Female civil servants in India have expressed shock at new appraisal rules which require them to reveal details of their menstrual cycles.

The new nationwide rules also require them to say when they last had maternity leave. The women say these questions are a "gross invasion of privacy."

Annual appraisals and health checks are mandatory in India's civil service.

Female officers must write down their "detailed menstrual history and history ofLMP (last menstrual period), including date of last confinement (maternity leave)," the form says.

However, the women contend that the Government has no need for this kind of personal information.

Maharashtra's joint secretary for general administration, Seema Vyas, agreed that the new questions were uncalled for.

Natural pnenomenon

"Menstrual cycles are a natural phenomenon, they are not an aberration. One does not object to questions related to fitness levels - they are important as they can affect work. But there is no need for these details as this does not have any bearing on our work," she said.

"When we apply for maternity leave, we put in the appropriate application and the government already has those records so why ask again?"

Information from: http:// news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6547909.stm