UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, a flawed fix
Q1. Which ministry is the implementing/nodal ministry for the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026?
- A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- B. Ministry of Women and Child Development
- C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- D. Ministry of Home Affairs
Q2. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 is most criticised for removing which right that the 2019 Act had recognised?
- A. The right to a self-perceived gender identity
- B. The right to reservation in higher education
- C. The right of residence within one's household
- D. The right to free legal aid in discrimination cases
Q3. With reference to the differences between the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the Amendment Bill, 2026, consider the following statements:
1. Under the 2019 Act certification was based on self-perceived gender identity, whereas the 2026 Bill makes it contingent on the recommendation of a medical board.
2. The 2019 Act vested certification powers in the District Magistrate, but the 2026 Bill transfers the power to issue the certificate entirely to the Chief Medical Officer.
3. The 2026 Bill narrows the definition of 'transgender person' into specified categories, in contrast to the broader, inclusive definition in the 2019 Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Under the 2019 Act certification was based on self-perceived gender identity, whereas the 2026 Bill makes it contingent on the recommendation of a medical board.
- The 2019 Act vested certification powers in the District Magistrate, but the 2026 Bill transfers the power to issue the certificate entirely to the Chief Medical Officer.
- The 2026 Bill narrows the definition of 'transgender person' into specified categories, in contrast to the broader, inclusive definition in the 2019 Act.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q4. The right to self-identify one's gender — which the 2026 Amendment Bill seeks to withdraw — was authoritatively affirmed by the Supreme Court of India in which case?
- A. NALSA v. Union of India (2014)
- B. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)
- C. Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)
- D. Naz Foundation v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi (2009)
Q5. Under the 2026 Amendment Bill, the designated medical board whose recommendation precedes issuance of a transgender certificate is headed by which official?
- A. Chief Medical Officer
- B. District Magistrate
- C. District Civil Surgeon
- D. Deputy Commissioner