National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal and Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Aurangabad recently introduced a menstrual leave policy for their respective students.

The policy introduced at NLIU Bhopal extends also to gender non-conforming students who menstruate.

Students can avail the leave for a maximum of 6 classes per subject per semester and need to have a minimum of 65% attendance in each subject individually, including the days taken on account of menstrual pain or discomfort.

There is a cap on leave for two classes per subject per month within five days. However, for students with an irregular menstruation syndrome or menstrual disorder like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), leaves can be claimed in any manner keeping in mind the maximum cap.

"The student may claim deemed attendance for a maximum of 6 classes per subject during a single semester. This provision applies uniformly to all courses within a semester. The student can only claim deemed attendance for a maximum of 2 classes per subject in a month. The 2 classes must be held within a span of 5 days from each other. Provided that a student who has an irregular menstruation syndrome or any menstrual disorder including Polycystic ovary Syndrome (PCOS) shall be eligible to claim the deemed attendance for a maximum of 6 classes per subject during a single semester in any manner they want without the cap of 2 classes per subject in a month," the policy states.

Students availing benefits are required to fill out an application form to process the menstrual leaves. For students with irregular menstruation syndrome, a medical certificate is required which needs to be approved by the University Doctor.

At MNLU Aurangabad, the Executive Council has approved (in-principle) the menstrual leave policy as proposed by the Student Bar Council of the University. While the policy is yet to be notified, it permits beneficiaries to avail one menstrual leave per month without the need of a medical certificate. The students are required to fulfil the minimum attendance criterion of 67%.

President of the Student Bar Association at MNLU Aurangabad Vishwajeet Nimbalkar said,

"The menstrual leave policy is a student-led initiative aimed at achieving the objective of gender justice in the University. We put forth the demand for the menstrual leave policy in August 2023 and got the approval in-principle last week. The draft has been approved by the Executive Council in-principle without any changes, and is only pending to be notified."

In the recent past, DNLU Jabalpur, NALSAR Hyderabad and NLUJA Assam have also introduced menstrual leave policies for their students.

[Read NLIU Bhopal's policy here]