Assam adds 'transgender' option in gender category of APSC form

GUWAHATI:

Assam is the first state in the country to add ‘transgender’ option in the gender category of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) form.

APSC chairman Pallab Bhattacharya said, “Initially we had not made a separate category for transgender persons when we issued notification for the exam in September. We were soon approached by a prominent transgender activist Swati Bidhan Baruah to include a separate category.”

Baruah, who is the associate vice-chairperson of the Assam State Transgender Welfare Board, said, “It’s a much-welcomed development. But only doing so wouldn’t be of much help if special steps are not included. I have written to the Commission to secure(a) reservation for the community and also provide special standard operating procedures (SOPs) so that others do not misuse this provision.”

A total of 42 transgender persons have applied for the combined competitive (preliminary) examination (CCE), 2020.

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