Topical Analysis: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020

As per international standards, ‘transgender’ is an umbrella term that includes persons whose sense of gender does not match with the gender assigned to them at birth. For example, a person born as a man may identify with the opposite gender, i.e., as a woman.  In addition to this sense of mismatch, the definition provided under the new rules also lists further criteria to be defined as a transgender person.  These additional criteria include being (i) ‘neither wholly male nor female’, or (ii) ‘a combination of male or female’, or (iii) ‘neither male nor female’.

The Supreme Court, the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Social Justice and Welfare, and the recent Standing Committee report all define ‘transgender persons’ based on the mismatch only.

The main problems that are being faced by the transgender community are of discrimination, unemployment, lack of educational facilities, homelessness, lack of medical facilities like HIV care and hygiene, depression, hormone pill abuse, tobacco and alcohol abuse, penectomy and problems related to marriage and adoption.

Constitutional rights related to Transgender

• Preamble to the Constitution Mandates Justice - social, economic, and political equality of status.
• Right to equality under Article 14.
• Article 15 speaks about the prohibition of discrimination on the ground of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
• Article 21 ensures right to privacy and personal dignity to all the citizens.
• Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings as beggars and other similar forms of forced labor and any contravention of these provisions shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law

• A transgender person who wishes to obtain the identity certificate must fill an application known as ‘Form-1’ and submit it to the District Magistrate. The parents/guardians of a minor child can fill out and submit this application for them.  The District Magistrate will verify the Application along with an affidavit given and a report by a psychologist of a Government hospital. This verification will not include any medical examination. Also, to verify one's place of residence, the concerned person should be residing there for at least one complete year.
• The identity certificate would have to be issued within 60 days of applying. This certificate would enable one to change their gender or name in official documents and would make one eligible for public services. These changes in name or gender would have to be made within 15 days and any benefits which were given to a transgender person by the State Government would continue.
• If an applicant is seeking for a gender change surgery, then the District Magistrate would issue a revised identity certificate in ‘Form-4’ within 15 days.  A person applying for this would have the same advantages and entitlements as mentioned above for the person issuing identity certificate under ‘Form-1’. 
• If the Application is rejected then the applicant is to be informed and they have a right to appeal within 30 days from the date they were informed about the rejection.
• Anyone who obtains a false identity certificate would be prosecuted
• The Government will take necessary steps to review and reform various educational, social security, health and welfare schemes and various enactments, in order for them to be sensitive towards transgender people. Also, various steps will be taken to prohibit discrimination and develop institutional facilities like rehabilitation centres. Awareness campaigns, educational and sensitisation training will be given to people to change their behavior towards transgender persons. The National Institute of Social Defence will help the Government carry out these functions.

• Requirement of psychologist’s report to apply for a Certificate of Identity 

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 states that a person who is recognised as ‘transgender’ shall have the right to ‘self- perceive’ their gender identity. Once a person identifies as transgender, they may apply for a Certificate of Identity issued by a District Magistrate.  Such a certificate will be proof of their identity as ‘transgender’ and confer rights and benefits under the Act.  

The new Rules specify the manner, form and process by which persons may apply for a certificate, and in which the certificate will be issued.  The new Rules state that to apply for a Certificate, applicants must provide (i) an application form, (ii) an affidavit declaring themselves to be transgender, and (iii) report from a psychologist of a government hospital.   Based on these documents, the District Magistrate may certify the applicant as transgender.  

Purpose of psychologist’s report is unclear and does it include any qualification criteria for the psychologist. 

Note that the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment (2016) that examined the Bill when introduced in Parliament observed that the presence of medical professionals in the panel for determining the certification of a person as transgender increases the risk that the applicant’s gender identity will be assessed on a medical, biological, or psychological basis. According to the Committee, this would violate the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender, as held by the Supreme Court in National Legal Services Authority vs. Union of India (2014).

• Applicant to be a resident of the area for one year before submitting application

The Rules state that a District Magistrate may only issue a Certificate of Identity to an applicant who has been a resident of the area under his jurisdiction for a period of one year as on the date of the application.  It may be argued that this provision increases the burden on transgender persons to apply for a Certificate of Identity. 

