The Union Law Ministry announced this development on Monday via gazette notice.

The Rajya Sabha voted in favor of the bill on March 25, fulfilling the last step needed to complete Parliament's legislative process. The bill had previously passed in the Lok Sabha one day earlier. Nevertheless, the bill has generated considerable controversy and objection based on concerns raised by numerous activists, legal professionals, and groups representing women's interests regarding how this type of legislation will affect transgender individuals.

Earlier today, approximately 140 lawyers and women's rights organisations sent a joint letter to the President requesting that she does not sign the bill into law due to concerns that some provisions in the bill may violate constitutional rights or the dignity and rights of transgender individuals. The letter highlighted a number of procedural issues associated with how the bill was passed through Parliament, including a request for a more thorough review and debate prior to becoming law.

Opponents of the bill requested that it be sent to a select committee to provide additional opportunities for assessing the proposed law before it could be voted upon. Their reasoning is that laws which limit rights to Transgender people require an extensive amount of input and review prior to passing. Despite these requests from the opposition, the government proceeded to send the bill through Parliament without sending it to a select committee.

The initial purpose of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act was to provide protection against discrimination based upon gender identity in the areas of education, employment, healthcare and public services. The primary purpose of the amendment is to make changes to certain sections of that statute; however, some critics argue that the proposed changes will reduce protections rather than increase them.

The passage of this bill and subsequent signing by the President of the bill has initiated further discussion throughout the country regarding the legal standing of transgender people, their rights, and the role of Parliament in passing important social and legal legislation on behalf of the citizens of India. Some activist organizations have indicated that they intend to pursue legal action against specific provisions of this amended statute.

This event represents another milestone in the undevelopment of India's existing systems for recognition of gender identity and rights of minorities; however, it is expected that future discussions on this subject will continue for several months.