India tightens transgender rights rules, requiring government approval for identity recognition

India's government has significantly restricted transgender protections by requiring government approval for people to legally identify as transgender and access gender-affirming medical care, reversing course from 2019 legislation that had expanded rights. The policy change has sparked protests in Delhi and major cities, with LGBTQ+ advocates warning it will marginalize millions and discourage people from seeking support. The move represents a major reversal on human rights in the world's most populous democracy and signals growing pressure on transgender rights globally, a concern for American LGBTQ+ advocacy groups tracking international trends. Implementation details and legal challenges to the new requirements are expected to unfold in coming weeks.