The Expert Committee on Issues Related to Transgender Persons (2014) observed that the transgender community faces ostracisation from family, unemployment and homelessness. Therefore, it may be difficult for transgender persons to prove residence for a continued period of at least one year before submitting an application.  

Various other licences and certificates do not have a one-year residency requirement.  The notice for a civil marriage requires at least one of the parties to the marriage to have resided in the area for at least 30 days. Also, there is no minimum time period for which a person must reside in the area when applying to a Road Transport Organisation for issuance of a driving licence.

• Purpose for collection and sharing of certain data not specified 

The application form for a Certificate of Identity requires the applicant to submit information such as education qualification, name of school or college, whom they live with, and sources of income.  It is unclear why such information is required for the certification of a person as transgender. 

Further, the application form requires that information provided by applicants will be kept confidential and may only be shared with central or state security agencies.  It does not state the purpose for which the information will be shared.  It also does not identify the security agencies with whom such information can be shared. 

• Penalty for making a false application

The Rules require an applicant to submit an affidavit declaring their identity as a transgender person, along with their application.  However, it also specify a penalty against persons who make an application for Certificate of Identity with an intention to falsely obtain the status of a transgender person.  Since persons have the right to self-perceive their gender identity, it is unclear on what basis authorities may determine whether a person is filing a false application.  Note that the Act does not specify a penalty for making a false application for a Certificate of Identity.

• Welfare measures for transgender persons not specified 

The Act states that welfare measures to protect the rights and interests of transgender persons and facilitate their access to welfare schemes may be prescribed in the Rules. The Rules state that the appropriate government must: (i) review existing welfare schemes to include transgender persons, (ii) ensure welfare schemes, programmes and subordinate legislation are non-discriminatory towards transgender persons, (iii) take adequate steps to prohibit discrimination towards transgender persons, and (iv) educate transgender persons on benefits available to them.  These details have currently not been specified.  

There is still no mention of providing reservations to these communities in the education and employment sectors.  The 2011 data revealed that the literacy rate among the community is only 46% and the employment rate is worse than the prior i.e. 38% Apart from such harsh socio-economic conditions, they are fighting for their identity and privacy as well.

The Rules also state that the appropriate government must provide separate washrooms in establishments within two years from the notification of the rules.  As per the Act, an “establishment” includes central and state government funded or controlled bodies, and any other company, body corporate, association or body of individuals, firm, society, trust, agency, or institution.  Given that the definition of establishment is broad, it may be argued that it is not feasible for the appropriate government to provide separate washrooms for transgender persons in all private and public establishments. 

• Process for determination of gender after sex-reassignment surgery is unclear

The Act provides for transgender persons that undergo sex-reassignment surgeries to apply for a revised Certificate of Identity and identify as male or female. The Rules specify the manner in which a person who has undergone surgery can apply for a revised Certificate. This includes providing a medical certificate and application form.  However, the application form provided in the Rules for a revised Certificate only allows the applicant to select ‘transgender’ as their gender of choice and not ‘male’ or ‘female’.  This seems to be a drafting error as the revised identity card issued on the basis of such application declares the person’s gender as ‘male’ or ‘female’. 

• Provide for identification of transgender persons in all government and non-government records by introducing a separate column to include the third gender.
• Sensitize communities towards the challenges and needs of transgender persons.
• Create a forum for the active participation of transgender persons at all levels of governance.
• Providing reservations to transgenders in fields of employment and education becomes important to empower them. Transgenders belong to a marginalized section of society. Reservations can help the community to grow intellectually as also help in the upliftment of the community.
• Penalties for crimes against transgenders should be more stringent. The current penalty is way too less for a heinous crime done against the community or the people. The punishment should be equal to punishment for a crime against cisgender woman. The Act should promote equity and not treat trans people as lesser beings.
• Strict action should be taken against family or peers who discriminate or are violent towards transgenders.
• Since the notification of the rules, there has been no training or sensitization made available to District Magistrates, who are the focal point in all the applications. In many places, they are not aware of the duties imposed upon them through the Rules. Training should be provided.