Assam becomes first state to have transgender option in state civil services exams

Assam became the first state in the country to add a 'transgender' option in the gender category of the civil service examination form.

The examination is similar to UPSC, it selects candidates for state civil service, police and other allied services.

For the first time, 42 transgenders have applied as candidates for the Combined Competitive (preliminary) Examination (CCE), 2020, conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).

The APSC had issued notification for the exam in September and was soon approached by a prominent transgender activist Swati Bidhan Baruah to include a separate category. They also checked with UPSC where transgenders already have a separate category called 'other'. The state government was apprised of the matter and a separate category was created.