In a major decision, the Madras High Court emphasized that transgender people ought to be considered a separate group for employment and education. The court recognized transgender people's distinct status irrespective of caste and ordered the Tamil Nadu government to refrain from categorizing them as either male or female.

The decision was made in response to a petition filed by transgender applicant R Anushri, who had contested a Group II recruitment that the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) had held in 2017–18. Anushri claimed that she was not given special consideration even though she received 121.5 marks (against a 90-mark cut-off). If other transgender people were on the merit list, the court ordered TNPSC to give her priority and allow her to undergo counseling.

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Image Source: TNPCS

Important Points

Special group for work and education: Transgender people should be considered as a special group, regardless of their caste.

Different norms: All hiring organizations are required to identify transgender candidates as a special group and adhere to distinct norms, as directed by the state home department.

Age relaxation: Transgender individuals will be granted the same age relaxation standards as other special categories.

No clubbing: Transgender people will never again be categorized as either male or female.

Supreme Court directive: The court emphasized that transgender people ought to be treated as a distinct group, citing a 2014 ruling. Governments have occasionally misinterpreted the recommendations issued in the NALSA case.

Opportunities for education: The court stressed giving transgender people full reservations for all types of positions in public offices and educational institutions.

The Madras High Court's historic ruling seeks to advance equality of opportunity, inclusion, and acknowledgment of transgender rights in the workplace and school. It emphasizes the necessity of specialized laws and standards to solve the particular problems this excluded community faces.

As of right now, there hasn't been any explicit objection to the Madras High Court's order to treat transgender people differently when it comes to employment and schooling.

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