The Supreme Court has pulled up states and Union Territories for not reporting on menstrual hygiene facilities in schools. A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan gave defaulting states and UTs a final opportunity of four weeks to file detailed compliance affidavits, according to a report published on 19 October 2026. The next hearing is on 14 December.
What the court had earlier directed
In its 30 January judgment, the court recognised menstrual hygiene as part of the right to life with dignity under Article 21 and directed governments to ensure:
- Free sanitary napkins in schools
- Functional toilets with running water
- Incinerators for safe disposal of sanitary waste
- Menstrual hygiene education in the school curriculum
- Awareness programmes and adequate sanitation infrastructure
What states must now report
Affidavits must cover the policies framed, funds sanctioned, sanitary pads distributed and toilets built. The court said only a handful of states had responded and warned that chief secretaries could be summoned if non-compliance continues.
Why it matters
Clean, private toilets and access to sanitary products directly affect girls' attendance, comfort and health at school.
Questions parents can ask a school
- Are there separate, clean girls' toilets with running water on every floor?
- Are sanitary pads available free or easily in school?
- Is there a safe disposal system?
- Does the school teach menstrual health to both girls and boys?
Facilities matter when choosing a school. Compare schools and their infrastructure on PickMySchool.
Sources: Free Press Kashmir (19 October 2026); Free Press Journal; LawBeat; Careerindia, 20 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Supreme Court order on menstrual hygiene in schools?
It gave defaulting states and UTs a final four weeks to file compliance affidavits on free sanitary pads, toilets and hygiene facilities. The next hearing is on 14 December.
What facilities did the court direct schools to have?
Free sanitary napkins, functional toilets with running water, incinerators for safe disposal, and menstrual hygiene education.
