The United Nations has sharply criticised India's swift passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, warning that the new law could roll back hard-won rights of the transgender community.
In a statement posted on X, the UN said it "regrets the fast passage… without adequate stakeholder consultation," adding that the amendments replace self-identification with mandatory medical verification, undermining privacy and risking further marginalisation.
The legislation, cleared by the Lok Sabha on March 24 and Rajya Sabha on March 25, received presidential assent earlier this week. Despite opposition demands for scrutiny by a select committee, the Bill was passed, narrowing the definition of transgender persons and excluding trans men, trans women, non-binary, and genderqueer individuals without medical diagnoses.
Activists have condemned the law as "regressive" and "catastrophic," arguing it strips protections for self-perceived identity and contradicts constitutional guarantees. The UN noted that India had once been a pioneer in advancing transgender rights, but warned the new framework could have far-reaching impacts on dignity and equality.
The matter is expected to spark intense debate, with rights groups preparing to challenge the law in court.