Women will be asked to sit at home: Supreme Court on mandatory menstrual leaves plea

New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 13, 2026 12:51 IST

The Supreme Court on Friday closed a case that asked for paid menstrual leave for women in all workplaces, saying that making such leave compulsory by law could end up harming women’s careers as they may be asked to sit at home, LiveLaw.in reported. The Court also said that while menstrual health concerns are important, forcing employers to give mandatory leave every month may discourage them from hiring women.

The judges asked the Centre to look at the petitioner’s request and consider whether a policy on menstrual leave could be created after consulting different stakeholders.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the case filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi.

Tripathi had asked the Court to direct the Union and state governments to create laws or policies recognising the health problems many women face during menstruation and to provide leave or other support.

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