Overview

• The cabinet cleared the Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025, granting women 12 paid days a year that can be used during menstruation.
• The government said the policy takes effect immediately for employees in government offices, IT firms, multinationals, garment units and other private workplaces.
• Labour Minister Santosh Lad called the measure a progressive step for women’s well-being and said employees may use the 12 days monthly or in a single block as suited to their cycle.
• Karnataka’s sector-wide coverage contrasts with limited provisions elsewhere, such as Kerala’s leave for ITI trainees and Bihar and Odisha policies confined to state staff.
• The change could touch large workforces in Bengaluru, including around five lakh garment workers, most of whom are women.