Job quota for transgenders in Karnataka police

Karnataka announced “third gender” reservations in police recruitment, possibly the first state to do so. State home minister Araga Jnanendra said the process of hiring 3,484 constables had started and 79 of these had been reserved for the “male third gender” - a queer expression that baffled many till officials clarified that it should be taken to mean as “transgender.” “We have a quota for transgenders and will fill the posts accordingly,” an officer said. The minimum qualification is a second PUC pass certificate, or Class XII pass. The deadline to submit forms online is October 31. Transgender activists welcomed the move but said it may not benefit many in the community who are illiterate or school dropouts. Of the 3,484 posts, 420 have been reserved for Kalyana Karnataka candidates, 11 of them for transgenders.