Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Department of School Education & Literacy has 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.

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 along with male and female has already been included from 2013-14 onwards.

The Supreme Court vide its judgment dated 15th April, 2004 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 400 of 2012 has directed to treat and grant legal recognition to transgender as “third gender”.

This was stated by the Union HRD Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question today.

Source: PIB