 Amendment Bill, 2026 has been passed by Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha){kind=link}
New law sparks controversy over removal of self-identification and consultation gaps
April 2, 2026: The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 has been passed by Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha approving it after it cleared the Lok Sabha. The legislation received assent from Droupadi Murmu on March 31, making it law. The bill introduces significant changes to how transgender identity is defined under Indian law.
One of the key amendments removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and narrows the definition of transgender persons, excluding certain socio-cultural identities and transmasculine individuals. Defending the move, Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar said the government remains committed to the welfare and dignity of the transgender community, adding that the law includes measures aimed at empowerment and reducing discrimination.
However, the United Nations Human Rights has raised concerns over the bill’s swift passage, stating that it lacked adequate stakeholder consultation. The body warned that replacing self-identification with mandatory medical verification could undermine existing protections, affect privacy rights, and risk further marginalisation of transgender individuals. The development has sparked a wider debate on rights, inclusion, and legal safeguards.