The Karnataka government on Thursday approved “Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025” to ensure the well-being of women employees and promote workplace inclusivity.

Under the policy, women will be entitled to one paid leave per month during menstruation. The policy applies to women working in government offices, garment industries, multinational companies, IT firms, and other private sector organisations across the state.

The government has officially announced the policy, which is now in effect.

The policy has evolved from an initial 2024 proposal, which offered six menstrual leaves per year, to the current version providing twelve days of paid leave annually.

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad said, “We have approved menstrual leaves for women. It is the most progressive new law that we have brought. Women can take as many as 12 sanctioned leaves in a year, once a month or all at once, whatever they choose, as per their menstrual cycle.

It is a feather in the cap of a progressive government which thinks for the welfare of women and considers the roles she has to play.”

The Karnataka policy is part of a growing trend across India. Kerala has introduced two days of menstrual leave per month for female trainees of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), while Bihar and Odisha offer a 12-day annual menstrual leave, although only for state government employees.