Menstrual Health a Fundamental Right: Deep Dive Analysis for Competitive Exam

Supreme Court Declares Menstrual Health a Fundamental Right: Deep Dive Analysis for Competitive Exams

The Indian judicial landscape witnessed a landmark moment on 3 February 2026, as the Supreme Court of India officially declared Menstrual Health and Hygiene a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. For aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC examinations, this development is not just a headline—it is a critical topic that bridges Indian Polity, Social Justice, and Public Health. Understanding the nuances of this judgment is essential for answering dynamic daily current affairs questions and tackling high-level current affairs mcq sets. This deep-dive article explores the constitutional reasoning, key directives, and exam relevance of this historic verdict, helping you integrate this knowledge into your general knowledge (GK) preparation.

To see how this news fits into the broader context of today’s events, make sure to review our detailed Daily Current Affairs Pillar Post for 3 February 2026.

What Is the News? (In Brief)

On 3 February 2026, a Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) delivered a unanimous verdict declaring that the right to menstrual hygiene is intrinsic to a woman’s “Right to Life and Personal Dignity”. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that highlighted the high dropout rates among adolescent girls in rural India due to a lack of sanitary facilities and menstrual hygiene products.

The apex court observed that the inability to manage menstruation in a hygienic manner restricts a woman’s freedom of movement, education, and participation in public life. Consequently, the Court has issued a mandamus (judicial command) to the Central and State governments to implement a National Menstrual Hygiene Policy within six months.

Crucially, the judgment mandates the provision of free sanitary napkins to all female students in government and government-aided schools from Classes 6 to 12. The court emphasised that the state cannot ignore the biological needs of half its population, terming menstrual health a “biological determinant of the right to education.”

Background & Static GK Linkage

To master general knowledge for competitive exams, one must understand the static foundations of current news. This judgment does not exist in a vacuum; it builds upon decades of judicial activism and constitutional interpretation.

1. Constitutional Foundation: Article 21

• Text: Article 21 states, “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.”
• Evolution: Over the years, the Supreme Court has expanded the scope of “Life” beyond mere animal existence. In the famous Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (1978) case, the SC ruled that the “Right to Life” includes the “Right to Live with Human Dignity.”
• Linkage: By bringing menstrual health under Article 21, the SC has placed it on the same pedestal as the Right to Privacy (Puttaswamy Judgment), Right to Clean Environment, and Right to Health.

2. Right to Education (Article 21A)

• The judgment also draws a direct link to Article 21A (Right to Free and Compulsory Education). The court noted that lack of hygiene facilities leads to absenteeism and dropouts among girls. Thus, providing pads is not just a health measure but a prerequisite for fulfilling the fundamental right to education.

3. Existing Government Schemes (Static GK)

Aspirants should revise these schemes as they will likely be updated following this judgment:

• Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS): Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide subsidized sanitary napkins to rural adolescent girls.
• PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Under this, ‘Suvidha’ sanitary napkins are sold at ₹1 per pad.

Key Features / Provisions / Highlights

The Supreme Court’s directive is comprehensive. Below are the key provisions that are highly likely to appear in your current affairs mcq sections.

• Universal Access in Schools:
  • The Central and State governments must ensure the distribution of free sanitary napkins to every girl student in classes 6 to 12 in all government-aided and residential schools.
• Infrastructure Mandate:
  • Every school must have a separate, functional toilet for girls.
  • Toilets must be equipped with safe disposal mechanisms, such as electric or low-cost incinerators, to ensure environmental sustainability.
• Nodal Officers:
  • A “Nodal Officer” (preferably a female teacher) must be appointed in every school to oversee the stock of sanitary pads and ensure that students can access them without hesitation or stigma.
• National Policy Formulation:
  • The Centre has been given a four-week deadline to finalize a ‘National Model Policy’ on menstrual hygiene, which states must adopt with relevant local modifications.
• Social Audit:
  • The implementation of these measures will be subject to social audits by Parents-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to ensure transparency and accountability.

Why Is This Important for Competitive Exams?

This topic is a “goldmine” for examiners because it cuts across multiple syllabi sections.

1. For UPSC & State PSC (Mains & Essay)

• Social Justice: This is a classic example of judicial intervention in social welfare. It addresses Gender Justice, Rural Development, and Public Health.
• Polity: Questions can be framed on “Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Overreach” or the “Expanding Horizons of Article 21.”
• Essay Topics: “Health as a Fundamental Right,” “Women’s Safety and Dignity,” or “Education and Gender Parity.”

2. For Prelims (UPSC, SSC, Banking)

• Direct MCQs: Questions asking which Article covers menstrual health.
• Scheme Details: Questions on the ‘Suvidha’ brand, the Ministry involved (Ministry of Health vs. Ministry of Women & Child Development), or the specific clauses of the judgment.

3. For Interviews

• Candidates may be asked: “Do you think making sanitary pads free is fiscally sustainable for the state?” or “How does this judgment impact the Swachh Bharat Mission?”

Previous Year Questions / Trends

Analyzing past trends helps predict future quiz questions.

• UPSC Prelims 2017: A question was asked directly about the “Right to Privacy” being a part of Article 21. Prediction: A similar question is expected: “The Right to Menstrual Hygiene has been declared a fundamental right under which Article?”
• SSC CGL: Often asks about specific government schemes like “What is the price of Suvidha pads?”
• Banking Exams: Often focus on the budgetary allocation or the specific committee appointed to oversee such schemes.

