Breaking barriers: Hyderabad IRS officer gets Indian Government’s nod for gender and name change

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M Anusuya, currently serving as Joint Commissioner in the office of the Chief Commissioner, Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal at Telangana’s capital Hyderabad, will now be officially recognised as Mr M Anukathir Surya. Surya’s gender will also be changed from female to male

In a groundbreaking decision, the Indian central government has approved a Hyderabad-based Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer’s request to change name and gender. 

M Anusuya, currently serving as Joint Commissioner in the office of the Chief Commissioner, Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal at Telangana’s capital Hyderabad, will now be officially recognised as Mr M Anukathir Surya. Surya’s gender will also be changed from female to male.

The office order, signed by the Under Secretary of the Department of Revenue (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs), Ministry of Finance, confirmed that the officer’s request for a name and gender change has been accepted. The statement read that Anusuya will “henceforth be recognised as Mr. M Anukathir Surya in all official records.”

In a first for Indian civil services, an #IRS officer, posted as joint commissioner at #Hyderabad, has been granted permission by ministry of finance, to change both name & gender, from Ms M.Anusuya to Mr M. Anukathir Surya, and this will be the reference in all official records pic.twitter.com/bvDLHNAuJs

— Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) July 10, 2024

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Pioneering moves and Hyderabad

Hyderabad has consistently set precedents in recognising and supporting gender diversity. 

Previously, in June 2015, a BA LLB law student from NALSAR (National Academy of Legal Studies and Research) University requested that their gender not be identified in the graduation certificate. The Hyderabad-based university agreed, and allowed the student to use the honorific prefix ‘Mx’ instead of ‘Ms,’ marking a significant step towards recognising gender fluidity in India.

Several years later, in March 2022, NALSAR University designated a hostel floor as an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students, further promoting a supportive environment. 

The progressive steps, as per the Indian Express, continued last year when Dr Ruth Paul John became the first transgender doctor to pursue post-graduation in the country. After securing a position in the MD Emergency Medicine programme at ESI Hospital, Hyderabad, Dr Ruth, supported by Osmania General Hospital and voluntary organisations, raised funds to enroll in the programme.

In another landmark move, the Telangana Government, in July 2023, established the first transgender clinic at Osmania General Hospital, where doctors underwent sensitisation training to better serve the transgender community. 

Building on these advancements, the University of Hyderabad has even announced a transgender policy set to start in the 2024-25 academic year. With this, it will become the second university in India after Delhi University to implement such a policy.

(With inputs from agencies)

Moohita Kaur Garg

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” — Albus Dumbledore (J. K

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