Karnataka expands Shuchi scheme, menstrual cups to reach class 9-12 girls across the State

State clears ₹61.35 crore plan to distribute sanitary napkins and menstrual cups to 19.64 lakh students, aiming for sustainability and major cost savings from 2025-26.

The Karnataka government has given revised administrative approval for the procurement and distribution of sanitary napkins and menstrual cups under the Shuchi programme for the year 2025-26, covering nearly 19.64 lakh adolescent girls studying from Class 6 to II Pre-University (PU).

As part of a shift towards environmentally sustainable and cost-effective menstrual hygiene practices, the State has decided to expand the use of menstrual cups across Karnataka from the next academic year. This decision follows the successful implementation of a pilot project in two districts.

According to the government order issued last week, menstrual cups will be introduced only for students from Classes 9 to 12, while students from Classes 6 to 8 will continue to receive sanitary napkins. This approach is intended to ensure uninterrupted access to menstrual hygiene products during the transition phase. Even among older students, the use of menstrual cups will be completely voluntary, and beneficiaries may continue to opt for sanitary napkins if they choose.

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Menstrual cups were earlier introduced on a pilot basis in Chamarajanagar and Dakshina Kannada districts, where around 15,000 cups were distributed. The pilot programme was designed to assess acceptance levels, comfort, usage practices and overall awareness among adolescent girls. Officials said feedback from this exercise played a key role in the decision to cautiously expand the initiative statewide.

The procurement process will be handled by the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) and carried out in compliance with the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act and its rules.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the government has approved the purchase of 1.79 crore units of sanitary napkins, with each unit containing 10 pads, at an estimated cost of ₹30.47 per unit. In addition, 10.38 lakh menstrual cups will be procured at an estimated unit cost of ₹65.34. The total approved expenditure for the programme stands at ₹61.35 crore.

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Under the revised distribution model for students of Classes 9 and 10 and first- and second-year PU, beneficiaries will receive six units of sanitary napkins along with one menstrual cup for a six-month period. Earlier, students received 12 units of sanitary napkins. The government estimates that this change will result in savings of approximately ₹17.26 crore on sanitary napkins, while also providing students with an additional menstrual hygiene option.