In a first, the Union Finance Ministry has approved the request of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer to change their gender from female to male in official records. This marks the first instance of such approval within the Indian civil service.
M. Anukathir Surya, formerly known as M. Anusuya, currently serves as Joint Commissioner in the office of the Chief Commissioner (Authorised Representative) of the Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Hyderabad. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Department of Revenue, issued an order stating,
"The request of M. Anusuya has been considered. Henceforth, the officer will be recognised as 'Mr. M. Anukathir Surya' in all official records."
Surya's career and education
- Anukathir Surya began his career as an assistant commissioner in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in December 2013. In 2018, he moved to Hyderabad, Telangana, to take up his current position after being promoted to deputy commissioner.
- Surya graduated from the Madras Institute of Technology in Chennai with a bachelor's degree in electronics and communication. Most recently, in 2023, she earned a postgraduate diploma in cyber law and cyber forensics from the National Law Institute University in Bhopal.
Legal Context
This development comes nearly a decade after the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in the National Legal Services Authority's (NALSA) case, which recognised the third gender and emphasised that gender identity is a "personal choice."
The court stated,
"There is no justification to deny basic human rights to transgender individuals. The Constitution has fulfilled its obligation to grant rights to transgender persons."
for the full case, click the picture above.
The Supreme Court further asserted that individuals have a constitutional right to be recognised as male or female after undergoing sex reassignment surgery, aligning their physical form with their gender characteristics.
Implications
This decision sets a precedent in the Indian civil service and reflects a growing recognition of gender identity rights in India. It aligns with the Supreme Court's directive to ensure a dignified life for transgender individuals and represents a significant step towards inclusivity in government institutions.
For more news on the transgender community, read:Kerala High Court Upholds Rights Of 19-Year-Old Transwoman
As this is the first case of its kind in the Indian civil service, it may pave the way for similar requests in the future, potentially leading to more inclusive policies and practices within government organisations.
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