NationalSunday, 27 September 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court hearing on transgender rights law: Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand positions
In August 2026 affidavits, Andhra Pradesh refused to defend the Centre’s transgender law amendments while Uttarakhand supported them in the Supreme Court.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, the Supreme Court heard challenges to the 2026 amendments to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, with Andhra Pradesh refusing to defend the law and Uttarakhand supporting it.
Key specifics
- The Union amendments removed the right to “self-perceived gender identity” from the law.
- The Supreme Court is hearing at least a dozen petitions challenging the 2026 amendments.
- Andhra Pradesh said the constitutional validity of the Act is primarily a matter for the Union of India.
- Uttarakhand said 3,750 applications for transgender identity cards were received, 3,233 certificates issued, 403 filtered, and 114 pending.
- The original rights argument refers to the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment of 2014.
Exam lens
Polity and social justice question type, Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2026 amendments, NALSA 2014, 3,750 applications, 3,233 certificates; TNPSC may ask which State refused to defend the law and what right was removed.