S. Swapna
S Swapna, is the first transgender person to take the TNPSC recruitment exam for public service employees in the Tamil Nadu state.[1]
S. Swapna | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | Indian |
Other names | Swapna |
Education | B.A. (Tamil) |
Background
Swapna, born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu applied for the TNPSC Group IV Exam in 2012, but the board refused her application because of her transgender gender identity. As a result of this decision, Swapna carried out a protest in front of Madurai District Collectorate along with Gopi Shankar Madurai on 7 October 2013 demanding reservation and to permit alternate genders to appear for examinations conducted by TNPSC, UPSC, SSC and Bank Exams. She later filed a petition at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court to allow transgender women to take TNPSC exams as female candidates.[2] In 2013 the appeal was successful and she was allowed to take the exam as female candidate, she is the first transgender woman to take this exam.[3][4]
Challenging TNPSC
Swapna had sought a direction for canceling the main written exams conducted on 29, 30 and 31 July 2016, for Group-I services. The Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission on 3 November 2017 to produce the entire file relating to the selection of Group-I officers before it on 8 November. The court had earlier directed the Commissioner of Police to conduct an investigation into alleged malpractices in TNPSC exams based on complaints and submit a detailed report.[5]
References
- "Meet Swapna, the first transgender to take civil services examination". 2 December 2013.
- "Transgenders protest demanding name change in certificates". The Times of India. 29 April 2014.
- Vandhana, M. (14 May 2013). "'No equality under law'" – via www.thehindu.com.
- "Transgenders stage protest at collectorate". The Times of India.
- "HC direction to TNPSC on alleged irregularities in exams". Press Trust of India.