Menstrual Leave For Karnataka Girl Students Soon? New Bill With Rs 5,000 Penalty In The Works

Last Updated:December 10, 2025, 13:30 IST

The bill states that those who experience serious symptoms can avail this leave, while also making it clear that no doctor’s certificate will be required to avail it.

The provision for students marks a significant change of scope from the earlier Nov 12 order, which applied only to women aged 18–52 in private establishments. (AI generated image)

Yet another controversial bill is on the cards in Karnataka – called the Karnataka Working Women Wellbeing Bill, 2025. The Bill proposes to provide “Menstrual leave for students" where up to two days of leave per month to menstruating students in schools, colleges and universities, along with a 2 per cent relaxation in attendance must be given. Failure to provide this leave could attract a penalty of Rs 5000, says the Bill.

Just as the issue of menstrual leave remains before the courts — with the Karnataka High Court continuing to hear petitions after first staying the government’s November 12 order and then withdrawing that stay — the state government’s law and parliamentary affairs department is now proposing another Bill that extends menstrual leave to students.

Two months ago, the Karnataka cabinet approved the menstrual leave policy granting one day of leave per month to all working women. This draft bill is expected to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of the Karnataka legislature.

This new draft legislation builds on the previous Government order for paid menstrual leave for working women, which could be extended to girls, women, transgender persons and gender queer persons — working in government and private establishments.

The provision for students marks a significant change of scope from the earlier Nov 12 order, which applied only to women aged 18–52 in private establishments.

The bill states that those who experience serious symptoms can avail this leave, while also making it clear that no doctor’s certificate will be required to avail it.

The Bill also brings in a penal clause. If an employer or institution denies menstrual leave or discriminates against a girl or woman for availing it, the proposed law allows for a penalty of up to Rs 5,000.

Leave Rules: 12 Days a Year, No Carry-Forward, No Doctor’s Note

The Bill caps menstrual leaves at 12 days per calendar year and clearly outlines when the leave can and cannot be availed.

It states that a menstruating person will be entitled to only one day of leave if her period falls on a Sunday or any other general holiday, and that menstrual leave cannot be taken if it overlaps with any other form of leave.

It allows her to work from home “via videoconferencing" if she does not wish to take the leave and if the establishment permits it.

The Bill caps the facility at twelve days of menstrual leave in a calendar year and says the eligibility ends either on attaining menopause or on reaching 52 years of age, whichever comes first. It also makes it clear that unused leave cannot be carried forward to subsequent months.

“No medical certificate is required," says the proposed bill as demanding a doctor’s note would create “delay, inconvenience and complication".

A simple written request or email will suffice. The draft also warns against publicising a person’s leave by higher officials.

The Bill makes it clear that menstrual leave is meant to be availed only when the person faces “serious problems" such as cramps, back pain, nausea, fatigue or heavy bleeding — symptoms explicitly listed.

Work-from-Home Option

The legislation also provides flexibility for menstruating employees who prefer not to take leave. They may opt to work from home “via videoconferencing" if their institution permits, a clause aimed at giving employees autonomy over how they manage their symptoms.

Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority to Be Established

To enforce and monitor the provisions, the Bill proposes the creation of a Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority. The chairperson of the Karnataka Commission for Women will serve as its ex-officio head, supported by four government representatives and two nominated women activists.

The authority must meet once every three months and is tasked with redressing grievances, conducting inquiries guided by principles of natural justice, and issuing final orders. Labour officers will carry out spot inspections and submit regular reports.

Penal Provisions: Up to Rs 5,000 Fine for Discrimination

This is the part that could lead to legal scrutiny, say government sources.

Section 9 of the draft introduces a penalty for anyone who denies menstrual leave, ill-treats or discriminates against a menstruating person for availing it, . The fine may extend up to Rs 5,000.

The punitive clause applies to employers in both government and private sectors, including educational institutions.

“Whoever intentionally denies the menstrual leave… or treats the menstruating person as an untouchable shall be liable to pay the penal amount as imposed by the Authority." The Bill gives the Authority the power to impose the fine directly.

A top government source working closely with this bill said that the Labour department, that introduced the previous “Paid Menstrual leave" bill has raised objections to this move by the law department. This could further lead to an interdepartmental tussle, it was indicated.

Why the Bill Is Being Introduced

The draft Bill says it is “expedient" to provide menstrual benefits to help persons cope with symptoms like cramps, back pain, fatigue, nausea and heavy bleeding, especially those engaged in educational institutions, private establishments and government services.

By explicitly including students and transgender and gender queer persons — groups not covered under the earlier government orders — the legislation, a law department source explains, brings in a significant expansion of menstrual health rights in the state. The government had earlier issued two orders after approving the menstrual leave policy on October 9 — the November 12 order for the private sector and a December 2 order extending benefits to women working in government organisations.

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