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How Aditi Gupta Founder of Menstrupedia Changed Education

December 8, 2025December 8, 2025startupstoryhubComment(0)

In a nation where no one dared speak about menstruation, let alone challenge the taboo, a single woman set out to redefine how young girls learn about their bodies. Founder of Menstrupedia, Aditi Gupta is a global social entrepreneur, illustrator, researcher, and leader in menstrual education. Her transformation from enduring menstrual stigma in her childhood, which impelled her to create India’s premier comic-book-based menstruation education platform, has become one of the most inspiring examples of individual struggle leading to social change. An In-Depth Story on the Life, Vision and Challenges Faced by Menstrupedia Founder Aditi Gupta Who Empowered Millions in India and Beyond

Table of Contents

Early Life and Background

Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, hails from Garhwa, Jharkhand, where she grew up in a traditional middle-class family where periods were considered dirty. Coming from a culture that seldom broached the subject of menstrual health, this was the first time that Aditi was subject to restrictions of not entering temples, of not touching food in the kitchen or even of sitting separately during her periods. And like most Indian girls, she thought, menstruation was shameful and dirty. Her young mind, having felt the jarring experience of being treated differently, sparked into life by a need to understand why something so natural was such a taboo.

The founder of Menstrupedia, Aditi Gupta, understood that the silence on periods is not only due to culture but also a reason for awful consequences illiteracy, poor hygiene leading to infections, school dropouts, emotional trauma, and gender inequality, as she grew older. These early experiences laid the groundwork for the revolutionary work she would spend her life building.

Educational Journey

For Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, pedagogy turned out to be her weapon of choice. Eager to learn more, she took up engineering to hone her skills before eventually pursuing higher studies, which took her to NID in Ahmedabad for postgraduate studies in New Media Design. NID proved to be an absolute breeding ground for Aditi to polish her ideas into research projects that dealt with designing accessible tools for menstrual education.

Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, during her academic research found that close to 70% of girls in India did not have the faintest idea of what menstruation stood for before their first period and where more if not equal number of girls considered menstruation as a disease because nobody explained their body to them. She also discovered that millions of girls miss school when they have their periods and that many use dangerous substitutes like ash, cloth, or sand because they cannot obtain sanitary products or do not know about them.

Our research made her even more determined to create something that could teach girls to build, clearly, in a way that was friendly and adapted to a cultural context.

Also Read: Naveen Tewarihttps://startupstoryhub.com/founders/naveen-tewari/

The Birth of Menstrupedia

For Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, her eureka moment came when she got partnered up with her (now husband) partner, Tuhin Paul. They jointly developed visual learning tools and comics-style content, so children will not feel ashamed when they teacher about period. Menstrupedia was founded back in 2012 with its website explaining what menstruation is in friendly terms verified by science.

Menstrupedia quickly began gaining recognition nationwide. The comic book format became the heart of the brand and achieved widespread success because it was accessible, relatable, and easy to introduce in schools and communities. The Menstrupedia comic became one of the first non-threatening educational tools that teachers and parents felt comfortable using. It featured relatable characters, scientifically accurate storytelling, and illustrations representing real situations.

Today, Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, has ensured that Menstrupedia comics are used in thousands of schools, institutions, and NGOs across India. The comics are translated into multiple languages and adopted by countries like Nepal, Uruguay, the Philippines, and Mexico.

Vision and Mission

Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, is very clear about her mission: normalise menstruation, bust taboos, and empower the girl-child with education. Menstruation is the root of gender equality and dignity in every woman, and she is right about this. Menstrupedia hopes to change cultural narratives and eliminate period shaming by bringing the conversations to schools and homes.

An ambitious dream, but her vision goes beyond comic books. From Workshops Training Programs, Menstrupedia is also working to indirectly make menstrual literacy compulsory for all, including Digital Platform and Health Organisations , and Government bodies, and founder Aditi Gupta is still pursuing for it. We strive for a world where every girl can face menstruation with confidence, rather than isolation.

Impact & Achievements

Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedi, has impacted millions of young girls, women, teachers and parents. Menstrupedia comics are used in 6000+ schools, as well as partnered with organisations like Whisper, Rotary Club, programs supported by UNESCO, and countless smaller grassroots NGOs as well.

Some major achievements include:

Internationally recognised as a leading menstrual educator
Appear in Forbes India 30 Under 30
TEDx speaker inspiring global audiences
Partnerships with government education programs
Various translations of Menstrupedia comics
For teaching girls, in addition to boys, in schools
Partnerships with celebrities and influencers around period awareness

And its due to the pioneering work by Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, that made thousands of girls to not feel ashamed of their periods. That ensures them health information that is right, cuts down on anxiety and uncertainty, and fosters peer relationships that offer mutual support.

