility for children, and loss of shared assets, with studies showing significant income drops and higher risks of poverty, though men also face financial strains from asset division and new living expenses; high-earning spouses or business owners can also face major losses in asset division.
 

Does husband have to pay alimony if wife is working in India?

Courts assess the income and financial stability of both spouses. If the working woman's income is significantly lower than her husband's, she may still be entitled to alimony. However, if both partners have similar income levels or the woman is self-sufficient, the alimony amount might be reduced.

How much alimony did Hrithik Roshan pay?

Did you know Sussanne Khan received highest amount of alimony, Rs 380 crore after divorce with Hrithik Roshan?

Can husbands deny alimony in India?

Yes, alimony can be denied under the following circumstances: If the recipient spouse is financially independent and capable of self-sustenance. If the spouse seeking alimony has remarried. If the court finds that the spouse seeking alimony was at fault (e.g., adultery or cruelty).

Who initiates 90% of divorces?

Women initiate the majority of divorces, with studies showing they file in nearly 70% of cases, a rate rising to around 90% for college-educated women, according to research from the American Sociological Association. This trend highlights women often taking the lead in ending marriages, possibly due to higher awareness of marital problems, emotional burdens, or unmet connection needs, unlike non-marital breakups where men initiate more equally.
 

What is the new divorce law in India 2025?

Recently, by virtue of 2025 amendment, in some cases, the mandatory cooling-off period required under law has been reduced from six months to three months, as a consequence of which, under very rare circumstances, a divorce immediately may be granted.

How long does it take to pay alimony in India?

The payment is normally made for an indefinite time and it gets terminated or discontinued in case the recipient's spouse remarries or dies. According to the alimony rules in India, asprovidedinSection 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and other personal laws.

Can an ex-wife ask for alimony after divorce in India?

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, a Hindu wife can seek permanent alimony and maintenance from her ex-husband if she is unable to support herself.

Does wife get alimony if she cheated in India?

Under Indian law: A husband who proves that his wife is living in adultery may not be required to pay her maintenance under Section 125(4) CrPC. Conversely, a wife can claim interim maintenance or permanent alimony under Section 24 and 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, provided she is not found guilty of adultery.

Can a husband leave his wife without divorce in India?

Legal Recognition of Separation Without Divorce

Judicial separation is a legal arrangement wherein a married couple is allowed to live separately without terminating their marriage. Either spouse can file for judicial separation on grounds similar to divorce, such as: Cruelty. Adultery.

Why do men have to pay alimony in India?

Popularly referred to as "maintenance" in Indian law, alimony is a monetary support one spouse pays to another after separation or divorce to maintain a standard of living comparable to that during the marriage.

How much alimony did Saif Ali Khan get?

Saif Ali Khan married Amrita Singh in 1991 and they had two kids, Sara and Ibrahim. After 13 years, they divorced, and Saif reportedly paid Rs 5 crore in alimony and Rs 1 lakh per month until his son turned 18. In a throwback interview, he admitted the financial burden, saying he wasn't as wealthy as Shah Rukh Khan.

Who paid the highest alimony in India?

Top 10 Highest Paid Alimony by Famous People!

  • Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan. ...
  • Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma. ...
  • Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta. ...
  • Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur. ...
  • Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh. ...
  • Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan. ...
  • Farhan Akhtar and Adhuna Bhabani. ...
  • Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott.

Who pays the highest alimony in the world?

From Gates to Bezos: 8 largest ever alimony settlements that rival nations' GDP

  • 1/9. Largest alimony settlements ever. ...
  • 2/9. Bill Gates and Melinda Gates (2021) - USD 76 Billion. ...
  • 3/9. Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott (2019) - USD 38 Billion. ...
  • 4/9. Rupert Murdoch and Anna Murdoch (1999) - USD 1.7 Billion. ...
  • 5/9. ...
  • 6/9. ...
  • 7/9. ...
  • 8/9.

Who loses the most in a divorce?

There's no single answer, as children often suffer significant emotional distress, while adults experience unique financial and emotional challenges, with women generally facing greater financial hardship and men often experiencing worse mental health outcomes like depression and suicide risk, according to various studies. Both partners face a decline in their standard of living, but women's income often drops more drastically due to lower earnings and caregiving roles, while men struggle with financial obligations, loneliness, and potential loss of connection with children. 

What is the new rule for alimony in India?

The Delhi High Court on October 17, 2025 has ruled that alimony cannot be awarded to a financially self-sufficient spouse, observing that permanent maintenance under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act is a measure of social justice, and not a tool for enrichment or for equalising income between spouses.

What if the wife makes more money in divorce?

Here's the reality: when women are the breadwinners, they often end up paying alimony or spousal support—roles traditionally associated with men. This financial shift can be surprising, even frustrating, especially in high net worth divorce cases where major assets are at stake.

What is the 10 10 10 rule for divorce?

The 10/10 rule in military divorce determines if a former spouse can get direct payments from a military pension; it requires the marriage to have lasted 10 years or more, overlapping with 10 years or more of the service member's creditable military service, allowing Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) https://www.dfas.mil/Garnishment/usfspa/legal/ DFAS to send their share of the pension directly, otherwise the service member pays the ex-spouse directly. This rule, under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA) (USFSPA), doesn't affect eligibility for pension division but dictates how the payment is made, ensuring more reliable payment to the former spouse. 

Who regrets divorce most?

While surveys vary, some suggest men regret divorce more, but regret is common for both genders, often tied to who initiated it, financial strain (especially for women), or failing to try harder in the marriage; the person who ended the marriage often experiences regret, regardless of gender, feeling they should have done more to save it. Key factors influencing regret include financial impact (often harder on women), the specific reasons for divorce (e.g., infidelity vs. incompatibility), and the level of personal adaptation post-divorce. 

What are the four behaviors that cause 90% of all divorces?

The four behaviors that predict divorce with over 90% accuracy, known as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, identified by relationship expert Dr. John Gottman; these destructive communication patterns erode respect and connection, leading to marital breakdown.