Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Karnataka Expands Menstrual Leave to Students
The Karnataka government is planning to give students up to two days of menstrual leave every month, along with a 2% relaxation in attendance.
This is part of a new bill called the Karnataka Working Women Wellbeing Bill, 2025.
The government had already given one day of paid menstrual leave to women employees.
Some businesses are challenging this rule in court, saying the government didn't ask them before making this rule.
The court has decided to hear this case in January 2026.
If schools and colleges don't follow the new rule, they might have to pay a fine of ₹5,000.
Karnataka proposes to extend menstrual leave to students with up to two days per month and 2% attendance relaxation.
The Karnataka Working Women Wellbeing Bill, 2025, is expected to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of the Karnataka Assembly.
Karnataka High Court adjourned the hearing on the legality of the menstrual leave directive to January 20, 2026.
Petitions challenging the menstrual leave directive were filed by the Bangalore Hotels’ Association and Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems.
The court initially stayed the government’s directive but later recalled the order after the Advocate General's request.
- Who
- Karnataka Government, Karnataka High Court, Bangalore Hotels Association, Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems Limited
- What
- Proposal to extend menstrual leave to students and hearing on menstrual leave case
- When
- January 20, 2026 (hearing), Ongoing winter session (bill introduction)
- Where
- Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru, Karnataka Assembly
- Why
- To extend menstrual leave benefits to students and resolve legal challenges to the existing policy
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Hearing Date
- January 20, 2026
- Government Notification Date
- November 20
- Leave Policy for Employees
- One-day paid menstrual leave
- Leave Policy for Students
- Up to two days of menstrual leave
- Penalty for Non-Compliance
- ₹5,000
- Petitioners
- Bangalore Hotels Association and Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems Limited
- Advocate General
- Shashi Kiran Shetty
- Justice
- Jyoti M
Sources
Karnataka HC terms menstrual leave case a matter of 'public importance'; hearing set for Jan 2026
Karnataka Mulls Law To Cover Students, Transgender Persons Under Menstrual Leave
Karnataka proposes menstrual leave for students under new wellbeing bill - Telegraph India
Karnataka set to introduce Bill allowing menstrual leave: Who it applies to, what it proposes
