Nueva Delhi: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) rejected the request of a female staff to undergo a gender change procedure, citing the opinion of the forces of the Central Armed Police Medical Wing that this can have a “Bad impact on the pattern of psychology and behavior of strength personnel.”
Previously, ITBP requested the orientation of the Ministry of Interior after the employee requested, since there are no guidelines on gender change in ITBP Law, according to PTI sources citing.
The MHA, after reviewing the matter with the Personnel and Training Department, advised the ITBP to seek an opinion of the CAPF medical management and, later, make a policy decision.
Capfs’s medical establishment advised ITBP to allow gender change could negatively affect psychological well -being and personnel behavior patterns. They pointed out that physical requirements differ between male and female recruits, which would be problematic after the transition.
The CAPF wrote to the ITBP that indicated that “the general opinion is that gender change cannot entertain/allow for force, since it will have a bad impact on the pattern of psychology and behavior of the force personnel,” they said.
“In addition, the required physical parameters are different for men and women for strength registration. Therefore, these parameters will not be fulfilled after sex change,” said the medical wing.
According to these findings, ITBP has informed all field units to handle future gender change requests accordingly.
Security officials recognize that these issues require additional consideration, noting that CAPFs such as ITBP are currently not equipped to address such situations.
The existing recruitment criteria specify different physical and mental requirements for male and female staff, designed to meet current operational requirements and challenges.
A senior CAPF official said that allowing physical changes after recruitment would require comprehensive policy development and thorough discussion.
Previously, the CISF had granted approval for a female staff to be recognized as a male jawan after gender reassignment surgery.