Bill on Clear Definition of ‘Transgender’ and Stronger Legal Protection Introduced in Lok Sabha

New Delhi | 13 March 2026 A new legislative proposal aimed at providing a clearer definition of the term “transgender” and strengthening legal protection for such individuals was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Virendra Kumar, who heads the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The proposed Transgender Persons Amendment Bill seeks to address gaps in the existing legal framework and ensure that the benefits and protections under the law reach the intended community. According to the bill, a more precise definition of transgender persons is necessary to avoid confusion during the implementation of the current law. It states that a transgender person includes socio-cultural identities such as ‘kinner’, ‘hijra’, ‘aravani’ and ‘jogta’, as well as eunuchs and individuals with intersex variations or congenital differences in sex characteristics at birth. At the same time, the bill clearly underlines that a transgender person “shall not include, nor shall ever have been so included, persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities”. The proposed amendment also introduces stricter legal provisions for crimes committed against transgender persons. Lawmakers noted that the existing law mainly addresses general offences and does not sufficiently cover serious cases involving extreme harm. The bill therefore suggests creating specific offences with graded punishments that reflect the severity of the crime, especially in cases involving abduction, forced identity changes or serious physical harm inflicted through medical or surgical procedures. Another key provision of the bill focuses on administrative recognition and documentation. It proposes that once an individual receives an official certificate identifying them as a transgender person, they will be allowed to update their first name in their birth certificate and other official identity documents. The government believes that clearer definitions and stronger legal provisions will help protect the rights of transgender individuals while ensuring that the law is implemented in a more structured and effective manner. Bill on Clear Definition of ‘Transgender’ and Stronger Legal Protection Introduced in Lok Sabha A new legislative proposal aimed at providing a clearer definition of the term “transgender” and strengthening legal protection for such individuals was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Virendra Kumar, who heads the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The proposed Transgender Persons Amendment Bill seeks to address gaps in the existing legal framework and ensure that the benefits and protections under the law reach the intended community. According to the bill, a more precise definition of transgender persons is necessary to avoid confusion during the implementation of the current law. It states that a transgender person includes socio-cultural identities such as ‘kinner’, ‘hijra’, ‘aravani’ and ‘jogta’, as well as eunuchs and individuals with intersex variations or congenital differences in sex characteristics at birth. At the same time, the bill clearly underlines that a transgender person “shall not include, nor shall ever have been so included, persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities”. The proposed amendment also introduces stricter legal provisions for crimes committed against transgender persons. Lawmakers noted that the existing law mainly addresses general offences and does not sufficiently cover serious cases involving extreme harm. The bill therefore suggests creating specific offences with graded punishments that reflect the severity of the crime, especially in cases involving abduction, forced identity changes or serious physical harm inflicted through medical or surgical procedures. Another key provision of the bill focuses on administrative recognition and documentation. It proposes that once an individual receives an official certificate identifying them as a transgender person, they will be allowed to update their first name in their birth certificate and other official identity documents. The government believes that clearer definitions and stronger legal provisions will help protect the rights of transgender individuals while ensuring that the law is implemented in a more structured and effective manner.