India strips trans community of self-identification rights in major policy shift

India's government has eliminated legal self-identification rights for transgender individuals, reportedly reversing protections that allowed trans people to self-declare their gender identity. The policy change affects millions of trans Indians who now face renewed barriers to official documentation, healthcare access, and social recognition. This represents a significant rollback of LGBTQ+ rights in the world's largest democracy and signals broader concerns about minority protections in India. The move aligns with increased restrictions on gender-affirming care and recognition across multiple Indian states.