Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has asked the state government to include a “third gender” or “transgender” option in online application forms for examinations conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC).
The directive followed a petition filed by third-gender candidate Sony Sil from Cuttack, expressing concern over absence of this category in the OPSC’s online forms for upcoming exams, specifically the Odisha Combined Civil Services (OCS) examination. Sil claimed this omission violated fundamental rights to equality and non-discrimination under the Indian Constitution.
In its order, issued after hearing the plea on January 22, the OHRC expressed serious concern over the exclusion contrary to the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act. It also referred to the Supreme Court’s earlier directions to recognise transgender persons as a third gender and ensure equal opportunities for them in public employment.
It urged the General Administration and Public Grievance Department to instruct the OPSC to amend the application forms by adding the “third gender/transgender” category. Since the application process is already underway for recruitment to 465 Group A and Group B posts, the Commission suggested extending the submission deadline by at least 15 days to enable impacted candidates to participate without any disadvantage. The application window was open till February 20.
To enforce compliance, the OHRC has sought a detailed report from the state government within 60 days on actions taken.
The Commission further recommended the state government to consider implementing at least a 1% horizontal reservation for transgender persons in government recruitment exams and directed relevant authorities, including the OPSC and other recruiting bodies, to adopt similar measures for broader inclusivity.
It also noted that the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department had last year instructed all departments and recruitment agencies to revise examination rules and application formats to incorporate a third gender/transgender category.
