Karnataka becomes first Indian state to provide transgender reservation

Karnataka becomes first Indian state to provide transgender reservation

Karnataka High Court informed by the state government that it has amended rules to provide one per cent reservation in government jobs to transgender persons

State authorities have informed the Karnataka High Court that it has amended the existing rules to provide one per cent reservation in government jobs was to transgender persons.

Karnataka becomes the first Indian state to set aside government jobs for transgender persons amidst calls to do so for their integration in the mainstream of society.

The court was informed that the Karnataka Civil Services General Recruitment (Rules), 1977 have been duly amended to make provision for one per cent horizontal reservation for transgender persons in government employment.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj was informed about the amendments when a plea pertaining to the issue came up before the court.

"We have perused the amendments made by the State government to Karnataka Civil Services General Recruitment (Rules), 1977 by the Karnataka Civil Services Recruitment Amendment (Rules), 2021 by incorporating sub rule 1 (D) in rule 9. Clause 1 D provides for one per cent horizontal reservation for transgenders," the Court recorded.

The High Court was also informed by the counsel appearing for the Central government that the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has submitted a report recommending reservation for transgender persons and accordingly, directions were issued to the State government to implement it.