AN ANALYSIS OF LEGAL ACCESS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN TRANSGENDER RIGHTS IN INDIA

AUTHOR – MEGHA ROUTH, STUDENT AT AMITY UNIVERSITY UTTARPRADESH NOIDA

BEST CITATION – MEGHA ROUTH, AN ANALYSIS OF LEGAL ACCESS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN TRANSGENDER RIGHTS IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (4) OF 2026, PG. 219-224, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

The recognition of transgender rights in India marks a significant transformation in constitutional jurisprudence and human rights discourse. Historically marginalized and socially excluded, transgender persons have faced systemic discrimination in legal recognition, access to justice, and economic opportunities. The landmark judgment in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (2014) laid the foundation for recognizing transgender persons as the “third gender” and affirmed their fundamental rights. Subsequently, the enactment of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 aimed to institutionalize these rights. However, challenges persist in translating legal recognition into substantive equality. This research article critically examines the dimensions of legal access, social justice, and economic empowerment of transgender persons in India, highlighting gaps in implementation and suggesting reforms for a more inclusive legal framework.

Keywords: Transgender Rights in India,Constitutional Jurisprudence,Legal Recognition of Third Gender,Access to Justice,Social Justice,Economic Empowerment,Anti-Discrimination Law,Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019