PLGI Cover Page

Policy, Law, and Governance Insights

eISSN : 3107-7706 | Frequency: Half-yearly

Editor in Chief : Prof. (Dr.) Rashmi Aggarwal

About : Policy, Law, and Governance Insights is a bi-annual, peer-reviewed, national e-journal dedicated to publishing scholarly research and insights into policy analysis, legal frameworks, governance models, and public administration. The journal seeks to promote interdisciplinary dialogue on public polic Read more

Article Metrics
Views : 91 | Downloads: 134
Crossref Citations: Loading...

View in Google Scholar
Dimensions
Altmetric Attention
PlumX:

Perceptions and Lived Experiences of Transgender Individuals toward the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026 in Delhi NCR: A Pre-Post Focus Group Analysis

  • Kashish Dua* Kashish Dua Corresponding author Research Scholar Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida. India Kashish Dua ORCID Id
Received: April 08, 2026
Accepted: May 08, 2026
Published: May 20, 2026
Volume: 2 (1) | Page: 14-40

Abstract

Purpose:- The recognition of transgender rights in India has evolved substantially with the establishment of legal recognition of transgender identities and policies that aim to ensure protection for gender minorities. However, there are still many issues regarding the effectiveness of existing laws in combating social exclusion, health inequalities, discrimination, and lack of representation faced by the transgender community. The recent Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026 has fueled the debate on inclusivity, access to health care, legal recognition, and anti-discrimination legislation in India. Given these circumstances, the current research examines the views of transgender persons concerning the amendment bill in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) through the pre–post focus group discussion method.

Design/Methodology:- The research design for this study was exploratory qualitative research based on an interpretivist philosophy. The respondents were purposefully selected using snowball sampling to ensure the inclusion of different experiences of transgender people in Delhi NCR. The data were obtained using focus group discussions and reflective assessment activities analyzing changes in awareness, perception, and interpretation of the bill.

Findings:- The results showed consistent instances of social marginalization, institutional distrust, unequal access to healthcare services, and inadequate engagement in policy-making processes. Implications The researchers stressed that mere legal acknowledgment is not enough unless there is increased institutional responsibility, accessible healthcare, and transgender involvement in governance and policymaking.

Keywords: Transgender Rights; Gender Identity; Policy Perception; Lived Experiences; Focus Group Discussion; Delhi NCR; Legislative Reform

