Assam Grants SEBC Status to Transgender Individuals in State

The Assam government has officially recognised individuals of the third gender as part of the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC), in line with directives issued by the Supreme Court of India.

Addressing the media after the Assam Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision, which marks a major step in integrating the transgender community into the mainstream of development.

“In Assam, individuals belonging to the transgender or third gender community will now be officially recognised under a new provision. Following the Supreme Court’s directive, they have been granted SEBC status,” CM Sarma said.

The newly granted SEBC status will only apply to permanent residents of Assam, the Chief Minister clarified. Transgender individuals who have migrated to Assam from other states for work, study, or other reasons will not be eligible under this policy.

“This scheme is intended exclusively for individuals who are native to Assam. Those from outside the state will not be covered under this classification,” Sarma added.

The decision is a response to the Supreme Court’s landmark 2014 verdict in National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) vs Union of India, which directed both the Centre and states to recognise transgender persons as the third gender and ensure their inclusion in public welfare policies.

Assam becomes one of the few states in India to implement this directive in letter and spirit by granting a formal backward class status to the community.

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