Exam-Oriented MCQs

Test your understanding with these focused current affairs mcq sets.

1. The Supreme Court of India recently declared Menstrual Health a fundamental right under which Article of the Constitution?

A. Article 14

B. Article 19

C. Article 21

D. Article 25

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The SC ruled that menstrual hygiene is an integral part of the Right to Life and Personal Dignity guaranteed under Article 21.

2. Which ministry is primarily responsible for the implementation of the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) in India?

A. Ministry of Education

B. Ministry of Women and Child Development

C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

D. Ministry of Rural Development

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The MHS is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls.

3. The ‘Suvidha’ sanitary napkins, often cited in government initiatives, are sold under which scheme?

A. Ayushman Bharat

B. PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

C. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

D. Mission Indradhanush

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: ‘Suvidha’ pads are biodegradable sanitary napkins sold at a subsidized rate of ₹1 under the PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

4. According to the recent SC judgment, free sanitary napkins must be provided to girls in which classes in government schools?

A. Classes 1 to 5

B. Classes 6 to 12

C. Classes 9 to 12

D. All college students

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The judgment specifically targets adolescent girls, mandating free provisions for students in Classes 6 to 12.

5. The Supreme Court’s direction to install incinerators in schools for pad disposal addresses which parallel concern?

A. Child Labour

B. Environmental Sustainability

C. Water Conservation

D. Air Pollution

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Safe disposal via incinerators addresses the environmental hazard posed by the accumulation of non-biodegradable sanitary waste.

6. Which famous case first expanded Article 21 to include the “Right to Live with Human Dignity”?

A. Kesavananda Bharati Case

B. Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India

C. Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan

D. Shah Bano Case

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Maneka Gandhi case (1978) gave the widest possible interpretation to Article 21, including dignity as a core component of life.

One-Line Facts for Revision

• Verdict Date: 3 February 2026.
• Constitutional Basis: Article 21 (Right to Life & Dignity).
• Target Group: Girls in Classes 6–12 in government/aided schools.
• Key Mandate: Free sanitary pads + Separate toilets + Incinerators.
• Related Scheme: Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MoHFW).
• Subsidized Brand: ‘Suvidha’ (₹1/pad) under PMBJP.
• Impact: Aims to reduce female school dropout rates (Right to Education).

Linkage With Daily Current Affairs

This judgment was the top headline in our Daily Current Affairs for 3 February 2026. It reflects a growing trend of the judiciary focusing on social welfare rights. In the same Daily CA post, we discussed the Union Budget 2026, which has allocated funds for social sectors. It will be crucial to see if the upcoming supplementary grants include specific funding to meet this new SC mandate.

We highly recommend you read the full Pillar Post: 3 February 2026 Daily Current Affairs to see how this news interacts with other events like the Budget and International Women’s Health observations.

Download & Practice Section

To retain these legal nuances and factual details, it is vital to practice regularly. We have compiled a downloadable Current Affairs PDF that includes this deep-dive analysis along with 50+ other questions. You can also access our MCQ archive to solve more quiz questions related to Indian Polity and Supreme Court judgments.

• Download Current Affairs PDF
• Attempt Polity Quiz Questions

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s declaration of Menstrual Health as a fundamental right is a watershed moment for Indian society and a critical topic for exam aspirants. It redefines the general knowledge surrounding Article 21 and places a legal obligation on the state to prioritize women’s health. For aspirants, mastering this topic ensures you are prepared for questions on Polity, Schemes, and Social Issues across Prelims, Mains, and Interviews. Keep revising this topic using our daily current affairs resources to stay ahead of the curve.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is Menstrual Health now a fundamental right in India?

Yes, as per the Supreme Court judgment on 3 February 2026, Menstrual Health is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

2. Which daily current affairs topic is most important for Polity exams today?

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Menstrual Health and the Union Budget 2026 highlights are the most critical topics for Polity and Economy.

3. Where can I find current affairs mcq on this Supreme Court judgment?

You can find dedicated current affairs mcq sets on this topic in our “Exam-Oriented MCQs” section above or in our daily quiz archive.

4. Does the judgment apply to private schools?

The immediate mandate for free sanitary pads applies to government and government-aided schools, though private schools are expected to follow hygiene infrastructure norms.

5. How does this judgment affect General Knowledge (GK) for SSC exams?

It adds a key fact to general knowledge: Article 21 now explicitly covers menstrual hygiene, and it makes schemes like ‘Suvidha’ highly probable exam questions.

6. Can I download a current affairs pdf of this analysis?

Yes, a comprehensive current affairs pdf containing this analysis and related MCQs is available in the download section of this post.

7. Which classes of students will receive free sanitary pads?

The Supreme Court has mandated free sanitary napkins for girl students in Classes 6 to 12.

8. What is the role of the ‘Nodal Officer’ mentioned in the news?

A Nodal Officer (preferably a female teacher) will oversee the stock and distribution of pads in schools to ensure girls can access them without stigma.

9. Are there quiz questions available for this topic?

Yes, we have updated our daily quiz questions section to include specific questions on the Menstrual Health judgment and Article 21.

10. How does this relate to the Right to Education?

The Court ruled that lack of menstrual hygiene causes dropouts; thus, providing hygiene facilities is essential to fulfill the Right to Education (Article 21A).