Police recruitment: Transpersons to appear for physical tests under third gender option
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FOR THE first time in its history, the Maharashtra Police will on Thursday conduct physical tests of transpersons — who have applied for police recruitment — after the state government issued an order on Tuesday outlining the criterion for physical test of transpersons. For some transpersons, who had in the past applied under females to be eventually disqualified, this will be the first time they will apply as transpersons.
The physical tests will take place over the next three days. At three places – Solapur, Chandrapur and Satara — the physical tests will be conducted on Thursday. As per the government order issued on Tuesday, transpersons identifying as men will have to compete in the criterion for men. They will have to participate in a 1600-metre run, 100-metre run with shot put of 7.5 kg, and will be graded on 100 marks. Those identifying as women will have to compete in the criterion for women. They will have to participate in a 800-metre run and 100-metre run with shot put of 4.5 kg, said an official.
While their heights will be measured, those applying under the third gender will not need to give chest measurement irrespective of how they identify. An official said that in some districts, only one transperson will be participating in the physical test. The highest number of transpersons have applied for posts under the Mumbai Police Commissionerate, with 20 persons applying under the third gender.
For the 18,331 posts of police constables and driver police constables across the state, a total of 18 lakh applications were received last year. After the intervention of the Bombay High Court in the issue, police also received 73 applications from transpersons applying under the third gender category.
Nandini Panchal, who will be appearing for her test in Solapur on Thursday, told The Indian Express, “A few years ago, when there was no option of third gender for transpersons, I had applied under the female category, only to be disqualified. This is the first time I am applying as a transperson, which is my true identity.” “In order to clear the physical tests, I have been practising since the past two months. I am hopeful that I will qualify,” added Panchal.
Arya Pujari, who had filed the legal petition that opened the door for the trans community to apply for police recruitment, will also be appearing for her physical test on Thursday. She said, “I am glad that all my efforts have borne fruit as I will finally be taking the physical test on Thursday for police recruitment in Satara. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only trans person appearing in my district. I will give it my best shot.”
While the physical tests of male and female applicants have been completed in districts, in commissionerates like Mumbai, where the physical tests for men and women are still ongoing, transpersons will take their physical exams on the last day, said a police officer. While transpersons have also petitioned the court for reservation, an officer said that even if the court rules in their favour, it will not be applicable for the ongoing recruitment as the advertisement was issued last year.
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