Transgender people have a long history in India. Communities, like the Hijra, who do not fit into the categories of men or women, have existed in South Asia for thousands of years. They have traditionally played important roles in religious ceremonies and, during certain periods, in public life and politics.
In 2014, India’s Supreme Court officially recognized a third gender. This recognition included not only socio-cultural groups, but also trans men and women, as well as intersex and non-binary people. In 2019, Parliament went further by passing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, which provided legal protection from discrimination.
However, in March 2026, an amendment to the law narrowed the definition of who is considered transgender. It's now limited to intersex individuals and certain traditional sociocultural groups. The amendment also removes the right to self-identification.
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