Karnataka Expands Paid Menstrual Leave

In a landmark expansion of menstrual health benefits, the Karnataka government has extended one day of paid menstrual leave per month to all women employed in state government departments. The decision comes weeks after the state mandated the same entitlement across private-sector establishments, triggering nationwide discussion on workplace inclusivity.

The latest government order, issued on December 2, grants the benefit to “female government employees aged 18 to 52,” bringing thousands of women working in permanent, contractual and outsourced roles under its ambit. Officials clarified that the leave can be availed without a medical certificate, and departments must record it separately from other forms of leave.

The move follows Karnataka’s earlier directive mandating menstrual leave across industries covered under the Factories Act, Shops and Establishments Act, Plantation Workers Act, Beedi and Cigar Workers Act, and Motor Transport Workers Act. That order had sparked legal scrutiny, with the Bangalore Hotels Association approaching the High Court arguing that the government had imposed the requirement on private employers without adopting it for its own staff.

By extending the leave to government employees, the state aims to address concerns over parity and strengthen its position on workplace dignity and women’s health. Departments have been instructed to ensure smooth implementation, with officials noting that the policy reflects the government’s commitment to supporting female workers across sectors.