On April 29, the Central government informed the Madras High Court that individuals seeking to change their gender from male to female or vice versa on their passports are no longer required to furnish a sex reassignment surgery certificate, as per the case of Sivakumar TD v Union of India and Ors.
Addressing a Writ Petition
A Bench comprising Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad addressed a writ petition contesting the Passport Rules of 1980, which previously stipulated the necessity of a sex reassignment surgery certificate for altering gender designation on passports. The petitioner’s primary contention was the Central government’s insistence on this requirement for gender change on passports. As a result of the government’s submission, the petition was disposed of accordingly.
Petitioner’s Emphasis on Form-4
The petitioner emphasized that Form-4 (Certificate of Identity for change of gender) does not mandate the production of a certificate. In a previous hearing, the petitioner highlighted the Central government’s revised policy regarding gender change for transgender individuals.
Government’s Confirmation
During Monday’s hearing, the Central government confirmed to the Court that the same policy would extend to changing sex from female to male or vice versa. Consequently, the petitioner expressed satisfaction that their grievance had been addressed. Consequently, the Court resolved and disposed of the petition.
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