References

  1. Aaberg, L. (2022). Corporate India after Section 377: Haphazardness and strategy in LGBTQ diversity and inclusion advocacy. Gender, Place & Culture, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2022.2146660
  2. Arvind, A., Pandya, A., Amin, L., Aggarwal, M., Agrawal, D., Tiwari, K., Singh, S., Nemkul, M., & Agarwal, P. (2021). Social strain, distress, and gender dysphoria among transgender women and Hijra in Vadodara, India. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(1–2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2020.1845273
  3. Bhattacharya, S., Ghosh, D., & Purkayastha, B. (2022). ‘Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act’ of India: An analysis of substantive access to rights of a transgender community. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 14(2), 676–697. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huac004
  4. Bagga, T., Gupta, P. K., Ola, M. O., & Gilani, P. (2025). NEP 2020 in Practice : Perspectives on Implementation Challenges. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 18(12), 8–14. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2025/v18i12/175030
  5. Dangre, A., & Tripathi, A. (2018). Beyond Section 377: The peril of being homosexual in India. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3214061
  6. Ejaz, K., & Moscowitz, L. (2020). Who ‘framed’ Ramchandra Siras? Journalistic discourses of sexual citizenship in India. Sexualities, 23(5–6), 951–970. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460719876829
  7. Giritharan, S. (2020). Socio-cultural perspectives, challenges, and approaches to sexual health in the Indian subcontinent. In D. Rowland & E. Jannini (Eds.), Cultural differences and the practice of sexual medicine (pp. 37–52). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36222-5_3
  8. Gruskin, S., Yadav, V., Castellanos-Usigli, A., Khizanishvili, G., & Kismödi, E. (2019). Sexual health, sexual rights and sexual pleasure: Meaningfully engaging the perfect triangle. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 27(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2019.1593787
  9. Hussain, Z., Rizvi, L. J., & Sheikh, H. (2022). The Equality Act (2010): Pre- and post-pandemic historic development on equality and discrimination issues for employers: Review of literature. International Journal of Law and Management, 64(2), 168–183. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLMA-03-2021-0067
  10. Jain, D., Rastogi, A., Kartik, K., Diwan, A., & Saha, O. (2022). Medical abortion through telehealth in India: A critical perspective. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 29(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2022.2107090
  11. Kalra, G., Subramanyam, A., & Pinto, C. (2011). Sexuality: Desire, activity and intimacy in the elderly. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 53(4), 300–306. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.91902
  12. Kaur, L. (2024). Exploring LGBTQ+ equality in India: A comprehensive examination from anthropological and legal perspectives. SG&P, 7(2), 220–237. https://doi.org/10.1002/sgp2.12092
  13. Lingam, L., Bhushan, A., & Kumar, R. (2024). A gender perspective on health policies and programs: An overview of frameworks and experiences. In T. S. Ravindran, M. Sivakami, A. Bhushan, S. F. Rashid, & K. S. Khan (Eds.), Handbook on sex, gender and health (pp. 1–21). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9265-0_40-1
  14. Misra, G., & Ferdous, N. (2017). Why legal reform is insufficient to ensure sexual equality. Development, 60, 96–99. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41301-017-0133-6
  15. Mishra, V. V., Nanda, S., Vyas, B., Aggarwal, R., Choudhary, S., & Saini, S. R. (2016). Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction among Indian fertile females. Journal of Mid-Life Health, 7(4), 154–158. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-7800.195692
  16. Mowri, S., Bailey, A., Helbich, M., Ettema, D., & Hasan, M. M. U. (2024). Safety interventions for women in urban public transport of South Asia: A systematic review and synthesis. In T. S. Ravindran et al. (Eds.), Handbook on sex, gender and health (pp. 1–24). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9265-0_47-1
  17. Muruganandhan, S., Sanjeev Kumar, A. R., Saiesakkisakthivel, R., Abishek, M., Sivasubramanian, K., & Muinao, M. (2025). Gender discrimination and empowerment of LGBT community in India: A systematic review. In M. Al Mubarak (Ed.), Sustainable digital technology and ethics in an ever-changing environment (Vol. 237, pp. 489–503). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-86708-8_36
  18. Nair, S. J. (2022). Introduction: Transgender to transperson: An overview of Indian histories of self, sex, and society. In D. A. Vakoch (Ed.), Transgender India (pp. 1–15). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96386-6_1
  19. Patkar, A. (2020). Policy and practice pathways to addressing menstrual stigma and discrimination. In C. Bobel, I. T. Winkler, B. Fahs, K. A. Hasson, E. A. Kissling, & T. A. Roberts (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of critical menstruation studies (pp. 487–500). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0614-7_38
  20. Paul, R., Suresh, M., & Mondal, J. (2017). Factors influencing healthcare access of female commercial sex workers in India: An in-depth review. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 4(6), 1827–1833. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20171302
  21. Pitre, A., & Lingam, L. (2022). Age of consent: Challenges and contradictions of sexual violence laws in India. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 29(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2021.1878656
