National Council for Transgender Persons
Topic: Safeguards for Vulnerable Sections: SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, Women and Children · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The National Council for Transgender Persons is a statutory body, which means it was set up by a law and not by the Constitution. It was created in 2020 under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 and is chaired by the Union Minister of Social Justice. It advises the government on policies for transgender persons and handles their grievances (complaints). It gives the community a forum inside the government.
Example
If a transgender person faces discrimination at a hospital or in a job, the matter can be raised before the Council, and it can push the government to act. Related welfare work includes the SMILE scheme (2022), which runs Garima Greh shelters for transgender persons.
Don't confuse with
- NALSA case (2014): a Supreme Court judgment that recognised a "third gender" and the right to self-identify one's gender. It is a court ruling, not a body.
- District Magistrate's certificate of identity: under the 2019 Act, the DM issues the identity certificate. The Council does not.
Related concepts
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
- Benchmark disability
- Accessible India Campaign
- Rajive Raturi case
- Mental Healthcare Act 2017
- HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017
- NALSA case
- Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019
- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007