Bihar cabinet has given nod to recognise eunuchs and transgenders as “the third gender” in view of the landmark Supreme Court judgment in this connection in April this year. While eunuchs, even those coming from upper castes, will be treated as OBC annexure II (popularly called Extremely Backward Classes or Most Backward Classes) and get reservation benefits. Brajesh Mehrotra, Bihar cabinet secretariat department Principal Secretary, said the nod to “the third gender” was given on Tuesday evening on a proposal in this regard from the general administration department. He said eunuchs and transgenders from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes will remain in the same castes.
