Karnataka approves paid menstrual leave policy for women employees

The Karnataka cabinet has approved a new policy granting women employees one paid menstrual leave per month, marking one of the most expansive workplace inclusivity measures introduced by an Indian state.

The “Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025” applies to women working in government offices, garment factories, multinational companies, IT firms and private sector organisations across Karnataka. Officials said the decision was taken to safeguard women’s health and promote gender-sensitive workplace practices.

Labour Minister Santosh Lad described the move as “the most progressive new law we have brought”, adding that women will have flexibility in how the 12 sanctioned days are used. “They can take one leave every month or club them together depending on their cycle,” he said. “It is a feather in the cap of a progressive government which thinks for the welfare of women and considers the roles she has to play.”

A shift from proposal to policy

The measure builds on an earlier proposal tabled in 2024, which offered six menstrual leave days per year. The revised version doubles the allowance to 12 days annually, bringing Karnataka’s policy in line with, and in some ways ahead of, measures in other Indian states.

The government confirmed that the policy has come into immediate effect following cabinet approval.

The Karnataka initiative reflects a broader debate on menstrual leave across India. Kerala has allowed two days of menstrual leave per month, but only for female trainees of Industrial Training Institutes. Bihar and Odisha provide 12 annual menstrual leave days, though these apply solely to women employed in state government offices.

Karnataka’s approach stands out because it explicitly covers private sector organisations as well, including technology and manufacturing firms, which together employ millions of women across the state.

A global conversation

The policy also feeds into a growing international conversation around menstrual health in the workplace. Spain in 2023 became the first European country to legislate paid menstrual leave, granting up to three days off per month. Japan has had a menstrual leave provision in its labour law since 1947, though uptake has historically been low due to stigma.

By formalising a monthly entitlement, Karnataka has signalled an intent to normalise menstrual health as a legitimate workplace concern rather than a private issue for employees to manage alone.

The state government now faces questions on implementation and compliance, particularly in sectors such as garments and information technology that employ large female workforces under demanding schedules.

Business groups have yet to issue formal responses, but labour rights organisations welcomed the move. Policy analysts noted that the legislation could set a precedent for other states and potentially shape future national labour reforms.

For employees, the immediate effect is clear. Women across Karnataka now have a legal entitlement to one day of paid leave per month during menstruation, making the state a frontrunner in India’s evolving debate on gender, health and workplace equity.