Karnataka Becomes First Indian State to Approve Menstrual Leave for Public and Private Sector Employees

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025, allowing women in both the private sector and state government jobs to take one day of menstrual leave each month. With this move, Karnataka becomes the first state in India to extend menstrual leave to employees across public and private sectors.
The policy follows recommendations from an 18-member committee that submitted a report to the state’s Labour Minister, advocating for paid menstrual leave. Earlier proposals suggested six days of leave annually, which had received mixed responses from employers and support from trade unions.
In November 2024, the Labour Department invited feedback from women’s organizations, trade unions, and the public on the proposed six-day leave policy, giving stakeholders a month to submit their opinions.
The new policy is being hailed as a progressive step toward empowering women and safeguarding their rights in the workforce. Officials have indicated that a legal framework will be put in place to ensure effective implementation.
Currently, there is no national-level policy on paid menstrual leave, although several private companies and some state governments offer such benefits. Critics, however, have previously expressed concerns that menstrual leave policies might affect women’s employment opportunities.
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