Transgender people in India still face many challenges

Source: The post Transgender people in India still face many challenges has been created, based on the article “A people still waiting to move out of the margins” published in “The Hindu” on 5 April 2025. Transgender people in India still face many challenges.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Governance- mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: International Transgender Day of Visibility, observed on March 31, brings attention to the challenges faced by transgender individuals in India. Despite legal progress through the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, widespread social stigma, economic exclusion, and discrimination persist. The article highlights barriers to education, employment, and health care, demanding deeper inclusion.

For detailed information on The challenges transgender individuals face in India read this article here

Legal and Social challenges faced by transgender persons

1. Weak Legal Implementation: The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 is poorly enforced. By December 2023, out of 24,115 applications for identity cards, only 15,800 were issued, with over 3,200 pending beyond the mandated 30-day period.
2. Bureaucratic Hurdles: In Delhi, with a transgender population of about 4,200, only 23 identity cards were issued by April 2022, showing significant bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies.
3. Social Stigma and Exclusion: Despite legal recognitions, transgender individuals face widespread social stigma, discrimination in education, employment, and healthcare, leading to economic and social marginalization.
4. Lack of Comprehensive Protections: The Act lacks specific provisions to address critical issues like police harassment, family rejection, and broader social exclusion, making the legal framework inadequate in protecting the rights and dignity of transgender individuals.

Barriers to Economic Empowerment

1. A 2018 National Human Rights Commission report reveals 92% of transgender people are excluded from economic participation.
2. A 2022 study shows a staggering 48% unemployment rate among transgender individuals, significantly higher than the national average of 7%-8%.
3. Workplace discrimination includes hiring biases and hostility, with reports of inadequate gender-neutral facilities and resistance from colleagues.
4. Positive example: Tata Steel has proactively hired over 100 transgender employees, but such inclusive practices are not widespread across industries.
5. Financial services are still inaccessible, despite the 2024 provision allowing LGBTQ+ joint bank accounts and partner nominations.

Hurdles in Education

1. Low Literacy Rate: The 2011 Census reported a transgender literacy rate of 56.1%, significantly lower than the national average of 74.04%.
2. High Dropout Rates: In Kerala, 58% of transgender students have dropped out of school because of bullying, harassment, and unsupportive environments.
3. Lack of Inclusive Policies: Though some states like Maharashtra have introduced transgender cells in colleges and the University of Kerala offers reserved seats and hostel facilities, comprehensive and supportive educational policies are still lacking nationwide.

Health-Care Challenges

1. Denial of Care: 27% of transgender persons were denied healthcare due to their gender identity, as per a National Legal Services Authority survey.
2. High Costs: Gender-affirming treatments range from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh, with limited insurance options.
3. Insurance Gaps: The Ayushman Bharat TG Plus card provides ₹5 lakh coverage annually, but implementation shortfalls persist.
4. Lack of Specialized Care: There is a significant shortage of healthcare professionals trained to address transgender-specific medical needs.
5. Inadequate Mental Health Support: Mental health services for transgender individuals are severely lacking, exacerbating their marginalization.

Way Forward

1. Awareness is rising, but media often shows stereotypes.
2. Social prejudice remains strong in families, schools, and workplaces.
3. Campaigns like ‘I Am Also Human’ by Humsafar Trust are helpful.
4. Koovagam Festival in Tamil Nadu promotes cultural acceptance.
5. Broader steps needed: gender sensitisation, inclusive media portrayal, anti-discrimination laws, and support for transgender entrepreneurs.

Question for practice:

Examine the legal, social, and economic challenges faced by transgender individuals in India despite the enactment of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.