❖ The Madras High Court has struck down a Government Order (GO) issued on April 6, 2015 regarding transgender reservation.

 ❖ It was providing vertical reservation to transgender persons in education and public employment by considering them under the Most Backward Classes (MBC) category.

❖ The government came up with another GO on December 22, 2017, clarifying that those who possessed SC/ST certificates would be considered under the respective caste categories.

❖ The 2017 GO said that only those transgender persons who did not possess SC/ST certificates would be considered under the MBC category.

❖ The court held that the order was manifestly arbitrary and violative of Articles 14,15,16,19 and 21 of the Constitution.

❖ It has directed the State government to provide horizontal reservation to the transgender community, across all caste groups.

❖ Karnataka had implemented the apex court’s verdict by providing 1% horizontal reservation to transgender persons across all caste groups.