Supreme Court Declares Menstrual Health a Fundamental Right, Orders Free Sanitary Pads in All Schools
In a landmark and widely welcomed judgment, the Supreme Court on Friday recognized menstrual health as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, making it an integral part of the right to life and dignity.
The Court directed that all schools across the country — both government and private — must provide free sanitary pads to girl students from Classes 6 to 12.
It also ordered states and Union Territories to effectively implement the Central Government’s national policy on menstrual hygiene for school-going girls.
The bench emphasized that adolescent girls in both urban and rural areas should receive free biodegradable sanitary napkins and that schools must ensure well-equipped, hygienic toilets for students.
The ruling came in response to a public interest petition filed in 2022, which highlighted the urgent need for access to menstrual hygiene products and proper sanitation facilities in schools.
The judges observed that this decision goes beyond legal reform —
It is meant for classrooms where girls hesitate to seek help, and for teachers who wish to support them but lack adequate resources.
The Court clarified that existing state-level initiatives should continue and function alongside the national policy as mandatory minimum standards.
All governments have been given three months to fully comply with the directives.
The historic order has received overwhelming public support, being hailed as a major step toward gender equality, health awareness, and dignity for millions of schoolgirls across India.
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