Supreme Court Forms Committee for Transgender Rights; Akkai Padmashali Appointed
AQuick answer
SC formed transgender rights committee chaired by Justice Asha Menon; activist Akkai Padmashali appointed as member.
Key facts
Supreme Court constituted a special committee in October 2025 to protect rights of transgender persons and formulate an Equal Opportunity Policy
Committee chaired by retired Delhi HC Judge Justice Asha Menon
Transgender activist Akkai Padmashali from Karnataka appointed as member, first transgender person on an apex court-appointed panel
Padmashali is founder of organisation Ondede and first transgender person in Karnataka to register her marriage
Other members include transgender activist Grace Banu
The Supreme Court of India constituted a special committee in October 2025 to protect the rights of transgender persons and formulate an Equal Opportunity Policy. The committee is chaired by retired Delhi HC Judge Justice Asha Menon.
Renowned transgender activist Akkai Padmashali from Karnataka was appointed as a member, placing transgender-rights activists within the apex court-appointed panel. Padmashali, founder of the organisation Ondede, is also the first transgender person in Karnataka to register her marriage. Other members include transgender activist Grace Banu.
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Mains angle
Q: Examine the significance of the Supreme Court's October 2025 Transgender Rights Committee in advancing equal-opportunity jurisprudence and activist representation.
Answer (50 words):
The Supreme Court of India constituted a Transgender Rights Committee in October 2025, chaired by retired Delhi High Court Judge Justice Asha Menon, to formulate an Equal Opportunity Policy. Karnataka-based activist Akkai Padmashali, founder of Ondede, became the first transgender member on an apex-court panel; transgender activist Grace Banu also joined.
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Linked questionMedium
In October 2025, the Supreme Court constituted an advisory committee on transgender rights. Which of the following statements about this committee is/are correct?
1. It is chaired by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon.
2. It includes transgender community representatives such as Akkai Padmashali.
Select the correct answer:
Explanation · Correct answer C
Both statements are correct. The Supreme Court directed the formation of an advisory committee chaired by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon. The committee's membership includes transgender rights activists such as Akkai Padmashali, Grace Banu and Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, along with other experts and government representatives.
What committee did the Supreme Court form for transgender rights in India?
The **Supreme Court of India** constituted a special committee in **October 2025** to protect the rights of transgender persons and formulate an **Equal Opportunity Policy**. The committee is chaired by **retired Delhi HC Judge Justice Asha Menon**.
Who is Akkai Padmashali and why is her appointment historic?
**Akkai Padmashali** is a renowned transgender activist from Karnataka and founder of the organisation **Ondede**. Her appointment to the Supreme Court's transgender rights committee marks the **first time a transgender person** has been included in an apex court-appointed panel. She is also the first transgender person to receive a state literary award in Karnataka.
Who chairs India's Supreme Court committee on transgender rights?
The **Supreme Court's committee on transgender rights** is chaired by **retired Delhi High Court Judge Justice Asha Menon**. Transgender activist **Akkai Padmashali** from Karnataka was appointed as a member — the first transgender person in any apex court-appointed panel.
What is the Equal Opportunity Policy that the Supreme Court committee aims to formulate?
The **Equal Opportunity Policy** is a framework that the Supreme Court's special committee — chaired by Justice Asha Menon — aims to formulate to protect transgender rights and ensure equal opportunities in employment, education, and public life for transgender persons in India.
What organization did Akkai Padmashali found and what recognition has she received?
**Akkai Padmashali** founded the organization **Ondede** in Karnataka, which works for the rights of gender minorities. She was the **first transgender person to receive a state literary award in Karnataka** and was appointed to the Supreme Court's transgender rights committee in October 2025.
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