Kozhikode: It was with Sabia's birth 3 years ago that Zahad and Ziya Paval became India's first transgender parents. Now, through their child's birth certificate, they have for the first time been officially recognised under the category of " parents."

After a legal battle, permission was granted to record "parents" instead of "father" and "mother" on the birth certificate. Accordingly, the Kozhikode Corporation recently issued a birth certificate stating "Parents of Sabia."

The couple had decided they wanted a child when Zahad began transitioning to male and Ziya to female. They paused their medical treatments midway to prepare for parenthood, and Sabia Zahad was born on February 8, 2023.

Their wish was to have Zahad's name listed in place of the father and Ziya's in place of the mother on the birth certificate. However, authorities initially responded that only Zahad, who gave birth, could be listed as the mother and Ziya as the father. This led the couple to approach the court.

Following this, the High Court ordered that a separate "parents" column be included in birth certificates. The order, issued last June, ensures protection for all transgender couples becoming parents.