SC questions Delhi govt over gender-binary hiring policy

Supreme Court questioned Delhi government on how transgender persons can access public employment when recruitment advertisements classify teaching vacancies only under 'male' and 'female'.

A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran directed Delhi government to file an affidavit clarifying how transgender candidates will be considered when vacancy notifications remain gender-specific.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the OARS portal had been modified to include a 'third gender' option, allowing transgender candidates to apply.

The court noted the issue extends beyond portal access to the substance of vacancy notices still using binary gender categories.

The petition was filed by Jane Kaushik, a transgender woman, seeking separate vacancies and a comprehensive recruitment policy for transgender persons in Delhi government employment.