Assam Grants OBC/SEBC Status to Transgender Community and Reserves 50% Supervisor Posts for Anganwadi Workers.
National
On 22 June 2025, the Assam government approved two transformative policies: granting OBC/SEBC status to local transgender persons and reserving 50% supervisor posts in the Women & Child Development Department for experienced Anganwadi workers.
- The cabinet resolved to officially include transgender individuals as part of the Other/Socially & Educationally Backward Classes (OBC/SEBC), in alignment with the Supreme Court’s NALSA verdict. Only those who are permanent residents of Assam will receive identity cards after verification by District Commissioners.
- Meanwhile, the government raised the reservation quota for supervisor-level positions in Anganwadi centres from the previous 25% to 50%, exclusively for workers with at least 10 years of service. The remaining positions will be filled through standard state-level recruitment channels.
- These reforms coincide with the launch of the Shradhanjali scheme, aimed at providing dignified repatriation of deceased low-income migrants from other states, to start from 1 October 2025 under the Assam Police Special Branch.
Main Point :- (i) Other simultaneous cabinet approvals included: establishment of the Rabha Development Council; designation of Urpad Beel (1,256 ha) and Hasila Beel (245 ha) as proposed reserve forests; a ₹900 crore 900 MW pumped storage project in West Karbi Anglong by Hinduja Renewables; and a ₹3,000 crore Assam Industrial & Green Growth Fund seeded with ₹500 crore.
(ii) The decision to grant OBC status to transgender persons is based on recommendations of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) and the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
(iii) This Act ensures identity, equal opportunity, and protection from discrimination for transgender individuals. Under its mandate, all state governments are required to constitute a Transgender Welfare Board, which the Assam government is expected to formally notify soon.
About Assam
Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor: Lakshman Acharya
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