Karnataka, a state in southern India, announced a new policy a few weeks ago that would see working women aged 18-52 offered paid menstrual leave.
The leave is being offered to all working women in the age range in formal jobs, whether that be in local government or private companies.
Every month, the women would be entitled to one paid day of menstrual leave without any medical certification to access the day.
Karnataka law minister HK Patil told reporters after the cabinet meeting, “It will be helpful to women. The policy has been successful in other states, and we have decided to adopt it."
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah wrote on X: “Through the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, women employees across Karnataka will now receive one paid leave day every month – a step towards a more humane, understanding, and inclusive workplace.”
The social impact of menstrual leave on women
Between 350,000 and 400,000 women are expected to benefit from the paid time off, though critics have noted it excludes an estimated six million informal workers. Domestic workers and gig employees will not be entitled to the leave.
The Indian state joins a number of locations offering paid leave, including countries like Spain, South Korea, Indonesia, and Japan.
Indian states Bihar and Odisha offer female government employees two days of menstrual leave per month, while Kerala extends that to university and industrial training institute staff.
While many have celebrated the move as a necessary accommodation for women who suffer severe menstrual pain, some policy experts also worry that it could add fire to gender biases in employment practices.
"This is one of the most progressive policy decisions for women that the government is implementing,'' Santosh Lad, Karnataka's labour minister, told the BBC.