The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)

IRS officer gets Centre’s nod to change name, gender

A HYDERABAD- BASED Indian Revenue Service ( IRS) officer’s request to change her name and gender has been approved by the central government.

M Anusuya, currently posted as Joint Commission­er in the office of the Chief Commission­er, Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal at Hyderabad, had requested for a change of name to M Anukathir Surya, and gender from female to male.

An office order signed by the Under Secretary, Department of Revenue ( Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs), Ministry of Finance stated that Anusuya’s request has been accepted and the officer will “henceforth be recognised as Mr M Anukathir Surya in all official records”.

Hyderabad has set several precedents in this field. In June 2015, a BA LLB law student of NALSAR ( National Academy of Legal Studies and Research) University had requested the varsity that gender should not be identified in the graduate certificat­e. The university agreed to the student's request for an honorific prefix of ' Mx' instead of ' Ms'. The student said it was a small first step towards recognisin­g gender f l uidity i n the country.

Almost seven years later, in March 2022, the university designated a hostel floor as an inclusive space for accommodat­ing LGBTQ+ students.

Last year, after securing a position in the MD Emergency Medicine programme at ESI Hospital, Hyderabad, Dr Ruth Paul John became the first transgende­r doctor to pursue postgradua­tion in the country. Supported by Osmania General Hospital and voluntary organisati­ons, Dr Ruth raised funds to enrol in the programme.

Last July, the Telangana Government establishe­d the first transgende­r clinic in Osmania General Hospital, and doctors posted there underwent sensitisat­ion training.

And in February this year, the University of Hyderabad announced a transgende­r policy for the start of the 2024- 25 academic year, the second university after Delhi University to implement such a move.