NEWS – The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, approved the Period Leave Policy–2025 on October 9, 2025, granting one day of paid menstrual leave per month to women employees across government, private, and industrial sectors. This progressive move makes Karnataka one of the few Indian states to legally recognize menstrual health needs in the workplace.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Provisions of the Policy

• Eligibility: All female employees in government offices, private companies, and industrial sectors.
• Leave Benefit: One day of paid leave per month (total 12 days per year).
• Implementation: To be rolled out after an awareness campaign for employers and employees.
• Monitoring: Labour Department to oversee implementation; guidelines may be refined as needed.

Background and Development

• The policy was framed after a year-long consultation by the Labour Department under Minister Santhosh Lad.
• An 18-member expert committee, headed by Dr. Sapna S (Christ University), studied the physiological challenges faced by women and recommended the measure.
• Inter-departmental discussions addressed concerns regarding industrial productivity and policy misuse.

Scope and Beneficiaries

• Estimated 60 lakh working women in Karnataka to benefit.
• Around 25–30 lakh of them are employed in the corporate sector.
• Special consideration given to garment industry workers and IT employees, who have long demanded menstrual leave.

 Comparative Perspective

• Bihar: Offers two days of menstrual leave monthly.
• Odisha: Recently introduced one day of paid leave for government employees.
• Karnataka becomes the third Indian state with a formal period leave policy.