Hyderabad IRS Officer Paves Way with Gender Change Approval 

In a decision, the central government has approved a Hyderabad-based Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer’s request for a name and gender change. M Anusuya, currently serving as Joint Commissioner in the Chief Commissioner’s office at the Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal in Hyderabad, will now be officially recognized as Mr. M Anukathir Surya. This significant change was confirmed in an office order signed by the Under Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and Ministry of Finance. 

Hyderabad has a history of setting progressive precedents in gender recognition. In June 2015, a BA LLB student from NALSAR (National Academy of Leal Studies and Research) University successfully requested that their gender not be specified on their graduation certificate.  

The university also honored the student’s preference for the honorific prefix ‘Mx’ instead of ‘Ms’, marking a pivotal step toward acknowledging gender fluidity in India. Continuing this trend, in March 2022, NALSAR designated a hostel floor as an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students, further supporting the community’s needs.  

In another significant milestone, Dr. Ruth Paul John became the first transgender doctor in India to pursue post-graduation in 2022. She secured a position in the MD Emergency Medicine program at ESI Hospital, Hyderabad, with the support of Osmania General Hospital and various voluntary organizations. Dr. Ruth’s journey was made possible through successful fundraising efforts. 

The Telangana government has also been proactive in supporting the transgender community. Last July, it established the first transgender clinic at Osmania General Hospital. The medical professionals posted there underwent sensitization training to ensure they could provide the best care to transgender patients.