New Delhi: Free sanitary napkin distribution in Delhi govt schools has allegedly stopped again, leaving girl students without supplies since Sept, states a representation sent to the education department.Under Kishori Yojana, girls studying in classes VI to XII in govt and govt-aided schools in the city are entitled to one packet containing 10 sanitary pads every month for free. Planning department documents record that the scheme was launched in Nov 2011 to support menstrual hygiene among schoolgirls.The department’s scheme description also sets out a decentralised procurement arrangement. Heads of govt schools are empowered to buy sanitary napkins through the govt e-marketplace (GeM) and distribute them. For govt-aided schools, procurement and distribution are assigned to the district deputy directors of education.Delhi High Court, on July 6, 2022, directed uninterrupted supplies while disposing of a petition by civil rights group Social Jurist. During hearings, govt said school heads and education officials had been empowered and provided funds to procure pads through GeM as an interim arrangement while a tender was being finalised.This is not the first subsequent complaint of disruption. In Dec 2025, TOI reported allegations that supplies had stopped for three months. Directorate of Education (DoE) issued an order on Dec 24 asking school heads to continue procuring and distributing sanitary napkins.The fresh allegation also comes after Supreme Court’s Jan 30, 2026, judgement directing states and Union territories to ensure free sanitary napkins in govt and privately managed schools. It required supplies to be readily accessible through vending machines or designated distribution arrangements within schools.Advocate Ashok Aggarwal, associated with Social Jurist, has written to the education secretary seeking urgent intervention over the alleged two-month disruption. “A two-month gap in supply has severely disrupted the routine hygiene of these young students, causing grave consequences,” Aggarwal wrote. He alleged that the interruption violated the high court’s directions.The representation has sought swift action to safeguard students’ health and education. His complaint does not identify the schools affected or explain the reason for the alleged stoppage. Its extent, procurement status and DoE’s current response remain to be established. There was no immediate response from the education department.The representation urges the department to treat the matter as a priority, describing the alleged disruption as a severe lapse. It stresses that students, particularly those in upper primary and secondary classes, should have regular, uninterrupted monthly access to sanitary pads under welfare schemes and court directives.
