The Karnataka government has on Thursday introduced the “Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025” with a view to providing appropriate support for the health of women employees and to create inclusiveness in the workplace.
The policy provides eligible women with one paid leave day a month for the duration of their menstruation. The policy applies to women working in government offices, the garment industry, multinational companies, information technology companies, and other private organizations throughout the state.
The policy has been formally implemented by the government. It has gone from being a proposal for menstrual leave in 2024 allowing women to take six leaves a year, to the latest plan, allowing women twelve paid leaves a year.
Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad stated, “We have approved menstrual leaves for women. It is the most progressive new law that we have brought. Women can take as many as 12 sanctioned leaves in a year, once a month or all at once, whatever they choose as per their menstrual cycle. 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.”
#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad says, "We have approved menstrual leaves for women. It is the most progressive new law that we have brought it. Women can take as many as 12 sanctioned leaves in a year, once a month or all at once, whatever they choose as per… pic.twitter.com/If0Djb6Qlq
— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2025
The Karnataka policy is indicative of a growing trend across India. Kerala has introduced two days of menstrual leave per month for female trainees of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), while both Bihar and Odisha provide a 12-day annual menstrual leave though restricted to state government employees only.
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