Madras High Court: Transgenders Should Be a Special Category

The Madras High Court has ruled that transgenders should be classified as a special category for education and employment, directing the Tamil Nadu government to create specific norms and extend age relaxation for them. This decision follows a petition by a transgender individual denied a civil service opportunity due to current classification norms.

In a landmark decision, the Madras High Court has mandated that transgenders be treated as a special category, separate from male and female classifications, for education and employment purposes. The ruling, issued by Justice V Bhavani Subbaroyan on June 12, 2024, directs the Tamil Nadu government to establish unique norms for transgenders in all educational and employment avenues.

The judge emphasized the need for state recruiting agencies to specify 'transgender' as a special category and set distinct cut-off marks for them. Furthermore, age relaxation benefits extended to other special categories should also apply to transgenders irrespective of their caste, ensuring equitable opportunities in future employment and educational sectors.

This ruling was prompted by a petition from R Anushri, a transgender individual denied the chance to sit for a civil service exam due to existing classification norms. The court's decision underscores the necessity for clear and supportive policies for transgenders, aligning with previous Supreme Court directives that transgenders should not be classified under male or female categories.

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