Gender Change in Paramilitary Forces: A Dilemma for ITBP

The ITBP has been advised against allowing gender change surgeries for troopers due to potential psychological impacts. Official sources reveal that a woman's request led to consultations with the Ministry of Home Affairs and CAPFs medical wing, resulting in a directive against permitting such procedures within the force.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has been instructed not to accommodate requests from troopers seeking gender change operations. This decision stems from the Central Armed Police Forces' (CAPFs) medical wing's view that such changes may negatively impact the psychological well-being of personnel.

An order, issued following a female trooper's request, highlights that the ITBP consulted the Ministry of Home Affairs due to the absence of guidelines on gender change in the central service conduct rules or the ITBP Act. The Ministry, with input from the Department of Personnel and Training, recommended against the procedure.

CAPFs' medical establishment advised that gender change could disrupt force dynamics, prompting the ITBP to inform field units to reference this stance in similar future cases. While some precedents exist, such as a past approval by the CISF, the ITBP remains unprepared to support such transitions, officials noted.