The Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it yesterday. Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday through a voice vote, following a walkout by the opposition. The bill aims to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision for self-perceived gender identity, and excludes several socio-cultural identities, as well as transmasculine individuals, from its scope.
Responding to the discussion on the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar stated that the government is committed to the well-being of the transgender community. He added that the bill provides provisions to empower transgender individuals and ensure their dignity. The Minister further stated that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to integrate transgender people into the mainstream and eliminate discrimination against them.
