Telangana HC directs police board to accept transgender applicants
Telangana High Court orders police recruitment board to allow transgender candidates to apply for constable and SI posts.
The Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the State Level Police Recruitment Board to permit transgender candidates to apply for the upcoming recruitment drive for stipendiary cadet trainee constables and sub-inspector positions.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin was hearing a writ petition filed by four transgender aspirants. The petitioners argued that the online application portal only offered binary gender options — male or female — which effectively barred them from participating in the selection process. They contended that this classification was contrary to existing legal protections.
The court observed that the absence of a third-gender option in the application forms was a systemic issue. It asked the state government why guidelines had not been issued to all departments to move away from the binary classification and adopt a more inclusive approach that provides adequate opportunities for transgender persons.
During the hearing, standing counsel for the recruitment board informed the bench that the deadline for submitting applications had already been extended to September 16. The court's directive now requires the board to modify its process to accommodate transgender candidates within this window.