UPSSSC Test 24

Uttar Pradesh has taken significant steps towards the social inclusion and welfare of transgender persons, recognising this community's long history of marginalisation and the need for affirmative policy interventions. Transgender persons, including Hijras and other gender-diverse individuals, have been present in Indian society for millennia and have held cultural and religious significance, yet have simultaneously faced severe social discrimination, denial of educational and employment opportunities, and exclusion from mainstream civic life. The Supreme Court's landmark NALSA judgement of 2014 recognised transgender persons as a third gender and directed central and state governments to develop welfare programmes for them. Following this, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019 was enacted by Parliament to prohibit discrimination against transgender persons in education, employment, health care, and other spheres and to provide for their welfare. In Uttar Pradesh, the government has been implementing various schemes to improve the socioeconomic condition of the transgender community. These include skill development programmes to provide vocational training in trades such as tailoring, handicrafts, and beautician services. Financial assistance and subsidised loans have been provided to help transgender persons establish small enterprises. The state has also taken measures to facilitate the issuance of identity documents including residential certificates and ration cards to transgender persons, addressing a major barrier they faced in accessing public services. Sensitisation programmes have been conducted for police personnel, health workers, and government officials to reduce discrimination and ensure respectful treatment of transgender individuals in their interactions with government institutions. Efforts to include transgender persons in mainstream poverty alleviation schemes and social security programmes have been made, recognising that a substantial proportion of the transgender population lives below the poverty line and requires targeted support to overcome deep-rooted social and economic disadvantages.