Rising Inflation Pushes Nearly Half of Daily Cases at Pune Family Court to Seek Maintenance

Pune, 10th February 2026: Rising inflation and escalating education costs have led to a sharp increase in applications seeking enhancement of maintenance at the Shivajinagar Family Court, with nearly half of the daily cases now linked to maintenance disputes.

Maintenance amounts fixed years ago are no longer enough to meet a child’s basic needs, according to lawyers. Family courts continue to see a steady rise in pleas for higher support.

For women living separately from their husbands or surviving on maintenance after divorce, inflation has become a daily struggle. Many say the amount they receive is exhausted by the middle of the month. Managing children’s education, healthcare, and routine household expenses has become increasingly difficult.

While inflation affects all families, the burden is heavier on separated women, especially those living in urban areas. Amounts fixed five or ten years ago no longer reflect present-day realities. School fees, private tuition, medical costs, transport expenses, and rising food prices have made it nearly impossible to balance income and expenditure.

Over the past few years, more women have approached the court seeking relief to secure their children’s future. In the last two years alone, applications for enhancement of maintenance have risen significantly.

However, the legal process, related expenses, and mental stress continue to make the fight difficult for many women.

Maintenance fixed years ago is no longer sufficient. Children’s education costs have gone up sharply. Seeking an increase has become a necessity, and it is encouraging that courts are now looking at these cases more empathetically, said Advocate Rahul Jadhav, Treasurer of the Pune Family Court Lawyers Association.

The Pune Family Court Lawyers Association has been advocating for more comprehensive and flexible maintenance laws to address these growing challenges. They emphasize the need for regular reviews of maintenance amounts to keep up with inflation and changing economic conditions.

In response to the increasing number of cases, the court is also exploring ways to expedite the process and provide more immediate relief to those in need. This includes setting up special benches and training judges to handle maintenance cases more efficiently.

The situation highlights the broader economic and social issues faced by divorced and separated women in urban areas. It underscores the need for a more supportive legal framework and social safety nets to ensure that children and families can maintain a decent standard of living despite financial hardships.

Advocates and legal experts are calling for a holistic approach that includes not only financial support but also psychological and emotional support for families going through these difficult times. They argue that a more integrated and compassionate system can help alleviate the burden and provide a better future for the next generation.