Victory For ‘Third Gender’; Jadavpur University recognizes transgenders in admission forms

By Newsgram Staff Writer

In a landmark triumph for the 'Third Sex', Jadavpur University, one of the biggest universities in Kolkata, has decided to present the 'Third Gender' option along with the male and female options.

The proposal was mooted in a meeting between several universities and the higher education department by the university authorities.

"We have put in a separate column in the admission forms this year for the members of third gender. They can now express their status officially," P.K. Ghosh, registrar at Jadavpur University said.

Last year, the Supreme Court had recognised transgenders as the third gender in a landmark judgment.

It had directed the government to extend reservations in the Backward Class category in jobs and education, and provide them health care.

The apex court held that the third gender enjoyed all the rights under the Constitution.

This is the first instance when the third gender has been recognised by an educational institute in West Bengal.