Karnataka becomes first state to mandate paid menstrual leave for all working women

The Karnataka government has approved the Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025, granting one paid leave per month for women employees across public and private sectors to promote inclusivity and well-being.

In a landmark move, the Karnataka government on Thursday officially approved the “Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025”, becoming the first state in India to extend menstrual leave benefits to women across both government and private sectors.

Also Read:Jain College students write to NewsFirst seeking media support after sexual harrassment case against HOD

Under this progressive policy, all women employees, from government offices and garment industries to IT firms and multinational companies, will be entitled to one paid leave per month during menstruation. This translates to twelve days of paid leave annually, ensuring women have access to rest and comfort during their menstrual cycles without compromising their income or work performance.

The initiative, now in effect, evolved from an earlier 2024 proposal that had suggested six menstrual leaves a year. After consultations with the Labour Department and women’s welfare groups, the government revised the plan to twelve leaves per year, recognising the need for stronger workplace inclusivity measures.

Also Read:India Mushroom Summit 2025 scheduled in Bengaluru from November 3-7

Officials said the Labour Department had sought administrative approval to make the policy mandatory for all employers within Karnataka, covering government institutions, private companies, garment factories, and IT industries. The Cabinet’s final nod on Thursday signals a decisive shift in state labour welfare priorities.

While Kerala currently allows two days of menstrual leave for female ITI trainees, and Bihar and Odisha provide 12 days of annual leave for state government employees, Karnataka’s policy is the first in India to extend the benefit across both public and private sectors, setting a new national benchmark.

Also Read:AI giant Anthropic to launch first India office in Bengaluru by 2026