Transgender

• A term that describes a person whose gender identity is different from the sex they were
assigned at birth

• For example a transgender person who was assigned female at birth may identity as male , a
combination of male and female , or neither

• Indias2011 census was the first census in its history to incorporate the number of trans
population of the country

• The report estimated that 4.8 million Indians identified as transgender

• The highest number of transgenders being in Uttar Pradesh followed by Andhra Pradesh ,
Maharashtra and Bihar

• In the National legal service authority Vs union of India case (2014) , the supreme court of
India declared transgender people to be a third gender

• It also affirmed that the fundamental rights granted under the constitution of India will e
equally applicable to transgender people

• It also gave them the right to self identification of their gender as male , female or third
gender

Issues Transgender People Face

• Lack of legal protection –They are subjected to custodial violence and overall apathy to their
issues such as educational residential , medical and employment

• They are met with Harassment and stigma from the society and are considered mentally ill

• Lack of legal protection translates into unemployment and poverty for transgender people

Transgender persons (Protection of rights) Bill 2019

• The bill defines a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender
assigned at birth
• A transgender person may make an application to the district magistrate for a certificate of
identity , indicating the gender as transgender

• The bill prohibits discrimination against a transgender person , including denial of service or
unfair treatment

• It states the offence against transgender persons will attract jail of 6 months to 2 years plus a
fine

• The act has a provision that provides transgender with the right of residence with parents
and immediate family members

• It calls for establishing a National council for transgender persons

Government Policies and Programs

1) National portal for transgender persons

• It has been launched in consonance with Transgender persons (protection of rights) rules
2020

• It would help transgenders in digitally applying for a certificate and ID card from anywhere
in the country

2) Karuthal Scheme

• This scheme provides funds for transgender people to cover expenses like emergency
surgeries first aid , food , clothing etc

• Beneficiaries must have a transgender certificate or ID card

3) Garima Greh

• Launched in November 2020 by social justice and empowerment min

• A shelter home for transgender persons

• The scheme will rehabilitate a minimum of 25 transgender persons in each homes identified
by the ministry
4) Niramaya Health insurance Scheme

• Health insurance scheme for persons with disabilities covering under national trust act 1999

• Beneficiaries can avail an insurance coverage upto 1 lakh and it would be renewed every
year

• To enroll this scheme the beneficiary should pay an amount of Rs. 500 for APL category and
Rs. 250 for BPL categories

5) SMILE Scheme

• Support for marginalized individuals for livelihood and enterprise

• Focuses on rehabilitation provision of medical facilities , counselling , education skill

development and economic linkages to transgender persons

6) Matru Jyoti Scheme

• Financial assistance for physically disable mothers

• Launched by department of social justice government of Kerala

• Financial assistance of Rs. 2000 will be provided

• Financial assistance will be provided to differently abled mothers until the child turns two
years for the nurturing of the baby after delivery

7) Snehayanam Scheme

• Scheme for persons with special needs

• Launched by department of social justice government of Kerala

• Under this scheme Electro Auto Rikshaws will be provided free of cost to mothers of persons
with disabilities who suffer financially

• They should be a resident of Kerala

• Be a widow , legally divorced or abandoned by their husband

 • Be below poverty line and without a steady income

• Be 55 years of age or younger

• Have a valid 3 wheeler license

8) Parinayam I

• Marriage assistance to daughters of differently abled parents

• Launched by department of social justice , government of Kerala

• Kerala government provides marriage assistance to the daughters of differently abled

parents

• The financial aid of rupees 30,000 will be provided for the marriage of upto two daughters of
differently abled parents

9) Sahachari Scheme

• It was launched by Kerala Government

• Is intended for supporting differently abled students

• The scheme provides assistance to NCC , SPC and NSS units that assist students with over 40
percent disability

• It involves an award of 40,000 rupees for these units the purpose

• It also includes the award of certificates and plaques

State policy for Transgenders in Kerala

• It was the first of its kind in India

• The policy aims to enforce the constitutional rights of transgender persons as mandated by
the Supreme Court in NALSA Vs union of India

• The policy recommendations for ,

a) recognizing the right to marriage , partnership and parenting

b) Establishing shelter homes , housing schemes and monthly pension schemes

c) Issuing BPL ration cards under the public distribution system

d) Conducting a timely census of all transgender people

e) Providing separate toilets in public spaces and offices

f) Setting up a district level rehabilitation center

g) Allocating funds to address transgender issues and support organizations

i) Establishing a TG Justice Board and holding regular meetings of district transgender boards

j) Issuing gender identity certificates based on recommendations from the district TG Justice
Committee

First in India regarding Transgender

1) Kerala was the first states with a policy for transgender people which was introduced in 2015

2) In 2016 Pranab Mukherjee opened the gender park in Kozhikode

3) In 2016 the countrys first transgender school opened in the city of kochi

4) The government medical college hospital in Kottayam opened a clinic in 2017 that
exclusively attends to the transgender community

5) Kochi metro was the first city to have hired transgenders in 2017

6) The Noida Metro Rail corporation dedicated one of its stations to the transgender
community and renamed it as pride station

7) Joyita Mondal became Indias first transgender judge in 2017. she was born in Kolkata

8) Sathyasri Sharmila of Tamil Nadu became the first transgender lawyer in the country in 2018

9) K Prithika Yashini of Tamil Nadu became the first transgender in the country to become a
police officer in 2015

10) Shabi is the countries first transgender to become a solider of the Indian Navy’s Marine
Engineering Department in 2010

11) Jiya as from Kolkata became the first transgender operation theatre or OT technician
12) Shabnam Mausi , Indias first transperson to become an MLA from Shahdol district of Madhya
Pradesh

13) Manabi Bandhopadhyay , Indias first transgender college principle at Krishnagar Womens
college in Nodia district

14) Mumtaz , the first transperson candidate to contest elections in Punjab from BSP party