India Steps Up Its Fight for Transgender Equality: Stronger Laws, Digital Reforms & Welfare Schemes Power Inclusive Growth
Summary: India is rapidly strengthening transgender rights with new-age laws, welfare schemes like SMILE, nationwide Garima Greh shelters, Ayushman Bharat TG Plus healthcare, and a multilingual national portal. These initiatives are transforming social protections and ensuring dignity, equality and real opportunities for the transgender community.
India Expands Transgender Rights With Strong Legal Protections, SMILE Scheme Support & Digital Empowerment
19 November 2025: India is witnessing one of its most progressive phases in strengthening rights for transgender citizens. From legal reforms to welfare initiatives and online services, a robust framework is taking shape - one that aims to eliminate discrimination and ensure dignity and equal opportunities for every transgender individual.
This renewed push is built on a decade-long journey that began with the historic NALSA judgment (2014), which first recognised transgender persons as a distinct and equal gender identity in the eyes of the law.
A Landmark Shift in India’s Approach to Gender Diversity
The 2011 Census recorded 4.87 lakh individuals who identified as “other” in the gender category - marking the first major demographic indicator for non-binary communities in India.
While the community faced years of social exclusion, the Supreme Court’s 2014 NALSA ruling became a landmark in India’s civil rights history. The judgement affirmed:
- The right to self-identify as male, female or transgender
- Full equality under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19 and 21
- Mandatory state responsibility to ensure welfare, protection & legal recognition
- The status of transgender persons as a “third gender”
This paved the way for modern policy-building, culminating in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019: India’s Foundation of Gender Justice
Enforced from January 10, 2020, the Act provides the strongest ever legal protections for transgender persons, ensuring both rights and welfare.
Key Highlights of the Act
Legal recognition of transgender identity - no surgery required
Protection against discrimination in:
- Schools
- Workplaces
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Public services
- Mandatory creation of welfare schemes
- Rights to education, skilling, healthcare & rehabilitation
- Establishment of a National Council for Transgender Persons
- Penalties for discrimination and abuse
These reforms mark a shift from passive tolerance to active protection.
Rules 2020: Turning Legal Rights Into Real-world Action
To ensure the Act is implemented effectively, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 were notified on 25 September 2020.
Transgender Protection Cells (20 States/UTs)
These cells:
- Monitor offences against transgender persons
- Ensure quick FIR registration
- Track investigations and prosecutions
- Conduct awareness and sensitisation drives
- Transgender Welfare Boards (25 States/UTs)
TWBs function as advisory and monitoring bodies to:
- Safeguard rights
- Expand access to welfare schemes
- Ensure social & economic inclusion
Together, these mechanisms push ground-level implementation nationwide.
National Council for Transgender Persons: A Voice in Policy Making
Formed on 21 August 2020, and reconstituted in 2023, the Council serves as a national think-tank and watchdog for transgender rights.
Key Functions:
- Advising the Government on policies & projects
- Evaluating impact of current schemes
- Coordinating ministries & NGOs working with transgender communities
- Addressing grievances
- Shaping long-term inclusion strategies
The Council includes:
- Government ministries
- NHRC & NCW representatives
- State/UT officers
- Five transgender community representatives
- Non-profit experts
This ensures community-led policymaking - a crucial step for real reform.
SMILE Scheme: India’s Most Ambitious Welfare Framework for Transgender Persons
Launched on 12 February 2022, the SMILE Scheme (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is designed to achieve holistic empowerment.
What SMILE Delivers
1. Livelihood & Skills Training
Vocational courses
Employability support
Industry partnerships
Special focus on youth & persons in vulnerable situations
2. Digital Scholarship System
Reduces dropout rates
Smooth transition from primary to secondary levels
Fully automated with single-login credential
3. Ayushman Bharat TG Plus Healthcare
A major milestone in gender-responsive healthcare:
- ₹5 lakh annual medical cover
- Hormone therapy
- Gender-affirming surgeries
- SRS procedures & post-operative care
- HIV counselling & community integrated services
- Access in both public and private hospitals
4. Garima Greh: Safe Shelter & Support
At present, 21 Garima Grehs operate across 17 states.
Recently, 3 more centres have been sanctioned (Puducherry, Basti & Gautam Buddh Nagar).
These shelters offer:
- Safe accommodation
- Food & clothing
- Healthcare support
- Counselling
- Skill training & livelihood support
5. Protection & Legal Assistance
Under the SMILE framework, district-level response mechanisms are improving legal support and on-ground protection.
National Portal for Transgender Persons: Digital Inclusion Comes Home
Introduced on 25 November 2020, the portal delivers a seamless, end-to-end process for identity certification.
Features:
- Apply for TG Certificate & ID card online
- No physical verification visits
- Track application status
- Access schemes & benefits
- Multilingual interface (English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Malayalam)
This empowers individuals to self-identify with dignity and privacy - core elements of the NALSA verdict.
A Stronger & More Inclusive India: The Road Ahead
Between 2014 and 2025, India’s transgender rights landscape has transformed significantly.
The government continues to conduct:
- Capacity-building training
- Sensitisation workshops
- National campaigns
- Inter-ministerial conferences
These ongoing efforts signal a long-term commitment to equality, dignity and inclusion.
India is building a future where every transgender person can live with autonomy, opportunity, legal protection and social respect - a future aligned with the nation’s democratic and human-rights values.
keywords: Transgender Rights India, SMILE Scheme 2025, Garima Greh Shelters, Ayushman Bharat TG Plus, Transgender Act 2019, National Portal TG, PIB Delhi News, Inclusive India
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