In a landmark judgment on transgender rights, the Manipur High Court directed state educational authorities to issue fresh academic certificates reflecting the new name and gender identity of transwoman petitioner, Dr. Beoncy Laishram.

The court ordered that her certificates be reissued as “female” under the name “Beoncy Laishram,” replacing the original entries of “male” and “Boboi Laishram.”

Beoncy, a resident of Kwakwa in Imphal West, made history in 2018 when she became the first medical doctor from the transgender community in the entire Northeast region.

The court’s directive is being hailed as a significant step toward affirming the rights and dignity of the trans community in Manipur.