Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all its departments to ensure the inclusion of “Third Gender/Transgender” as a separate category in recruitment application forms for various state government posts.
The move aims to bring the state’s recruitment process in line with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which prohibits discrimination against transgender persons in matters of employment, education, housing, healthcare, and access to public services.
The Department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) on Saturday in a letter to all Additional Chief Secretary / Principal Secretary / Commissioner-cum-Secretary of all Departments reiterated that every government department must modify existing examination rules and make necessary provisions in both online and offline application forms to recognize transgender persons as a distinct category, alongside male and female.
The directive underlines the state’s responsibility to ensure that transgender persons are not denied opportunities in recruitment, promotion, or related matters of employment. The SSEPD also asked departments, commissions, and boards including OPSC, OSSC, OSSSC, and SSB, to take immediate steps towards compliance and report back on action taken.
Officials emphasized that the initiative aligns with Sections 9 and 10 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which mandate that no establishment shall discriminate against transgender persons in employment-related matters. The government has also reminded departments that the Act recognizes self-perceived gender identity, though a formal certificate issued by the District Magistrate is required for legal recognition.
By enforcing this inclusion, Odisha seeks to build an inclusive system that provides transgender persons with equitable opportunities in state services, a step that social activists and rights groups have long been demanding.
