Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy – One Day Paid Leave per Month

Key facts

• The Karnataka government issued notifications on 12 November 2025 and 20 November 2025 providing women employees with one day of paid menstrual leave each month.
• The Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025 proposes monthly paid menstrual leave for women in both government offices and private establishments and a 2 per cent attendance relaxation for girl students in government and private educational institutions.
• The Karnataka High Court directed the state government to ensure effective operationalisation of the menstrual leave policy through suitable guidelines, circulars and administrative instructions across organised and unorganised sectors.
• The petition prompting the court's direction was filed by Chandravva Hanamant Gokavi, a hotel worker from Belgavi.
• The court observed that the policy is intrinsically linked to the realisation of a fundamental right and the constitutional promise of equality.