Challenges on the Journey

Menstrupedia was founded by Aditi Gupta and trust me, her journey was not a bed of roses. In those deeply conservative days, it was regarded as worse than unspeakable to talk about menstruation. She was up against a disapproving society, schools who were hesitant to adopt her methods, and no money. The rejection was on the grounds of her exploring something that people felt was private or not suitable to be spoken about in public and many openly wondered why.

But Aditi Gupta founder of Menstrupedia using her the power of never giving up and believing in her cause turned the hurdles into his stepping stones. Gradually, the tide started to turn and the focus on menstruation began to rise to mainstream attention (as part of global menstrual awareness movements). She proved that change starts with courage, and that substantial progress demands persistence.

Menstrupedia Today

Today, Menstrupedia is a strong educational ecosystem which consists of:

Comic books and digital comics
Educator training programs
Period workshops for youth
Menstrupedia YouTube educational content
Period awareness campaigns
School and NGO Teaching Kits

With the continuous guidance of Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, the platform is gaining reach in the rural areas, urban schools and across borders to ensure no girl remains on the other side of the wall, due to ignorance or cultural barriers.

Legacy and Future Vision

Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, envisions a future whereby menstruation can be a global, normal, open conversation, and more resources for boys and parents can be created to help promote global breaking of the stigma. She still fights for menstrual equality, sustainable period products, and reforms to health education on a policy level.

She will be remembered as one of the most revolutionary figures for women in health and education. By using creativity and courage to promote social changes, Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, is not just changing the narratives that surround menstruation but also inspiring young changemakers to take charge of social problems.

Conclusion

One inspiring example of this is the story of Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia. From an idea to solve a problem, it turned into a movement that is changing the way we think and learn about periods all around the world. In this manner, she has sparked millions of girls, broken centuries-old taboos and transformed menstruation into a subject that can be respected and discussed quite unabashedly through Menstrupedia.

Despite this world full of information about Period blood and menstruation, there are still millions who are not able to talk about it openly, but the work of Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, is bringing awareness, hope, and dignity around the world. Aditi Gupta is the founder of Menstrupedia, which is an animated guidebook about periods.

Q1. Who is Aditi Gupta?

Menstrupedia is the brainchild of an Indian social entrepreneur, author, and researcher.

Q2. What is Menstrupedia?

Menstrupedia is an educational platform that creates comic books, conducts workshops, and provides training programs to promote menstrual awareness among students, schools, and communities, along with a plethora of online resources.

Q3. When was Menstrupedia founded?

Aditi Gupta and her husband, Tuhin Paul, are founders of Menstrupedia

Q4. What inspired Aditi Gupta to make Menstrupedia?

Menstrupedia is the product created by Aditi Gupta after going through the shame, silence, and restrictions on menstruation during her childhood.

Q5. What awards has Aditi Gupta won?

Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, who made it to the Forbes India 30 Under 30 list and is recognised by Global women empowerment and education platforms.

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Startup India

The entrepreneurial scenario in India has changed over the last decade. The Indian government is supporting innovation through its Startup India initiative, creating employment opportunities and accelerating economic growth. In this blog, let's discuss Startup India, including its objectives, benefits, and eligibility criteria; also, know how to get a startup registered under this initiative.

What is Startups ?

A startup is the early stage of a company that is formed to develop a unique product or service, introduce it into the market, and scale it to make substantial revenues. Startups are an important part of innovation, job creation, and diversification in the economy. In India, startups play a critical role in driving technology adoption and solving complex challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.

Characteristics of a Startup

Innovation: Key concentration in developing new products, services, or processes.
Scalability: Ability to grow rapidly with low incremental costs.
Disruption: Challenge traditional business models or industries.

Importance of Startups in India

Job Creation: Startups are significant employment generators.
Economic Growth: Contribute to GDP by introducing new industries.
Technological Advancement: Drive innovation and technology adoption.

What is the Startup India Initiative?

Startup India is one of the flagship initiatives of the Government of India, launched on January 16, 2016. It aims to build a robust ecosystem that nurtures innovation and startups across the country. The idea is to give an impetus to economic growth and employment generation in a substantial way. Startup India seeks to encourage entrepreneurship by giving a boost to innovation and design, thus leading to the growth and success of the startup ecosystem.

Standup India Scheme Standup India scheme was announced on April 5, 2016, to finance new enterprises, to boost the entrepreneurship culture in India. The program ensures the availability of loans through the Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to at least one member of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST), and at least one woman, per bank branch. The support in this new scheme is granted to businesses in the trading, services, or manufacturing sectors. This will supposedly help about 250,000 borrowers.

