Calcutta High Court orders 1 per cent reservation for transgender persons in public employment

The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to implement a 1% reservation for transgender persons in State public employment, citing the Supreme Court's 2014 NALSA judgment advocating welfare measures for transgender individuals. \r

Despite a 2022 State policy advocating equal treatment in employment, no such reservation had been implemented. The court, in response to a petition by a transwoman seeking a teaching position after qualifying the Teachers' Eligibility Test, ordered the Chief Secretary to ensure the reservation in all public employment. \r

Additionally, it instructed authorities to arrange her interview and counselling as a special case for recruitment as an assistant teacher in primary schools against future vacancies, underscoring the need for appropriate relaxations in her appointment process.