Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026 Receives Presidential Assent

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 has received Presidential assent, officially enforcing a restrictive legal framework for gender recognition.

The Act narrows the definition of "transgender person," excluding self-identification as a standalone basis and requiring certification from a state-mandated medical board.

This shift from the NALSA (2014) principles has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and a Supreme Court-appointed committee. The law introduces stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for forced identity or exploitation.

Critics and the Rajasthan High Court warn it transforms an "inviolable aspect of personhood" into a State-mediated entitlement, potentially undermining the fundamental right to dignity and autonomy.