DEIB India Updates - October '25 Edition

Discover key legal insights and societal inclusion steps in DEI India Updates October 2025 Edition.

1. Supreme Court Awards Compensation To Transwoman Teacher; Constitutes Committee On Transgender Rights

   
   

   The Supreme Court has directed compensation to a transwoman teacher who was terminated by two private schools on account of her gender identity. The Court held that both the institutions and the concerned States failed to comply with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the 2020 Rules, amounting to “omissive discrimination”. It ordered the second school to pay ₹50,000, with the Union of India, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat also directed to pay ₹50,000 each. The Court also constituted a Committee headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon to frame an equal opportunity policy and recommend reforms for transgender rights implementation. Read the Order here.
   

2. Kerala High Court directs BCI to approve two additional seats for transgender students in all law colleges

   
   

   In Esai Clara v State of Kerala, the Kerala High Court directed the Bar Council of India to approve the State government’s proposal to create two additional seats for transgender students in every law college in Kerala within ten days. The petitioner, a transgender woman who cleared KLEE 2025, was denied admission as no separate category or seat existed for transgender candidates. The Court observed that the matter could not be delayed because the BCI General Council was not scheduled to meet soon. The interim order holds that the request dated 06 August 2025 must be approved without waiting for further internal processes of BCI.

   
   

3. SC Clarifies Gender-Neutral JAG Directions Will Apply Prospectively Only

   
   

   The Supreme Court has clarified that its judgment in Arshnoor Kaur v. Union of India directing gender-neutral appointments to the JAG branch of the Army will operate prospectively and cannot be applied to recruitment processes initiated prior to that ruling. The petitioner, Seerat Kaur, had sought appointment in the 35th recruitment cycle (October 2025), arguing that she ranked 6th overall across male and female candidates and should therefore be selected under the gender-neutral framework. The Bench held that the August 11 judgment used the term “henceforth”, and therefore cannot apply retrospectively. As an exceptional interim arrangement, she may continue training, but no precedent is created.

   
   

4. SBI Sets Target: 30% Women Workforce By 2030, Rolls Out Women-Centric HR & Leadership Initiatives

   
   

   State Bank of India has announced a structured diversity roadmap aimed at increasing women’s representation in its workforce to 30% within five years. Currently, women constitute 27% of the overall workforce and 33% of frontline staff. The bank is implementing targeted initiatives including creche allowance, a Family Connect Programme, return-to-work training post maternity or illness, and the “Empower Her” leadership development programme. SBI has also introduced women’s health interventions such as breast and cervical cancer screenings and vaccination drives. With over 340 all-women branches already in operation, the bank stated that the strategy is designed to strengthen inclusion across roles, grades, and regions.

   
   

5. Karnataka Introduces 12 Paid Menstrual Leave Days

   
   

   The Karnataka government has approved 12 paid menstrual leave days annually for women employees; reportedly the first policy in India to extend to both government and private sectors.  Earlier, states like Bihar offered two paid days per month since 1992 for government employees. Odisha introduced a one-day menstrual leave policy, and Kerala extended menstrual leave to female students in higher education and ITIs. These moves reflect growing recognition of menstruation as a health and productivity factor in workplaces and institutions.

   
   

6. SC Constitutes Committee To Develop Equal Opportunity & Healthcare Framework For Transgender Persons

   
   

   The Supreme Court has constituted a dedicated committee headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon to frame an equal opportunity framework and ensure inclusive medical care and protection for transgender and gender non-conforming persons. The Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan stated that institutions without internal policies must follow the Court-framed guidelines until a central policy is issued. The committee includes trans rights activists Grace Banu and Akai Padmashali, along with other experts and amicus Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari. The ruling was delivered in the case of a transwoman teacher who faced termination from two private schools due to her gender identity.

   
   

7. Karnataka HC Restrains Use Of Strip-Searches In State’s Transgender Survey; Participation Must Be Voluntary

   
   

   The Karnataka High Court has directed the State not to use any “strip and search” or invasive verification methods during its ongoing survey of transgender persons. Hearing a PIL by the Anita Humanitarian Foundation, the Division Bench stated that participation must be strictly voluntary, and all data collected must remain confidential. The petitioners argued the survey is contrary to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and violates constitutional guarantees of dignity and equality. The Court permitted the survey to continue subject to safeguards and directed the State to file an affidavit within three working days detailing measures for data confidentiality. Further hearing is scheduled for December 5.