Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Supreme Court Orders Menstrual Hygiene in Schools
The Supreme Court of India has ordered all states and union territories to provide better menstrual hygiene facilities in schools.
This includes having separate toilets for boys and girls, and providing free sanitary napkins.
The court said that not having these facilities can stop girls from going to school and can affect their future opportunities.
They also want schools to teach about menstrual health and related topics to break the stigma around it.
The court gave states three months to follow these rules and warned of strict actions if they don't.
The Telangana State United Teachers Federation (TSUTF) has welcomed this decision and urged the government to implement it quickly.
They say that many schools still lack basic facilities, and this ruling could help more girls stay in school.
The Supreme Court directed all States and Union Territories to implement Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) measures in schools, including gender-segregated toilets and free sanitary napkins.
The court warned of stringent consequences for non-compliance, including the de-recognition of private schools and holding state governments accountable for failures in public institutions.
The absence of MHM measures can lead to recurrent absenteeism and a gap in learning for girl children, impairing their access to opportunities.
All school toilets must be designed for privacy and accessibility, including for children with disabilities, and equipped with functional hand-washing facilities.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) were directed to incorporate gender-responsive curricula on menstruation and related health concerns.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Telangana State United Teachers Federation (TSUTF)
- What
- Directed States and Union Territories to implement Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) measures in schools
- When
- January 31, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To ensure the right to menstrual health as part of the right to life and education under Articles 21 and 21(A) of the Constitution
- Article 21
- Right to life under the Constitution of India
- Article 21(A)
- Right to education under the Constitution of India
- Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)
- Measures including gender-segregated toilets and free sanitary napkins
- Right to Education Act
- Guarantees free elementary education for children aged 6-14
- National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
- To incorporate gender-responsive curricula on menstruation and related health concerns
- District Education Officers (DEO)
- To conduct periodic inspections of school infrastructure
- Telangana State United Teachers Federation (TSUTF)
- Advocates for menstrual health measures in schools
