UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — President urged not to grant assent to Transgender Amendment Bill

Q1. With reference to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, consider the following provisions: 1. The District Magistrate must consider the recommendation of a designated medical board before issuing an identity certificate. 2. Obtaining a revised certificate after gender-affirming surgery is made mandatory. 3. The Bill explicitly includes persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities within the definition of transgender persons. 4. It introduces enhanced punishment for forcing a person to assume a transgender identity. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The District Magistrate must consider the recommendation of a designated medical board before issuing an identity certificate.
  2. Obtaining a revised certificate after gender-affirming surgery is made mandatory.
  3. The Bill explicitly includes persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities within the definition of transgender persons.
  4. It introduces enhanced punishment for forcing a person to assume a transgender identity.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. The National Council for Transgender Persons, under whose framework the 2026 Amendment Bill operates, is chaired by the Union Minister in-charge of which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • D. Ministry of Women and Child Development

Q3. In the context of the NALSA v. Union of India (2014) judgment cited against the 2026 Amendment Bill, the principle of 'self-identification' of gender most precisely means that:

  • A. gender identity is recognised on the basis of a person's own determination, without compulsory medical examination or biological testing
  • B. gender can be legally changed only after sex reassignment surgery certified by a medical board
  • C. a District Magistrate determines a person's gender after examining documentary and family evidence
  • D. the State assigns a 'third gender' category to all persons who do not register as male or female

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 with the 2026 Amendment Bill: 1. Under the 2019 Act a person could apply directly to the District Magistrate for an identity certificate, whereas the 2026 Bill interposes a medical board recommendation. 2. The 2019 Act made obtaining a revised certificate after surgery optional, while the 2026 Bill makes it mandatory. 3. The maximum imprisonment prescribed for offences against transgender persons was higher under the 2019 Act than under the new offences introduced in 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the 2019 Act a person could apply directly to the District Magistrate for an identity certificate, whereas the 2026 Bill interposes a medical board recommendation.
  2. The 2019 Act made obtaining a revised certificate after surgery optional, while the 2026 Bill makes it mandatory.
  3. The maximum imprisonment prescribed for offences against transgender persons was higher under the 2019 Act than under the new offences introduced in 2026.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The 2026 Amendment Bill replaces the broad definition of 'transgender person' with a list of specified categories. With reference to the categories retained or added by the Bill, consider the following: 1. Hijra 2. Eunuch 3. Genderqueer 4. Kinner Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a category included in the 2026 Bill's list?

  1. Hijra
  2. Eunuch
  3. Genderqueer
  4. Kinner
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4
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