Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: In a major step toward inclusive governance, the Odisha government has introduced a ‘Third Gender’ category in the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination-2025 application form.
The decision follows directives issued by the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to ensure equal opportunities for transgender aspirants. Acting on these directions, the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has incorporated the provision in its revised notification for the OCS-2025 examination.
To facilitate wider participation under the updated format, the registration and application deadlines have been extended. Candidates who have legally changed their names after being officially recognised as third gender persons will be required to submit supporting documents during the application process.
The move comes in response to a petition filed by transgender aspirant Soni Sil, who alleged discrimination due to the absence of a suitable gender option in the examination form.
Earlier, the OHRC, led by Justice Satrughna Pujahari, had directed the state to introduce a separate gender category, citing the Supreme Court’s 2014 landmark judgment and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and recommending 1% job reservation for transgender candidates.
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