Bengaluru working women to get menstrual leave: Eligibility, number of leaves and all you need to know

The order granting menstrual leave in Karnataka was issued on November 12.

Updated on: Nov 13, 2025, 10:51:33 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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In Bengaluru, all working women aged between 18 and 52 in permanent, contractual, and outsourced jobs will now be eligible for one day of menstrual leave per month.

The move follows the state cabinet’s approval of the policy about a month ago. (Pixaby)

The order granting menstrual leave in Karnataka was issued on November 12, according to a report by Deccan Herald (DH).

“Employers have been directed to provide 12 paid leaves per year to all women employees aged 18-52 in establishments coming under Factories Act, 1948, Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, Plantation Workers Act, 1951, Beedi Cigar Workers (condition of employment) Act, 1966 and Motor Vehicle Workers Act, 1961,” the order read according to DH.

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The move follows the state cabinet’s approval of the policy about a month ago. The leave provision applies to women employed under the Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, which includes IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) firms.

The policy was drafted by an 18-member committee chaired by Dr Sapna S of Christ (Deemed-to-be University). The panel had earlier proposed six menstrual leaves annually. However, the Labour Department later revised the number to 12 before forwarding the final version to the government for approval.

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According to the government order (GO), women employees must utilise the menstrual leave within the same month and will not be allowed to carry it forward to the next.

The order also clarifies that employees do not need to produce a medical certificate while availing themselves of the leave.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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