Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government Thursday approved a policy to provide one-day paid menstrual leave to women every month. The new policy would cover all government and private employers.
“The Karnataka government recognises the importance of health as a fundamental aspect of women’s rights and workspace wellbeing. The menstrual policy is a step towards creating an environment where women can take care of their health without stigma,” the government said in a statement.
The Menstrual Leave Policy 2025 will cover all organisations that employ women including government offices, garment industry, corporates, information technology, and other sectors.
“Our Government stands committed to dignity and wellbeing at work. Through the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, women employees across Karnataka will now receive one paid leave day every month – a step towards a more humane, understanding, and inclusive workplace,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.
Our Government stands committed to dignity and wellbeing at work.
Through the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, women employees across Karnataka will now receive one paid leave day every month – a step towards a more humane, understanding, and inclusive workplace.#MenstrualLeave… pic.twitter.com/d8sh3hJtTX
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) October 9, 2025
Karnataka’s Minister for Labour Affairs Santosh Lad termed the policy progressive and pro-women. He added that women can take any one day of paid leave during the month.
He said there is enough research that women undergo a lot of mental stress during their menstrual days. The Karnataka government had set up a committee that recommended a six-day annual paid leave but the cabinet decided to double it, Lad said.
He also said the programme would be launched with a big event which will also raise awareness about menstrual health in society.
Also Read: Paid menstrual leave is a win-win policy—make workplaces equitable, boost productivity
Other states
Karnataka follows in the footsteps of its southern neighbour Kerala that introduced a similar policy in January.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced the state’s policy on X. “Once again, Kerala sets a model for the nation. Menstrual and maternity leaves will be granted to female students of all institutions under our Department of Higher Education, reaffirming (the) LDF Government’s commitment to realising a gender just society,” Vijayan posted on X.
Other states like Bihar and Odisha too have announced a 12-day annual menstrual policy but this is limited only to government employees. In Karnataka, it is unclear how the government would enforce the bill across the state for the benefit of all workers in unorganised sectors.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: Smriti Irani is right. Period leave can lead to discrimination—because employer is the problem