Historical Evolution of Transgender Participation in Sports: Global and Indian Perspectives

Sports are a mirror of society. For many years, sports accepted only two categories – male and female. This created barriers for transgender people, who were often excluded. Slowly, athletes and courts started challenging these rules. Globally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other bodies made new policies to include transgender players. In India, the Supreme Court’s 2014 judgment (NALSA case) gave legal identity to transgender people, opening doors for participation in different fields, including sports. This paper explains the history of transgender participation in sports, the challenges faced, and the progress made at both global and Indian levels