Clinical psychology soc decries removal of self-identification

The Clinical Psychology Society of India (CPSI) has expressed concern over key provisions in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, which received Presidential assent on 31 March.

- Manoj Ramakrishnan

In its statement issued on Wednesday, the CPSI - an organisation representing over 1,000 mental health experts nationwide - criticised the removal of the right to self-identification and what it described as the arbitrary introduction of recent amendments that redefine gender classification. The body argued that such provisions run contrary to the landmark NALSA v Union of India (2014) judgment, which recognised the right to self-identify one’s gender as a fundamental aspect of dignity, autonomy, and inclusion.