New Delhi, October 17, 2025 – In a historic move advancing transgender inclusion, the Supreme Court of India has appointed prominent Karnataka-based transgender activist Akkai Padmashali (also spelled Akai Padmashali) as a key member of a newly formed committee tasked with ensuring equal job opportunities, inclusive medical care, and broader protections for transgender persons across the country. This appointment marks Padmashali as the first transgender individual from Karnataka to serve on a Supreme Court-constituted panel, underscoring a pivotal step toward implementing the court's directives from its landmark 2014 NALSA judgment.
The committee, announced during a hearing on a petition addressing discrimination faced by transgender individuals in education and employment, is chaired by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon. Other members include transgender activist Grace Banu (a Dalit and transgender rights advocate), Gaurav Mandal from the Campaign for Legal and Policy Reforms (CLPR) Bengaluru, and Dr. Sanjay Sharma, a medical expert on transgender healthcare. The panel's mandate includes drafting an equal opportunity policy, reviewing implementation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and recommending measures for reservations, skill development, and anti-discrimination frameworks in workplaces and educational institutions.
The Supreme Court also issued interim guidelines during the hearing, directing central and state governments to:
- Prohibit arbitrary termination of transgender employees without due process.
- Mandate sensitization training for employers and educators.
- Ensure access to gender-affirming healthcare in public facilities.
- Award interim compensation in cases of proven discrimination, as demonstrated in the court's ruling compensating a transgender woman fired from two private schools.
Padmashali, a renowned activist and founder of the Transgender Welfare Equity and Empowerment Trust (TWEET) in Bengaluru, expressed elation on social media, stating, "This is not just my victory but a win for every trans person fighting for dignity and equality." Her inclusion highlights her decades-long advocacy, including legal battles for transgender recognition and against violence. The committee is expected to submit its report within six months, with the court monitoring compliance through periodic updates.
This development comes amid growing scrutiny of transgender rights in India, where despite progressive rulings, implementation lags—only 0.05% of the population identifies as transgender per the 2011 Census, yet employment rates hover below 10% in formal sectors. Legal experts hail the panel as a "proactive enforcement mechanism," potentially setting precedents for other marginalized groups.
For more details, the full order is available on the Supreme Court website, with the next hearing scheduled for January 2026.
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