PERIOD ON THE RECORD: KARNATAKA’S BIG BET ON MENSTRUAL LEAVE

With Karnataka approving one paid day of menstrual leave a month for women across government and private sector workplaces, more than 50 lakh women workers now have a new line in their leave entitlement. What that actually does to women’s working lives is still an open question.

- ‘TDG NETWORK

Under the state’s Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, women employees aged 18-52 can take 12 days of period leave a year, on top of regular casual and earned leave. The rule is meant to apply across registered establishments ~ from government offices and PSUs to garment factories, IT parks and small shops - making Karnataka the first state to mandate such leave across sectors. There is no requirement to produce a medical certificate; women simply apply for a day’s menstrual leave, which is recorded separately in attendance registers.