The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026, sparking widespread criticism from the transgender community and opposition parties. The bill, which aims to redefine the category of transgender and provide greater administrative oversight, has been met with resistance from activists who claim it is a regression and fundamentally alters the relationship between the citizen and the government.
Speaking in favour of the bill, Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar stated that the protection of transgender persons was an “absolute need” and displayed the “moral power” of the Republic. However, opposition parties have called the bill “unconstitutional” and questioned the government's urgency in drafting amendments to an existing law without consulting the affected community.
The bill contains amendments to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and redefines the category of transgender based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. It also allows greater administrative oversight and reporting by medical institutions after gender reassignment surgery, and makes provisions for a medical board on whose recommendation a district magistrate can issue identity certificates.
However, the bill has been met with criticism from the transgender community, with several members speaking out against the bill in a press conference held in New Delhi. They urged the government to send the bill to a standing committee and reject the amendments, citing concerns over the lack of consultation and the potential for misuse.
A high-level delegation of transgender activists met Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and MP Jothimani on Tuesday, prompting the party to issue a strong statement of unequivocal opposition to the bill.
