(a) whether the Government has proposed/likely to propose inclusion of third option,
“transgender” in its application forms for academic programmes;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Supreme Court has given any direction in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
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ANSWER
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MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (b): Yes, Madam. Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Department of School
Education & Literacy has already advised all the State/UT Governments (except J &
K) to take appropriate action for inclusion of “third gender” children among the
socially and educationally backward classes for the purpose of admission in educational
institutions.
Further, in the application proforma for submission of proposals by the States/UTs
under National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) and National Scheme of
Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE), transgender option alongwith
male and female has already been included from 2013-14 onwards.
(c) to (d): Yes, Madam. Supreme Court vide its judgement dated 15th April, 2004 in
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 400 of 2012 has directed to treat and grant legal
recognition to transgenders as “third gender”.
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