In a landmark shift reflecting growing inclusivity in education, transgender student enrolment across schools and higher education institutions in India has surged significantly over recent years. According to official data tabled in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Education, the number of transgender students enrolled in schools increased more than sixfold from 155 in 2021–22 to 965 in 2023–24
UP and Bihar at the Forefront
The push for inclusion appears to be strongest in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In 2023–24, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest school enrolment with 327 transgender students, followed closely by Bihar with 282 students However, the trend wasn’t universally positive. States like Rajasthan and West Bengal recorded declining numbers—Rajasthan fell from 107 students to 77, and West Bengal dropped from 211 to 62 over the same period
Higher Education Follows Suit
The pattern extends into higher academia. Enrolment in colleges and universities climbed from 302 in 2020–21 to a provisional total of 1,448 in 2022–23 Uttar Pradesh continued to lead, bringing in 369 transgender students, followed by Maharashtra (158), Madhya Pradesh (124), Telangana (104), and Tamil Nadu (98)
Why the Surge?
This rise signals a growing awareness and efforts toward inclusive education. Experts and officials have highlighted the need for policies that go beyond mere enrolment—creating safe, supportive environments that help transgender students persist through their academic journeys
The Ministry has recognized these gains but stressed the importance of institutional and policy interventions—from inclusive curricula to gender‐sensitive infrastructure and anti-discrimination protocols—to ensure sustained progress
Challenges and Disparities Ahead
Despite the encouraging trend, stark regional disparities remain. Several states and Union Territories, including Ladakh, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, continue to report either negligible or zero transgender student enrollment .
Beyond enrolment numbers, barriers such as societal stigma, lack of inclusive documentation practices, and inadequate infrastructure continue to deter many transgender students from staying in school or college.
For instance, Delhi University—a decade after introducing a “third gender” option in forms—has yet to see a transgender student openly enroll in regular programs. Most who do get admitted choose to remain undisclosed due to fear of social stigma .
Broader Legal and Policy Backdrop
These developments unfold within the broader context of legal reforms. The landmark NALSA judgment (2014) recognized transgender individuals as a third gender, entitling them to equal fundamental rights and reservations in education and employment The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 further expanded legal protections and mandated non-discrimination across institutions .
In addition, organizations like the National Council for Transgender Persons, established in 2020, aim to coordinate policy implementation and advocacy for the transgender community at the national level
Looking Forward
The surge in transgender enrolment in states like UP and Bihar is a positive indicator, showing that representation is improving. Yet to transform this into long-term inclusion, stakeholders must ensure that educational spaces are safe, accessible, and affirming.
This requires systemic changes—from sensitization training for school staff, gender-neutral facilities, and inclusive curricula, to tracking retention rates and scaling best practices across regions.
As India advances toward greater educational equity, the journey of its transgender students serves as both a measure of progress and a call to action. Let me know if you’d like to explore regional trends, policy frameworks, or interviews with educators and activists next.