Key Objectives of Startup India

Making Business Easier: Simple rules, compliance, and legal steps.

Financial Help: Provide access to government funds and venture capital.

Building Skills: Offer training and mentorship programs.

Encouraging Innovation: Support research and development with grants.

Features of Startup India

Startup India Hub: This is a place where startups can connect with investors and mentors.

Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS): This is a ₹10,000 crore fund managed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Tax Benefits: Eligible startups can get exemptions from income tax and capital gains tax.

Startup Recognition: Startups can receive official recognition from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The Startup India scheme eligibility criteria

If you want to get funding through the Start-up India scheme, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Knowing these requirements well will help you successfully go through the application process.

Business Experience: Start-ups applying for this scheme must have been operating for more than five years.
Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Company Structure: To get funds under this scheme, the company must be either a partnership or a private limited company.
Turnover Limit: The company should have an annual turnover of no more than Rs. 25 crore.
No Reconstruction: Start-ups that have emerged from the splitting or restructuring of an existing business are not eligible for this scheme. Companies that have divided an organization into two or more parts will be disqualified.

If a company is developing a new product or service, it can benefit from the Start-up India policy.

Here are the requirements:

The start-up must create, utilize, or sell a product or service that is based on new technology or intellectual property.
The focus should be on enhancing an existing product or developing a new one that adds value for customers or improves workflow.
The start-up must not engage in projects that are not unique or do not provide value to customers or enhance workflow.

To get a Startup India loan, start-ups must secure various approvals and submit specific documents:

Obtain approval from the Inter-Ministerial Board under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
Acquire a recommendation from an incubator affiliated with a recognized post-graduate college.
Secure a recommendation from a government-recognized incubator.
File a patent for your product or service and have it published in the Indian Patent Office Journals.
If your services involve funding and equity, register with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Provide a funding letter from any state or central government scheme that supports innovation.

How to Register Under Startup Under Startup India Scheme?

Step 1: Start Your Business

The first step in starting your business is to choose a legal structure, such as a Private Limited Company, Partnership, or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). You will need to complete the standard registration process, which involves submitting an application and obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation or Partnership registration.

Step 2: Register with Startup India

Once you have created your business, the next step is to register it as a startup. This process is straightforward and can be completed online. First, visit the Startup India website and click the 'Register' button. Enter your name, email address, and mobile number, then create a password and click 'Register.' You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) in your email. Enter this OTP and provide additional information, such as your user type, business name, and the stage of your startup. Finally, click 'Submit' to create your Startup India profile. Completing this registration will help your business be recognized as a startup under the Startup India scheme, granting you access to various benefits and support.

Step 3: Obtain DPIIT Recognition

After creating your profile on the Startup India website, the next step is obtaining recognition from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This recognition provides benefits such as quality intellectual property services, relaxed public procurement rules, self-certification for labour and environmental laws, simplified winding-up procedures, access to the Fund of Funds, and tax exemptions for three years.

Step 4: Submit the Documents for Registration

To complete the registration process and obtain DPIIT recognition for your startup, please submit the following documents:
1. The incorporation or registration certificate of your startup.
2. Proof of funding, if applicable.
3. An authorization letter from the company's authorized representative
4. Evidence of your concept, such as a website link, pitch deck, or video (this applies to startups at the validation, early traction, or scaling stage).
5. Information regarding any patents and trademarks you hold.
6. A list of any awards or certificates of recognition you have received.
7. Your Permanent Account Number (PAN).

Step 5: Self-Certification of Eligibility Conditions

You need to confirm that your business meets the following conditions:
1. Your business must be a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or partnership firm.
2. Your business has been registered in India for no more than five years.
3. Your company's turnover does not exceed ₹100 crore.
4. Your company is consistently innovating or improving existing systems.
5. Your business is based on an original idea, rather than a split or reorganization of an existing business.

Step 6: Obtain Your Recognition Number

When applying for registration, you will receive your recognition number immediately. The authority will send you the certificate of registration or incorporation after reviewing your uploaded documents. Ensure that you upload accurate information to avoid errors, as mistakes can lead to fines of up to 50% of your paid-up capital or a minimum of Rs. 25,000. By fulfilling the eligibility and registration requirements, your company can participate in the Startup India scheme and enjoy various benefits provided by the government.

Wrapping Up

The Startup India initiative has revolutionized the entrepreneurial landscape in India by offering financial, regulatory, and infrastructural support. If you’re an entrepreneur with an innovative idea, registering under this program can unlock numerous opportunities for growth and success. Begin your startup journey today and contribute to India’s transformation into a global hub for innovation.