Karnataka Makes History: One Paid Menstrual Leave Every Month for Women Employees
In a landmark decision, the Karnataka government has approved a Menstrual Leave Policy (MLP) granting one paid menstrual leave every month for women employees — not only in government offices but also in the private sector, including IT, manufacturing, and service industries.
This makes Karnataka the first state in India to implement menstrual leave across all employment sectors, setting a progressive example for workplace inclusivity and women’s health rights.
🌸 What the Policy Says
The Karnataka Cabinet has given its approval for:
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1 day of paid menstrual leave per month (total 12 days annually)
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Applicable to all women employees in both government and private sectors
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No impact on other paid leaves (earned or casual leave)
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To be treated as a special leave category under the Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025
The move aims to create a health-supportive and gender-sensitive workplace, acknowledging the physical and emotional discomfort women often experience during menstruation.
💼 Who Benefits
This new leave policy is expected to benefit over 50 lakh (5 million) women employees in Karnataka, including:
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Government staff and PSU employees
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Private sector workers (IT, banking, retail, etc.)
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Garment and factory workers
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Contract and outsourcing employees (subject to notification)
The government has indicated that further operational details will be released through a formal notification, defining how private establishments should incorporate this policy into HR rules.
⚖️ Why It Matters
Karnataka’s move is a significant step toward workplace equality and health-based employment rights.
It recognizes that menstruation is a natural biological process, and supporting women through flexible leave policies helps reduce absenteeism, enhance productivity, and foster empathy at work.
Other Indian states like Bihar and Odisha have already introduced menstrual leave for government employees — but Karnataka’s decision is broader and more inclusive, extending to the private sector as well.
🧩 Implementation Challenges
While the intent is progressive, experts highlight key challenges:
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Ensuring uniform implementation across industries
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Preventing misuse or bias in recruitment
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Maintaining privacy — no medical proof should be required to avail the leave
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Monitoring by Labour Department and HR compliance officers
If executed thoughtfully, this initiative could become a model for other states and a benchmark for national labour reform.
💬 Expert View
According to legal and HR compliance experts, this policy aligns with global best practices — where several countries like Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia already provide menstrual leave.
For India, such measures reflect a growing recognition of women’s health rights and employee well-being within the labour law framework.
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