At a glance
- On 10 July 2025, the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi notified the Delhi Rules to protect transgender persons from discrimination and recognise their self-perceived gender identity.
- Transgender persons can obtain an identity certificate for their self-perceived gender without any medical or physical examination, granting full legal recognition.
- Stakeholder departments must revise policies and implement welfare schemes to ensure equal rights, protections and benefits for transgender persons.
- Employers are required to provide a safe, non-discriminatory workplace, publish an equal opportunity policy, and ensure confidentiality of gender identity.
- The Delhi Rules mandate the creation of a welfare board and grievance redressal mechanism to oversee implementation and safeguard transgender rights.
We would like to express gratitude to JSA for their contribution on this publication.
The Department of Social Welfare, government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi notified the Delhi Rules on 10 July 2025, with an aim to provide protection against discrimination to transgender persons and legally recognise their self-perceived gender identity. It enables transgender persons to access the same entitlements and benefits, as available to any other person.
- Identity certificate: Transgender persons can obtain a certificate of identity for their self-perceived gender by submitting an application online or in-person, to the designated authority under the Delhi Rules. The identity certificate grants the same recognition as any other proof of identity. The Delhi Rules prohibit any medical or physical examination of an applicant during the process of issuance of identity certificate.
- Welfare schemes, anti-discrimination measures and equal opportunities: The Delhi Rules entrust stakeholder departments to afford equal rights, protections and benefits to transgender persons by revising existing policies and programs, formulating new policies, welfare schemes, etc. and taking active steps in implementing the same.
- Equality in employment: Establishments are mandated to provide a safe working environment to transgender persons and to ensure that no transgender person is discriminated against in any matter relating to employment. Establishments are required to publish an equal opportunity policy and display the same in their premises, which must include inter alia provisions for access to infrastructural facilities, safety and security measures and amenities of the establishment, confidentiality of employees’ gender identity, complaint of officers, etc.
- Welfare board and grievance redressal mechanism: The Delhi Rules require the constitution of a ‘welfare board’ to be entrusted with providing equal rights and benefits to transgender persons, protection against discrimination, formulating new policies, welfare schemes for the benefit of transgender persons and supervising stakeholder departments in their execution.
The Delhi Rules lean towards making workplaces and public spaces a safe space for transgender persons and achieving social equity for all genders.
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