Content

1. Rights of Transgender Persons in India
2. Waste to Wellness: India’s Sanitation Journey

Rights of Transgender Persons in India

Why in News ?

• Recent PIB release highlighted government measures to protect and empower transgender persons in India.
• Updates include the SMILE scheme, Garima Greh shelters, National Portal facilitation, and reconstitution of the National Council for Transgender Persons.
• Emphasis on mainstreaming transgender persons through legal recognition, welfare, and employment opportunities.

Who Are Transgender Persons?

• Persons whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex assigned at birth.
• Includes trans-men, trans-women, intersex, and genderqueer individuals.
• Census 2011 recorded ~4.87 lakh individuals under “other” gender category in India.

Key Legal Milestones

1. NALSA v. Union of India (2014)
   1. Supreme Court recognized transgender persons as a “third gender.”
   1. Affirmed right to self-identify and constitutional protections under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19, 21.
2. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
   1. Enforced 10 Jan 2020.
   1. Provisions:
      1. Legal recognition & self-perceived identity.
      1. Ban on discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, public services, residence.
      1. Welfare measures, skill development, health coverage.
      1. Complaint mechanisms and penalties for violations.
3. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020
   1. Mandates States to establish:
      1. Transgender Protection Cells (monitor offenses, ensure FIR registration, sensitization programs).
      1. Transgender Welfare Boards (TWBs) to facilitate access to welfare measures.
   1. 20 Protection Cells and 25 TWBs already operational.

Government Initiatives

1. National Council for Transgender Persons
   1. Statutory body under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
   1. Functions:
      1. Policy advice, monitoring, coordination of programs.
      1. Grievance redressal and evaluation of welfare schemes.
      1. Includes 5 representatives from the transgender community.
2. SMILE Scheme (2022)
   1. Aims at holistic rehabilitation and empowerment.
   1. Focus Areas:
      1. Skill development & employment.
      1. Education & scholarships.
      1. Health coverage through Ayushman Bharat TG Plus (₹5 lakh/year/person for gender-affirming care, SRS, hormone therapy, counseling).
      1. Safe shelters via Garima Greh (21 operational, 3 recently sanctioned).
   1. Constitutional grounding: Articles 14, 15, 21.
3. National Portal for Transgender Persons
   1. Launched 25 Nov 2020; multilingual digital access.
   1. Online issuance of Transgender Certificate; facilitates access to schemes without physical office visits.

Constitutional & Human Rights Dimensions

• Equality (Art. 14): Equal treatment before law.
• Non-discrimination (Art. 15): Explicit protection against gender-based discrimination.
• Freedom of expression (Art. 19): Includes gender identity.
• Right to life & dignity (Art. 21): Health, shelter, education, and social inclusion.

Comprehensive Overview

• India has shifted from recognition in NALSA (2014) to systemic support via laws, policies, and schemes.
• Key achievements:
  • Legal recognition of self-identified gender.
  • Institutional mechanisms (National Council, TWBs, Protection Cells).
  • Social welfare & livelihood schemes (SMILE, Garima Greh).
  • Digital accessibility (National Portal) for certification & benefits.
• Gaps & Challenges:
  • Awareness and societal stigma remain major barriers.
  • Implementation varies across states; some TWBs and Protection Cells are yet to be fully functional.
  • Employment and education opportunities still limited despite legal guarantees.

Significance

• Reflects India’s commitment to inclusivity, constitutional morality, and human rights.
• Promotes mainstreaming of marginalized communities while providing legal safeguards.
• Strengthens India’s position in international human rights frameworks on gender identity.

Waste to Wellness: India’s Sanitation Journey

Why in News ?

• PIB release on 19 Nov 2025 highlighted India’s progress in sanitation as part of World Toilet Day observance.
• Key highlights:
  • ODF Plus villages reached 5,67,708 (467% growth).
  • 4,692 cities have ODF status.
  • Shift from open defecation elimination to sustainable sanitation systems (ODF Plus, ODF++).

Sanitation and Its Importance

• Safe sanitation ensures:
  • Public health and reduction of waterborne diseases.
  • Environmental sustainability and cleaner groundwater.
  • Women’s safety, privacy, and dignity.
  • Better educational and productivity outcomes.
• Global context: Linked to SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation (universal access by 2030).

World Toilet Day

• Observed 19 November annually.
• UN-designated since 2013.
• Raises awareness on sanitation as a human right and public health priority.

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

1. Launch: 2 October 2014
   1. Objective: Eliminate open defecation and improve solid/liquid waste management.
   1. Components: SBM-Gramin (rural) and SBM-Urban (cities/towns).
2. Key Achievements:
   1. Rural ODF: Declared in 2019.
   1. Health Gains: WHO estimates ~300,000 fewer diarrheal deaths (2019 vs 2014).
   1. Economic Savings: ₹50,000 per household annually from reduced health costs.
   1. Women’s Safety: 93% reported feeling safer at home.
   1. Environmental Protection: Reduced groundwater pollution.
3. Phase II (2020 onwards)
   1. Objective: Sustain ODF outcomes; achieve ODF Plus villages with solid and liquid waste management and visual cleanliness.
   1. Levels of ODF Plus:
      1. Aspiring: ODF sustained + either solid or liquid waste management.
      1. Rising: ODF sustained + both solid & liquid waste management.
      1. Model: ODF sustained + both SWM & LWM + visual cleanliness + IEC messaging.
   1. ODF++: Fully functional toilets + safe faecal sludge and sewage management.

Current Status (as of Nov 2025)

• Rural:
  • ODF Plus villages: 5,67,708 (467% growth from Dec 2022)
  • ODF Plus Model Villages: 4,85,818
• Urban:
  • ODF cities: 4,692
  • ODF+ cities: 4,314
  • ODF++ cities: 1,973
• Construction Targets Achieved:
  • Individual Household Latrines: 108.62% (63.74 lakh constructed)
  • Community/Public Toilets: 125.46% (6.38 lakh constructed)

Complementary Initiatives

1. AMRUT (2015 / AMRUT 2.0 – 2021)
   1. Focus: Urban sewerage, drainage, and basic infrastructure.
   1. Achievements:
      1. 890 sewerage/septage projects worth ₹34,447 crore.
      1. 4,622 MLD sewage treatment capacity added (1,437 MLD for recycle/reuse).
      1. State/UT projects: 586 worth ₹68,461.78 crore; 6,964 MLD STP capacity approved.
2. Jal Jeevan Mission (2019)
   1. Ensures safe drinking water and maintenance of ODF villages.
   1. Strengthens sanitation outcomes in rural areas.

Significance

• Demonstrates India’s transformation from access-based sanitation to sustainable, holistic hygiene systems.
• Promotes:
  • Public health
  • Environmental protection
  • Gender safety and dignity
  • Community participation and behavioral change
• Aligns with global SDG targets, positioning India as a model for large-scale sanitation reform.

Conclusion

India’s sanitation journey showcases:

• Infrastructure + Behavior Change + Policy Integration.
• Shift from ODF → ODF Plus → ODF++, emphasizing sustainability and dignity.
• Integrated approach via SBM, AMRUT, and Jal Jeevan Mission ensures holistic development and strengthens public health resilience.