The Government of Karnataka constituted an Expert Committee to examine whether women employees across all factories, commercial establishments and other registered workplaces should be granted menstrual leave.

The Government has notified a Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025, sanctioning one day of paid leave per month for all women employees aged 18 to 52 years working in establishments registered under the main labour laws of the State, including factories, shops and commercial establishments, plantations, motor transport undertakings and beedi/cigar establishments. The leave applies equally to permanent, contract and outsourced women employees, ensuring uniformity across workforce categories.

The policy caps the entitlement at 12 days per year, with a clear condition that menstrual leave must be utilised within the same month and cannot be carried forward to the next month. No medical certificate or proof is required to avail the leave, removing administrative barriers and ensuring ease of access. The notification emphasises that the leave is intended to improve women’s health, mental well-being, productivity and participation in the workforce.