In a ground‑breaking move aimed at enhancing women’s workplace welfare and health, the Karnataka state government has officially notified a policy that grants eligible women employees one paid leave day each month, amounting to 12 days annually, for menstrual reasons. The order, issued by the state’s Labour Department on 12 November 2025, covers female workers aged 18 to 52 across both government and private sectors.
The policy applies to permanent, contractual, and outsourced women employees within establishments registered under key labour statutes, including the Factories Act, 1948, the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, the Plantation Workers Act, 1951, the Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966, and the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961. Women employees between the ages of 18 and 52 will be entitled to 12 paid menstrual leave days each year, effectively one per month. The leave must be taken in the month it arises and cannot be carried forward. Employees will not need to furnish a medical certificate to avail this leave.
The initiative follows the approval of the policy by the state cabinet in October 2025, after consultation with an expert committee chaired by a law professor. The committee initially proposed six days of annual leave, but this was enhanced to 12 in the final version. According to government statements, the objective is to promote women’s physical health, mental well‑being, and workplace efficiency by formally recognising menstrual health as a workplace welfare issue. The policy is being hailed as a first-of-its-kind comprehensive measure in India.
While the policy covers a wide range of industries, including garment factories, IT firms, multinational corporations, and private enterprises, some smaller employers and business associations have raised questions about operational logistics and potential unintended consequences. The government has emphasised awareness campaigns and implementation support to ensure smooth rollout.
With this policy, Karnataka has taken a pioneering step towards institutionalising menstrual leave across both public and private sectors. By enabling women to avail a paid day off each month without paperwork, the state aims to normalise and destigmatise menstrual health in the workplace while improving productivity and employee morale. The success of the initiative will depend on robust implementation, employer cooperation, and monitoring of its impact on women’s health and workforce participation. Karnataka’s move could mark the beginning of a broader transformation in how workplaces across India treat menstrual health and gender‑inclusive labour practices.
