In India, the laws governing maintenance for a married woman are primarily covered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973. The laws are applicable to Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi and other religious communities.
According to the Hindu Marriage Act, a husband has an obligation to provide maintenance to his wife during the subsistence of marriage, irrespective of whether she is earning or not. This includes providing her with food, clothing, residence, and medical attendance.
In case of a divorce, the husband is liable to pay maintenance to his wife. The amount of maintenance is decided based on factors such as the income and expenses of both parties, the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage, and the earning capacity of the wife.
Under the Criminal Procedure Code, a woman can file a petition for maintenance under Section 125 CrPC. This section provides for the maintenance of a wife who is unable to maintain herself, from her husband. The amount of maintenance is decided by the court based on the husband's income and the wife's needs.
It is important to note that maintenance is not limited to just monetary assistance. The courts can also order the husband to provide for the wife's medical expenses, education expenses, and even provide a lump sum amount to meet any outstanding financial obligations.
In addition to the above, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, provides for the right of a wife to claim maintenance in case of domestic violence.
Overall, the laws in India aim to ensure that a married woman is provided with adequate maintenance and financial support during and after the marriage.