The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provided details on its Menstrual Hygiene Scheme implementation in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on August 11, 2026. Under the National Health Mission, States and Union Territories receive support for Menstrual Hygiene Schemes based on their proposals in Annual Programme Implementation Plans as per regulatory norms.
The Menstrual Hygiene Scheme focuses on promotion of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls through awareness generation, access to quality and affordable sanitary napkins, safe and environment-friendly disposal methods, and counselling on safe menstrual practices. The Ministry undertakes sustained Information, Education and Communication activities through health facilities, community platforms, frontline health workers, digital dissemination mechanisms, and adolescent-focused programme platforms.
Monitoring under NHM is conducted through a multi-layered framework that includes review of State-wise Key Deliverables against approved targets during NPCC meetings with all States and UTs. Additionally, annual Common Review Missions provide independent, on-ground assessments of programme implementation, health system strengthening, and progress on key indicators.
The Ministry implements an inter-ministerial Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-going Girls in collaboration with concerned line Ministries, promoting coordinated action by States and UTs to ensure access to safe, effective and affordable menstrual hygiene measures in schools through their respective departments. The response was provided by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Smt. Anupriya Patel.