  22. Prabhakaran, D. K., Nisha, A., & Varghese, P. J. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction in male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 60(1), 71–77. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_42_17
  23. Raman, N. M. (2025). Public policy and governance in Modi's era: A decadal analysis (2014–2024). Policy, Law and Governance Insights, 1(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.64006/plgi/1101
  24. Roy, P., Manohar, S., Raman, R., Sathyanarayana Rao, T. S., & Darshan, M. S. (2015). Female sexual dysfunction: A comparative study in drug-naive first episode depression in a general hospital of South Asia. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(3), 242–248. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.166623
  25. Sehgal, N., & Patni, C. B. (2023). COVID-19 and female sex workers in India: A journey of brutal reality. SN Social Sciences, 3, Article 53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00631-9
  26. Sharma, A. (2008). Decriminalising queer sexualities in India: A multiple streams analysis. Social Policy and Society, 7(4), 419–431. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746408004399
  27. Simões, S. S., Blanchette, T. G., Murray, L., & da Silva, A. P. (2020). The prostitute, the city, and the virus. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2(1), 100078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2020.100078
  28. Singh, R., Goel, S., Bourgeade, P., Aleya, L., & Tewari, D. (2021). Ayurveda Rasayana as antivirals and immunomodulators: Potential applications in COVID-19. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(40), 55925–55951. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16280-5
  29. Sirohi, T., & Mehra, P. (2025). An evolutionary and comparative analysis of the legal landscape of sexual offenses against women in India. Sexual Health & Compulsivity, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720162.2025.2598472
  30. Sumalatha, B. S., Bhat, L. D., & Chitra, K. P. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on the informal sector: A study of women domestic workers in India. Indian Economic Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/00194662211023845
  31. Taslim, N., & Canales, A. D. (2023). De novo evaluation of gender dysphoria misconceptions and Islamic religious perplexity: Is there any chance of reconciliation? Journal of Gender, Culture and Society, 3(1), 6–18. https://doi.org/10.32996/jgcs.2023.3.1.2
  32. Thirunavukarasu, A., & Simkiss, D. (2013). Developments in reproductive health education in India. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 59(4), 255–257. https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmt066
  33. Tikoo, M. (1997). Sexual attitudes and behaviors of school students (Grades 6–12) in India. Journal of Sex Research, 34(1), 77–84. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3813308
  34. Tripathi, K., Borrion, H., & Belur, J. (2017). Sexual harassment of students on public transport: An exploratory study in Lucknow, India. Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 19, 240–250. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-017-0029-0
  35. Tripathi, P. (2023). Reproductive justice discourse vis-a-vis abortion law in India: A critical review. Space and Culture, India, 10(4), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.v10i4.1301
  36. Verma, S. K., Sharad, S., Singh, T., & Bharti, P. (2023). Living with alternatives: Perceived crises, meaninglessness and efforts for a meaningful life in Indian Hijras. Culture & Psychology, 29(4), 840–863. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067X231201385
  37. Vora, K. S., Saiyed, S., & Natesan, S. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on family planning services in India. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 28(1), 1785378. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2020.1785378
  38. Vasudevan, G., Singh, S., Gupta, G., & Jalajakshi, C. K. (2020). MGNREGA in the times of COVID-19 and beyond: Can India do more with less? Indian Journal of Labour Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41027-020-00247-0
  39. Viswanath, K., & Basu, A. (2015). SafetiPin: An innovative mobile app to collect data on women’s safety in Indian cities. Gender & Development, 23(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552074.2015.1013669
  40. Whitzman, C., Andrew, C., & Viswanath, K. (2014). Partnerships for women’s safety in the city: “Four legs for a good table.” Environment and Urbanization, 26(2), 443–456. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247814537580
  41. Whitzman, C., Shaw, M., Andrew,C., & Travers, K. (2009). The effectiveness of women’s safety audits. Security Journal, 22, 205–218. https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2009.1
  42. Wijesiriwardena, S., de Silva, K., Divakalala, C., & Issadeen, H. C. (2020). Acts of agency: Exploring a feminist approach to abortion research in Sri Lanka. South Asian Survey, 27(2), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971523120947070
  43. Wojcicki, J. M., & Malala, J. (2001). Condom use, power and HIV/AIDS risk: Sex-workers bargain for survival in Hillbrow/Joubert Park/Berea, Johannesburg. Social Science & Medicine, 53(1), 99–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(00)00315-4
  44. Yanow, D. (2007). Interpretation in policy analysis: On methods and practice. Critical Policy Analysis, 1(1), 110–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2007.9518511
Recently Cited By
Loading citations...
Citation copied to clipboard
×
Cite this Article