The Karnataka Education Department has issued a fresh circular directing the implementation of menstrual leave for women government employees, reinforcing the state’s broader policy on workplace well-being. The circular was released on Thursday, 29 January, and signed by the Commissioner of the School Education Department.
This directive aligns with a government order issued in November 2025, which introduced 12 days of paid menstrual leave per year for women across both government and private establishments in the state.
The policy allows one paid day off each month and applies to women employees between the ages of 18 and 52. It covers workplaces governed by various labour laws, making Karnataka one of the few states with a comprehensive menstrual leave framework.
The Education Department’s order clarifies that the leave is intended to support women employees’ health, morale and work efficiency. Employees may avail one day of paid leave during their menstrual cycle each month, adding up to 12 days annually. Unused leave cannot be carried forward to the next month, and no medical certificate is required to apply for it.
Eligibility is limited to menstruating women employees within the prescribed age bracket. The authority responsible for approving casual leave will also be empowered to approve menstrual leave. The leave must be recorded separately in attendance and leave registers and cannot be clubbed with any other form of leave.
The circular also outlines procedural responsibilities. Employees applying for menstrual leave are required to inform their respective section officers about any urgent official or court-related matters to ensure continuity of work. Applications must be submitted to the competent authority as per existing processes.
The Education Department has directed that the policy be implemented with immediate effect from the date of the government order, making menstrual leave formally operational for eligible women employees working in departmental offices across Karnataka.
