Tamil Nadu Announces Free One-Time Change for Trans Persons Educational Documents!
The Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department has announced a policy allowing trans individuals to change their name, gender, and photograph on degree and diploma certificates free of charge. This decision, effective immediately, follows a request from Arun Karthick, a trans man, who advocated for fee exemption after facing challenges with document updates himself.
Previously, universities and colleges in Tamil Nadu charged fees for such changes. Arun’s appeal led the government to review and accept his proposal. The department’s notification instructs all universities, affiliated institutions, and polytechnic colleges to implement this change without any cost.
Arun, a member of the Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Board, shared his personal struggle, noting that he had to wait nearly four years to update his credentials without fees. He highlighted the significant financial burden faced by others, citing a case where a friend paid Rs 28,000 for document changes.
This new directive aims to alleviate financial barriers for trans persons seeking to update their educational credentials.
