In a letter dated January 31, 2026, the IMA—representing over 4 lakh doctors nationwide—welcomed the apex court's ruling in the case of Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Government of India* (Writ Petition (C) No. 1000 of 2022), describing it as a "progressive and monumental step" toward gender justice, women's dignity, educational equity, and the elimination of period poverty and stigma that forces many adolescent girls to miss school or drop out entirely.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, emphatically observed that "a period should end a sentence – not a girl's education." The judgment held that the unavailability of safe menstrual absorbents, functional gender-segregated toilets, running water, soap, and proper disposal mechanisms violates girls' dignity, privacy, health, and equality. It emphasized that menstruation is a natural biological process, not a taboo, and that the state has a positive obligation to remove gender-specific barriers to education and well-being.
### Key Mandatory Directions Issued by the Supreme Court
The court issued comprehensive, binding directions to the Union Government, all states, and Union Territories for pan-India enforcement, applicable to every school—government, government-aided, private, urban, and rural—covering girl students primarily in Classes 6 to 12:
Free provision of high-quality sanitary napkins — Specifically oxo-biodegradable (or biodegradable meeting high safety standards such as ASTM D-6954) sanitary pads, supplied free of cost. These should preferably be accessible via vending machines inside or near toilet premises, or through a designated school authority to ensure privacy and convenience.
Functional, gender-segregated toilets with continuous running water, hand-washing facilities (including soap), and disability-friendly infrastructure to accommodate all students.
Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) corners in schools, stocked with emergency essentials such as spare uniforms, innerwear, and sanitary products to handle staining incidents without humiliation.
Integration of comprehensive menstrual health education into school curricula to destigmatize menstruation, raise awareness among both boys and girls, and promote it as a shared societal responsibility rather than a "women's issue" alone.
Safe disposal mechanisms for menstrual waste to prevent environmental and health hazards.
Strict compliance timeline — The court directed implementation within a reasonable period (with emphasis on prompt action), retaining continuing mandamus jurisdiction to monitor progress. It warned of severe consequences for non-compliance, including potential de-recognition of private schools and direct accountability for state governments and authorities.
### IMA's Appeal to the Prime Minister
In its letter, the IMA stressed that while the judgment sets a powerful constitutional precedent, its transformative potential depends on robust executive action, inter-governmental coordination, adequate budgetary allocation, supply-chain mechanisms for biodegradable products, teacher training, and regular monitoring.
The association respectfully requested the Prime Minister to:
Intervene personally to ensure uniform, immediate rollout across all states and UTs.
Issue clear, binding guidelines and directions to chief ministers and administrators.
Establish a centralized monitoring framework with time-bound milestones.
Support awareness campaigns and school health programs to complement the ruling.
The IMA reiterated its own commitment to partnering with governments, schools, and communities in promoting menstrual health awareness, distributing pads where needed, and strengthening adolescent health initiatives through its vast network of branches.
### Broader Context and Expert Reactions
Menstrual hygiene challenges remain acute in India, where cultural taboos, inadequate infrastructure, and economic barriers contribute to high absenteeism (estimated 20-30% of school days missed during periods for many girls) and dropout rates. Public health experts, women's rights advocates, and educationists have hailed the verdict as a landmark advancement in substantive equality, reproductive health rights, and girls' empowerment.
The IMA's proactive appeal on January 31, 2026—just one day after the judgment—underscores the urgency felt within the medical and public health community to translate judicial intent into tangible on-ground change, ensuring no girl is denied her education or dignity due to her biology. The coming weeks will test the government's resolve to deliver on this constitutional promise.
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