In a landmark step towards inclusion and protection of transgender rights, the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi has notified the Delhi Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2025. These rules were published in the Delhi Gazette on July 10, 2025, under powers granted by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
The new rules provide a comprehensive legal and administrative framework to ensure transgender persons in Delhi can access identity documents, healthcare, welfare schemes, safe employment, and non-discriminatory public services.
🔑 Key Highlights of the 2025 Rules
🆔 Identity Recognition Made Accessible
- Transgender persons can apply for a Certificate of Identity (Form-3) based on self-declared gender through an affidavit (Form-2).
- No medical or physical examination is required.
- Applications can be submitted in person or online via the National Portal for Transgender Persons.
- Those who underwent gender-affirming medical intervention may apply for a Revised Certificate of Identity(Form-4).
- Identity cards (Form-5 or Form-6) will be issued by the District Magistrate within 15–30 days.
🏥 Healthcare & Infrastructure
- At least one government hospital in Delhi will offer free and safe gender-affirming surgeries, counseling, and hormone therapy within two years.
- Hospitals must create separate wards and washrooms for transgender persons.
- HIV sero-surveillance centres specific to the transgender community to be established.
🛡️ Anti-Discrimination Measures
- Stakeholder departments must ensure no discrimination in education, healthcare, employment, sports, public transport, and housing.
- A Transgender Protection Cell will be established in each district under the District Magistrate and under the Commissioner of Police.
📚 Education and Sensitization
- All educational institutions must have a complaints committee accessible to transgender students.
- Curriculum changes and faculty sensitization are mandated to foster respect for gender diversity.
👩⚖️ Legal Safeguards
- The District Magistrate must act on identity applications within set timelines.
- Rejection of applications must be explained within 30 days, with a right to appeal within 90 days to the Divisional Commissioner.
💼 Employment Equality
- All establishments must have:
- Equal Opportunity Policy for transgender persons.
- Complaint officers designated within 30 days.
- Policies must ensure safe working environments and infrastructure like unisex toilets and confidentiality of gender identity.
- Grievances must be resolved within 30 days.
🏛️ Transgender Welfare Board
- A Transgender Welfare Empowerment Board is to be formed, chaired by the Minister of Social Welfare.
- It will:
- Advise on transgender-related policies.
- Review departmental actions.
- Address grievances.
- The Board will include government officials, NGOs, and transgender representatives.
- Non-official members will receive an allowance of ₹2,000 per day for meetings.
📋 Other Provisions
- Existing benefits from state-issued identity cards will continue post-implementation.
- Government must draft a comprehensive transgender protection policy within two years.
- Mandatory awareness campaigns, vocational training, and rehabilitation shelters to be created.
🚀 What This Means
This rulebook signifies a progressive shift in governance by embedding dignity, choice, and protection for transgender individuals into Delhi’s legal and welfare systems. It brings Delhi in alignment with the national mandate under the 2019 Act, with a strong focus on affirmative action, timely service delivery, and structural inclusivity.
The government’s commitment to transforming hospitals, educational institutions, and workplaces into safe spaces marks a crucial move toward achieving social equity for all genders.