September 10, 2025
NEW DELHI – Many transgender persons in Jharkhand still hesitate to come forward and disclose their identity. This fear has kept them outside the reach of welfare schemes, denying them pensions, health coverage, housing support, and protection against discrimination.
The state government is now taking steps to address these gaps. In a move aligned with national efforts to strengthen transgender welfare, Jharkhand has decided to conduct a statewide survey and form support structures at the district level. The initiative mirrors similar attempts in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where targeted surveys and community outreach have been used to frame welfare policies.
The decision came at a meeting of the Jharkhand Transgender Welfare Board chaired by Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari. The board resolved to set up a Transgender Support Unit that will look into community issues, recommend solutions, and monitor implementation of welfare measures. Officials said this would help ensure accountability and prevent schemes from staying only on paper.
At the same time, officials acknowledged the challenge that many trans persons avoid revealing their identity, which in turn makes it difficult to prepare identity cards, extend reservation benefits, or link them with schemes like Ayushman Bharat. The Chief Secretary directed deputy commissioners to form district-level committees quickly to address such hurdles at the ground level.
The government has underlined that the survey will form the basis for expanding welfare delivery. Updated information will allow funds and facilities to be planned in line with the community’s real needs. Once the data is available, the administration expects to link trans persons more effectively with schemes already designed for them.
According to the 2011 Census, Jharkhand had 13,463 transgender persons out of nearly 4.9 lakh across India. Officials admitted that fresh data is overdue, and that the upcoming survey will help identify the present numbers and requirements district by district.