Reaffirming Identity: Legal Challenges and Lived Experiences of Transgender Individuals in Assam

India has a well-established framework of fundamental rights embedded in its Constitution. The right to choose one’s gender identity is integral to living with dignity and, therefore, falls within the scope of the right to life under the Constitution. Changing one's name and gender legally is a significant concern for transgender individuals, and the process is often complex, leading to various challenges for the community. These issues not only affect the individuals involved but also have broader social and national implications.

This paper aims to explore the challenges faced by transgender people in the legal transition process, particularly in Assam, India. For the study, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to select participants. Twelve transgender individuals aged 18 and above from different districts of Assam were interviewed to gather data. The findings reveal the experiences of transgender individuals and provide insights into how they navigate the challenges of legally changing their name and gender on official documents, along with suggestions for addressing these issues.