Your Right to Recognition of Your Gender Identity

Identification documents play a major role in facilitating your rights such as the right to healthcare, education, etc. and are also important for day-to-day activities such as applying for a SIM Card or a bank account, etc. It is your right to get identification documents recognizing the gender you want to be associated with. 

Genders are recognized in government-issued ID Proofs

Identity documents in India only recognize 3 categories which are “male”, “female” and “third gender” (transgender) . If you come across any forms or procedures which do not give you the option of choosing “third gender” (transgender) , then you can:

• Ask the authorities what options you have
• Take the help of lawyers, NGO’s to assist you in obtaining the identification proof
• Carry a copy of proof of your gender identity. 

You should try and get at least one of the identity proof documents given below so that, the process of applying for the others becomes easier for you. Even though many of the identity documents are common across India, the procedures for obtaining them may be different so it is important to understand the requirements within your state. You can consult someone who has already obtained an ID Proof before, take the help of a lawyer, NGOs, etc.

List of Commonly Accepted Government Identity Documents

You can try and apply for some of the identity documents (ID Proofs) given in the list below: 

State-Centric Processes

The procedures for obtaining each of the identity documents may be different across states so it is important to understand the requirements within your State. You can consult someone who has already obtained an ID Proof before, take the help of a lawyer, NGOs, etc.