The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to modify its order from 2014, in which it granted transgender people the status of a third gender. The top court clarified that only transgender persons made up the third gender, not gays, lesbians or bisexuals, PTI reported. The apex court was hearing a petition filed by the Centre, challenging the definition of ‘transgender’.

In a landmark judgement in 2014, the Supreme Court recognised transgender people as the third gender. “It is the right of every human being to choose their gender,” it had said, granting rights to those who identify themselves as neither male nor female. The verdict, which does not apply to gays, lesbians or bisexuals, directed central and state governments to add a third gender column in all identity documents such as birth certificates, passports and driver’s licenses.