Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: In a significant step towards inclusivity, the Odisha government has introduced a ‘Third Gender’ category in the application form for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination-2025.

The move follows directives from the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and is aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for transgender candidates. The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has incorporated the new provision in its revised notification for the OCS-2025 examination.

To facilitate participation under the updated format, authorities have extended the registration and application deadlines for eligible candidates. Applicants who have legally changed their names after being officially recognised as third gender persons are required to submit supporting documents during the application process.

The development comes in response to a petition filed by transgender aspirant Soni Sil, who alleged discrimination due to the absence of a suitable gender option in the OCS form.

Acting on the petition, the OHRC, led by Justice Satrughna Pujahari, directed the government to introduce a separate gender category, citing the Supreme Court’s 2014 landmark judgment and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

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