Uttarakhand High Court Ruling Supports Transgender Rights in Education Certificates

The Uttarakhand High Court struck down the school education board's decision to refuse name and gender changes in educational certificates for transgender individuals. The court mandated the state government to amend existing rules in line with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, ensuring the recognition of transgender rights.

In a landmark judgment, the Uttarakhand High Court on Friday overturned the school education board's decision to deny changes in the names and genders of transgender individuals in educational certificates.

The high court directed the state government to amend its rules to align with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, emphasizing the importance of implementing an evolved legal process and acknowledging transgender rights.

The case arose from a petition filed by a transgender individual from Haldwani who had undergone sexual reassignment surgery and legally changed their name and gender. Despite holding an identity card issued under Section 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, the Uttarakhand Board of School Education rejected their request for updated educational certificates, citing regulations that allow changes only for names deemed obscene, offensive, or derogatory.

(With inputs from agencies.)