In a significant development, the central government is considering recruiting transgenders in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The MHA in this connection has requested CAPFs views on incorporating transgender as the third gender, along with males and females, in the Rules of CAPF (Assistant Commandant) Examination 2020.

The views of these forces are being compiled by their respective personnel directorates in consultation with their medical branches.

A daily reported, the issue is being examined, it includes medical and physical aspects, functionality in a uniformed force as well as other factors such as social acceptability, psychological impact and behavioural aspects.

The forces concerned, include the Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Shashtra Seema Bal, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and the Assam Rifles. Gazetted officers (GO) join these forces at the rank of Assistant Commandant, the entrance examination for which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

According to data placed by MHA in Parliament earlier this year, these forces are facing a shortage of 2,695 GOs. The total sanctioned strength of these six forces is 1,005 lakh out of which about three per cent are women.