Karnataka's KSRTC rolls out paid menstrual leave from January 2026
Starting January 2026, women working with Karnataka's state transport (KSRTC) can take one paid day off each month for menstrual leave.
This move, signed off by Managing Director Akram Pasha, covers KSRTC and lines up with the new Menstrual Leave Policy-2025.
Why this matters: A 1st-of-its-kind policy in India
Karnataka is leading the way with India's first official menstrual leave policy—giving women in both public and private sectors, including IT and garment industries, up to 12 paid days off a year.
The policy applies to permanent, contract, and outsourced workers aged 18-52.
While there was some legal pushback from industry groups, the High Court has issued an interim stay, putting the policy's implementation for industrial establishments on hold pending further legal proceedings—so this could set a trend for other states soon.