The government of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has announced a major policy change to support its transgender population. The state’s flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative, known as the CM Yuva scheme, will now include transgender individuals as eligible participants.
The expanded program will offer a range of support, including vocational training, access to interest-free loans, housing assistance, healthcare benefits, and pensions. The state is also setting up 100 dedicated welfare centers across its districts to provide skill-building opportunities in areas such as tailoring, digital literacy, culinary work, and beauty services.
Each of Uttar Pradesh’s 75 districts is also expected to reserve two public sector job positions for transgender individuals. This marks a shift toward greater inclusion in employment and public life.
“These steps are about giving dignity and opportunity to those who have been marginalized,” said Asim Arun, the state’s Social Welfare Minister. He emphasized that the government aims to bring transgender individuals into the mainstream through economic empowerment and social support.
Transgender participants will also gain access to national welfare programs such as Ayushman Bharat for health coverage, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for housing, and other state-level subsidies and benefits. Officials say efforts are underway to carry out community surveys and awareness campaigns to ensure the program reaches those in need.
The CM Yuva scheme was first launched in 2018 to support young entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh. It provides interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh (about USD 6,000) for small business ventures. To date, more than 40,000 people have benefited from the program. The government has allocated ₹1,000 crore (approximately USD 120 million) for the scheme in the 2024–2025 budget.
With this new focus on transgender inclusion, the initiative aims to reduce economic inequality and promote broader participation in public life. Officials hope it will also set an example for other Indian states to follow.
This development comes amid a growing national conversation about the rights and recognition of transgender people in India, where legal protections have improved but access to social and economic opportunities remains limited.
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