The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought clarification from the Central Government regarding the impact of the recently enacted Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 on gender-affirming medical treatments, including hormone therapy.

The issue arose after two transgender persons approached the Court, alleging that a hospital had discontinued their hormone therapy citing the amended legislation. Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Arundhati Katju submitted that the cessation of treatment has serious implications, stating that the petitioners’ “physical and emotional health rests on this,” and the treatment had been stopped solely due to the Amendment.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas sought a response from Additional Solicitor General P. Sreekumar on whether such treatments are prohibited under the new law. During the hearing, the Court observed that individuals already undergoing hormone therapy could be adversely affected by the changes. In response, the ASG submitted that the issue may be a practical one arising from implementation, rather than a direct consequence of the provision.

The Court has directed the ASG to obtain instructions from the Central Government on the matter, including the rationale behind the amendments. The Matter is listed for April 10, 2026.