Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it yesterday. Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on tuesday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit.

Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said, the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said, the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said, NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them.