Supreme Court Panel Urges Centre to Withdraw Transgender Amendment Bill

A Supreme Court-appointed committee, led by retired Justice Asha Menon, has requested the Union government to withdraw the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026.

The panel expressed grave concerns over the removal of self-identification rights, which were previously upheld by the Supreme Court in the NALSA judgment.

The committee noted that the new Bill shifts the recognition of transgender identity toward biological criteria and medical certification, potentially excluding those who have not undergone surgery.

Additionally, the panel flagged privacy risks regarding the mandatory sharing of medical data with district authorities and questioned the necessity of redundant penal provisions.