Supreme Court mandates provision of free sanitary pads for girls in Class 6 to 12

The Supreme Court has issued a directive for all schools and educational institutions to provide free sanitary pads to girls in classes 6 to 12. The court has also requested that plans be made for the safe and hygienic disposal of these pads. The order was made in response to a PIL filed by Jaya Thakur, with Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha and Justice JB Pardi Vala presiding over the case. Aishwarya Bhati, representing the central government, stated that healthcare is a state matter, but there are central schemes in place since 2011. The court has also asked for details on the money spent by the governments on schemes for menstrual hygiene and convenience for girl students. The Chief Justice has requested that state governments report on their plans and whether they are utilizing funds from the National Health Scheme or their own revenue. The court has called for an account of the money spent in the past decade on the health and convenience of girl students during menstruation.