The CISF, the paramilitary force that guards over 60 airports in the country and the Delhi metro, has sought more time to reply to the government on whether transgenders can be recruited as its combat officers, officials said on Saturday.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) had recently asked for comments on the issue from the five paramilitary or Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) so that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) can be intimated whether or not to include the transgender category in the soon-to-be published notification for this year’s CAPFs assistant commandants (ACs) exams.

The AC is the entry-level officer rank in the five CAPFs - Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

BSF, ITBP, SSB and CRPF have sent their comments to the ministry, stating that they are ready to take transgenders as officers as they follow the principle of gender neutrality. These forces have also asked their training establishments to obtain their own copies of a recently-enacted legislation for transgenders and the related DoPT guidelines for a better understanding of the new law, the officials said.

The CISF has said it requires more time to submit its response to the home ministry as it wants to discuss the issue in detail within the organisation, especially with its field commanders.

Seeking more time for discussion, however, does not mean that the CISF is against the move. The force is committed to providing equal opportunities to everyone, irrespective of their gender an official said.Read more via TOI