Education of Transgenders in India: Status and Challenges

Education is essential for the development of any democratic country. India is a demcretic country. The spirit of the Indian Constitution is to provide equal opportunity to every citizen to grow and attain their potential, irrespective of caste, religion or gender. Everyone has a gender identity. In India there are three gender; male, female and transgender. In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India on April 2014 created the “third gender ” status for hijras or trans genders. As per census 2011, there are around 4.9 lakh third gender in the country who faces social discrimination and harrasment. Trangenders were respected earlier in the society but situation has changed and they now face discrimination and harassment. Now, transgenders will study in schools and colleges with all facility approving their admission under the category of “disadvantaged group ” defined by the Right to Education Act2009 (RTE). Transgenders are eligible for twenty five percent reservation under the economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged students category for admission. They are socially and economically backward. Transgender will be allowed admission in educational institutions and given employment on the basis that they belonged to the third gender category. The Supreme Court said absence of law recognizing hijras as third gender could not be continued as a ground to discriminate them in availing equal opportunities in education and employment. The Supreme Court said they will be given educational and employment reservation as OBCs. Transgenders are deprived of social and cultural participation, are shunned by family and society. This paper is as a step towards enhancing the participation of transgender in mainstream education including higher education, professional education and employment. The paper has analysed the present educational, social and employment status of transgender community in India.