NEW DELHI — The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, via a voice vote. Introduced by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, the legislation introduces significant and highly debated changes to the existing 2019 Act, particularly concerning the legal definition and certification of transgender individuals.
Redefining Transgender Identity According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the amended legislation aims to recognize and protect a specific category of transgender persons who face social exclusion due to biological conditions.
The revised framework makes a sharp departure from the previous law by strictly redefining who qualifies under the Act:
-
Included Identities: The definition encompasses socio-cultural identities such as kinner, hijra, aravani, jogta, and eunuch. It also includes persons with intersex variations, congenital differences in primary or secondary sexual characteristics, chromosomal patterns, gonadal development, or hormonal responses.
-
Coerced Identities: The Bill contains specific provisions covering individuals who may have been coerced into a particular gender identity.
-
Removal of Self-Identification: In a highly controversial move, the Bill explicitly excludes persons who identify as transgender based purely on self-perception, omitting a landmark provision of the 2019 Act that recognized the right to self-identification.
New Certification Hurdles Under the amended provisions, the process for legally changing one’s gender and obtaining a certificate of identity has become more stringent. The issuance of this certificate will now be subject to direct scrutiny by the District Magistrate. This approval will be based on recommendations from a designated authority and, if deemed necessary, mandated consultation with medical experts.
Opposition and Community Backlash Since its introduction in the Lok Sabha on March 14, the Bill has triggered widespread protests from members of the transgender community across the country, who argue that the removal of self-identification is a severe regression of their fundamental rights.
Inside the House, the fast-tracking of the legislation also drew sharp criticism. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed deep concern over the Bill not being referred to a parliamentary standing committee for comprehensive review.
“There is a need for wider consultation, as sections of the community feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed,” Vadra noted during the proceedings.
Following the passage of the Bill, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 11 AM on Wednesday.
