New Delhi, March 24:The Lok Sabha has passed theTransgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026with a voice vote on Tuesday, amending the original 2019 Act. The Bill, introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar, revises the definition of a transgender person, excluding several individuals.
The statement of objects and reasons for the Bill outlines its legislative intent to recognize a specific group of transgender persons who face severe social exclusion due to biological reasons. The policy is designed to protect those who have been subjected to social discrimination, not out of choice, but because of their biological characteristics.
Under the amended Bill, a transgender person is defined as someone who identifies with socio-cultural categories such askinner,hijra,aravani,jogta, oreunuch, or has intersex variations. It also includes individuals with congenital variations in one or more sex characteristics, including primary sexual characteristics, external genitalia, chromosomal patterns, gonadal development, or endogenous hormone production.
Importantly, the Bill extends protection to transgender persons who are coerced into their gender identity. However, it excludes individuals who "self-perceive" as transgender, following the removal of Section 4(2) of the 2019 Act in Section 3 of the Amendment Bill.
In light of the changes, the District Magistrate will now be responsible for issuing a certificate of identity, contingent on a recommendation from the relevant authority and, where necessary, consultation with medical experts.
The Bill, first introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 14, has sparked protests from transgender rights groups nationwide. Earlier today, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra voiced her concerns about the government’s decision not to send the Bill to a standing committee.
"I truly believe it’s unfortunate that the Bill was not referred to the standing committee. The community feels that this Bill threatens to erase their identity. It was crucial for them to be consulted, as this is a major decision impacting their lives. It’s unfair that such a significant matter has been handled without proper consultation," she stated.
The Lok Sabha has been adjourned until 11 am on Wednesday.
