The Kerala government announced menstrual leave for female students studying in all state universities under the Department of Higher Education. Higher Education Minister R Bindu made the announcement following the passing of a similar provision granting menstrual leaves by the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).
In order to take the exams each semester, students typically need to have at least 75% attendance. The Kerala government has recently increased the attendance concession for female students by 2%. In this approach, female students can show up for exams with a minimum attendance rate of 73%. The students have now demanded that internal marks, which are used to determine attendance, be given consideration for menstruation leaves.
According to a Times of India report, Rasheed Ahmed P, a syndicate member at Calicut University, claims that when internal marks are totaled, students receive two marks for participation in class. This is offered to students who have between 75 and 85% attendance. The demand now is to apply the 73% attendance criteria for internal marks also. There has also been a demand from transgender students for the application of a reduction in attendance percentage.
CUSAT had decided to grant menstrual leaves after the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) students’ union made a representation in this issue. CUSAT’s order is applicable to female students of all streams, including those pursuing a Ph.D., in the university.