In simple words, maintenance is an amount which is given in the form of financial assistance to either of the party. All the provisions of Hindu law shall apply to Hindus including Sikh, Jains and Buddhists as defined in Section 2 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. According to Section 3 (b)1, “Maintenance” includes (i) in all cases, provision for food, clothing, residence, education and medical attendance and treatment; (ii) in the case of an unmarried daughter, also the reasonable expenses of an incident to her marriage. The basic motive of providing the maintenance is to maintain an equitable standard of living of the spouse or any other dependent personality as it was before the separation. This article will provide you insights about various provisions relating to the maintenance under Hindu law. Types of Maintenance: 1. Interim Maintenance: It is additionally known as maintenance pendente lite that the court awards while the proceedings for divorce are still going on. The aim is to provide the claimant the income for support and necessary expenses of proceedings. Section 24 of Hindu Marriage Act,1955 deals with such kind of maintenance. Either of the spouses can claim such maintenance. 2. Permanent Maintenance: It means the granting of maintenance in the form of either periodical or monthly sums once the proceedings are done with. It is given in Section 25 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Either of the spouses can claim such maintenance.