Supreme Court Expands Advisory Committee on Transgender Rights; Continues Existing Member and Appoints Additional Representative

Case Name: Jane Kaushik v. Union of India & Ors.
Citation: 2026 INSC 129; Miscellaneous Application No. 196 of 2026 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1405 of 2023
Date of Judgment/Order: 06 February 2026
Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon’ble Mr. Justice R. Mahadevan

Held: The Supreme Court held that in order to ensure effective functioning and continued expertise within the Advisory Committee constituted in its earlier judgment dated 17 October 2025 concerning transgender rights, it was appropriate both to retain Ms. Nithya Rajshekhar as a member of the Committee and to appoint Ms. Aparna Mehrotra, Senior Associate, Centre for Law and Policy Research, as an additional member representing the Centre. The Court clarified that the cessation of Ms. Nithya Rajshekhar’s association with the Centre would not affect her continuation on the Advisory Committee, considering her extensive work in the field of transgender rights.

Summary: In a Miscellaneous Application filed by the learned Amicus Curiae, Ms. Jayna Kothari, a prayer was made to include Ms. Aparna Mehrotra, Senior Associate at the Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR), as a member of the Advisory Committee constituted by the Supreme Court in its judgment dated 17 October 2025 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1405 of 2023. The Court noted that the earlier constitution of the Advisory Committee had included Ms. Nithya Rajshekhar as a representative of CLPR. It was brought to the Court’s notice that Ms. Nithya Rajshekhar was no longer associated with the Centre. Taking into account her extensive contribution to transgender rights scholarship and advocacy, the Court deemed it appropriate to continue her as a member. Simultaneously, to ensure representation of the Centre and continuity of its institutional expertise, the Court considered it necessary to appoint Ms. Aparna Mehrotra as an additional member.

Decision: The Supreme Court disposed of the Miscellaneous Application by directing that Ms. Nithya Rajshekhar shall continue as a member of the Advisory Committee and by appointing Ms. Aparna Mehrotra, Senior Associate, Centre for Law and Policy Research, as an additional member representing the Centre. With these directions, the application stood disposed of.