At a glance
- Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025 (Policy), granting women one paid leave per month. The Policy is yet to be notified.
- Once notified, the Policy will apply to both public and private sector employees, including information technology firms, multinational companies, and garment units.
- Women in the state of Karnataka will be entitled to up to 12 menstrual leaves annually, doubling the earlier recommendation of six menstrual leaves made by the 2024 panel report.
- Unlike other Indian states which extended menstrual leaves to women in specific sectors, Karnataka has positioned itself as a national leader in menstrual health reform with this Policy.
- This development marks a significant step in recognising menstrual health as a workplace and rights issue.
We would like to express gratitude to JSA for their contribution on this publication.
In a landmark decision on 9 October 2025, the Karnataka Cabinet approved the Policy, making it the first Indian state to mandate paid menstrual leaves across both public and private sectors. Female employees, including those in government offices, IT companies, multinational companies, and garment units, will now be entitled to one paid leave per month, totalling up to 12 days annually.
The Policy stems from a 2024 report by an expert panel tasked with drafting the ‘Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products Bill’. It reflects Karnataka’s formal recognition of menstrual health as a key component of women’s rights and workplace welfare.
While central-level legislative efforts have stalled, Karnataka joins a handful of states with existing provisions, such as Bihar, Kerala, Odisha, and Sikkim, though none match its comprehensive scope. Globally, countries like Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Portugal have introduced similar policies, with varying uptake and coverage.
Looking ahead, implementation details remain pending. Key concerns include safeguarding confidentiality, preventing workplace bias, and addressing the exclusion of unorganised sector workers. These factors will likely shape the next phase of reform.
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