Empowering the Transgender Community: Alliance India Initiates Transgender ID Card Registration Drive

Arya Vatsa 17 May, 2023

New Delhi, 11th May 2023 — Alliance India, a leading development organisation, organised a transformative camp aimed at empowering the transgender community by facilitating their registration on the National Transgender Portal.

According to the 2011 Census, the transgender population was reported to be around 5 lakh. However, the actual numbers are believed to be 5-6 times higher than this figure. In 2020, the Government of India introduced a dedicated portal aimed at facilitating the acquisition of an ID card based on an individual’s self perceived gender identity. This ID card grants transgender persons access to various welfare schemes, including skills training, scholarships, shelter homes, and insurance benefits. Despite its launch, the number of individuals issued these cards remains significantly low, with only approximately 14,000 cards issued thus far. Consequently, there has been a significant underutilization of government funds allocated for transgender welfare. One of the primary reasons for this low registration on the portal is the limited digital literacy and accessibility among the target group.

Alliance India aims to enhance its efforts and mobilise transgender individuals across the country through its extensive network of partner organisations. The objective is not only to encourage trans persons to register on the portal but also to facilitate their interaction with government agencies for the successful issuance of transgender ID cards. This will be accomplished by organising “SMILE CAMPS” or TG-ID Card Registration Drives nationwide. The primary aim of these camps is to ensure that every eligible trans person in India obtains a transgender ID card within the next 18 to 24 months.

The first registration camp was held today on 11th May 2023 at the Alliance India office in New Delhi, where the transgender persons had come to register themselves on SMILE Portal. Alliance India team and Ram Kali, representative from Basera Samajik Sansthan, community based partner organisation provided invaluable insights into the benefits of obtaining a transgender identity card and certificate.

The camp was attended by more than 80 individuals from the transgender community, each carrying a government approved identification document.

A designated individual was available to provide assistance during the notary process, which is a crucial component of the registration procedure for transgender ID cards.

The participants received guidance and support from Alliance India to complete their registration on the National Transgender Portal—an initiative by the government to ensure inclusivity and promote the rights of transgender individuals.

Mr Rajiv Dua, Chief Executive of Alliance India, expressed enthusiasm and support for this empowering workshop, stating, “At Alliance India, we firmly believe in creating an inclusive society that values and respects the rights of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. The National Transgender Portal registration camp is a significant step towards empowering the transgender community, enabling them to access essential benefits and opportunities. We are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative and look forward to supporting the community throughout their registration process.