Overview
- The Union government introduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on March 13, led by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar.
- The Bill deletes the 2019 law’s recognition of a self‑perceived gender identity and replaces an inclusive definition with limited categories tied to specified intersex variations and certain socio‑cultural identities, explicitly excluding self‑perceived sexual identities.
- The proposal replaces self-declaration with certification based on recommendations from state medical boards, grants district magistrates discretion over issuing certificates, and requires medical institutions to report gender‑affirming procedures.
- New offences carry stringent penalties, including 10 years to life for forcing someone to assume a transgender identity, life imprisonment and fines when a child is involved, and severe terms for forcing trans persons into begging.
- Transgender, queer, feminist groups and several Opposition MPs have mounted protests, open letters and public hearings calling the Bill unconstitutional, urging withdrawal or referral to the Standing Committee, as the government defends the tighter rules citing concerns about non‑genuine claimants.