The debate over menstrual leave has been ongoing in India for years, and now a groundbreaking step has finally been taken. The Karnataka government, on Thursday, approved the “Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025” to support women employees’ well-being and foster workplace inclusivity.
Under this policy, women are entitled to one paid leave per month (total 12 days a year) during menstruation. The policy will apply to women working in government offices, garment industries, multinational corporations, IT firms, and other private sector organisations across the state. The government has officially implemented the policy, and it is now in effect.
With this new policy, Karnataka has become the first state to extend menstrual leave benefits to both government and private sector employees. In contrast, Odisha and Bihar have policies limited to government employees, while Kerala has implemented menstrual leave in universities. The initiative, introduced by Karnataka’s Labour Department, follows the recommendation of a committee that advocated for paid menstrual leave. The policy applies to all sectors employing women across the state.v
Although India does not yet have a uniform policy on menstrual leave, several states and private organisations have already introduced their own versions, according to a Cabinet note. In fact, beyond state governments, startups are also offering menstrual leave. Several private companies, including Swiggy and Zomato, provide menstrual leave to female delivery workers. Swiggy offers two days off per month during menstruation, while Zomato provides 10 days of paid leave per year.
