Legal

MEA Updates Delhi High Court On Passport Renewal Process For Transgenders Post-gender Change Surgery

In a significant development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Delhi High Court about the process for transgender individuals who have undergone gender change surgery abroad to return to India and apply for passport renewal with updated information.

MEA Updates Court On Passport Renewal Process

The Central Government informed the court about steps to help transgender individuals with mismatched passport details after gender change surgery abroad.

A Ministry lawyer told Justice Dutta that transgender individuals could renew their passports in India without the certificate from the Transgender Persons Act of 2019.

The waiver applies if the individual submits a supporting certificate, surgical reconstruction certificate, and an affidavit confirming the gender change. This document would confirm that the person underwent surgery to change their gender.

MEA Details About Simplifying The Process

The MEA also informed the court that if the applicant cannot provide the required documents, an emergency certificate can be issued to support the individual’s case. Following this, the concerned authorities in India will issue the necessary documents for passport renewal.

The court noted the Ministry’s information and directed the government to update the passport manual accordingly.

Background Of The Petition

This update came during a petition by a transgender woman who had surgery in the U.S. After the surgery, she faced significant challenges in getting her passport re-issued with the new name, gender, and photo. She had to obtain a letter of recognition from a U.S. court regarding the gender change.

Despite applying for a new passport in India, her request was initially denied. Her petition in the Delhi High Court prompted the government to clarify the passport renewal process for transgender individuals post-surgery.

Also Read: Supreme Court Addresses Dispute Over Well Near Sambhal Mosque; Seeks Report

Gopal Krishna

Recent Posts

Intuitive Eating: A Path To Healthier Relationship With Food

Intuitive Eating is a revolutionary approach to food and health that focuses on listening to…

1 hour ago

Who Is Lex Fridman? AI Expert And Researcher Hosts PM Modi For A Powerful Conversation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared as a guest on the Lex Fridman Podcast on Sunday…

11 hours ago

‘Asia’s Century’: Modi Calls For Cooperation Between India And China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of strengthening India-China relations and resolving border tensions…

11 hours ago

PM Modi Credits RSS For Shaping His Life And Instilling A Spirit Of Service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for shaping his life and…

12 hours ago

PM Modi Highlights India’s Civilizational Strength In Lex Friedman Podcast, Calls For Global Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India is more than a geographical entity—it is a…

13 hours ago

PM Modi On Trump’s Courage And Elon Musk’s Role In Efficiency Reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on his strong relationship with former US President Donald Trump…

13 hours ago