- Karnataka Cabinet approved the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025, making it the first Indian state to do so
- The policy grants women employees one paid day of menstrual leave per month
- It applies to both government and private sector employees
The Karnataka government has approved the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025, which requires that women employees in the private sector and state government sector are entitled to one day of menstrual leave per month.
Therefore, Karnataka becomes the first state in India to have a menstrual leave policy for both private sector employees and public sector employees. The committee of 18 has suggested to the labour minister that a paid menstrual leave would be sought after.
Previously, the Labour Department proposed a yearly menstrual leave for up to six days at the request of the trade unions, which employers varied in their level of support.
Since November 2024, women’s organisations, trade unions, and the public have been asked to comment on the six-day paid leave policy, and responses are invited over a month.
Approval of the policy is seen as a progressive movement regarding women's rights that should assist in empowering women in the workplace.
There are active efforts to create a legal framework to carry out the policy. While there is no paid menstrual leave policy nationally, there have been a few private employers and some state governments who offer it. Prior criticism about these policies has been a concern about hiring women.
