Srinagar
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has announced the inclusion of a “Third Gender/any Other Category” option in application forms for recruitment to various posts. This decision, outlined in Circular No. 30-JK (GAD) of 2023, signifies a significant step towards recognizing rights of transgender individuals in the region.
This comes under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019, which prohibits discrimination and ensures fair treatment of transgender individuals across various sectors, including education, employment, healthcare, and public services. The act mandates the government to take proactive measures to facilitate the participation and inclusion of transgender persons in society, including access to welfare schemes and protection against employment discrimination.
Following the directives of the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Government of India, the J&K administration has taken steps to align with the provisions of the Transgender Persons Act. An advisory issued by the DOPT urged all ministries and departments to modify examination rules to include transgender individuals as a separate gender category.
In compliance with these guidelines, the J&K administration has notified the modification of Civil Services Examination Rules, 2020, to include transgender individuals as a distinct gender category. Consequently, all administrative departments are instructed to adapt relevant examination and service rules to incorporate the option of “Third Gender/any Other Category” in recruitment application forms.