CBIC recognizes Hyderabad IRS officer’s gender change from Anusuya to Anukathir Surya
HYDERABAD: In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Finance allows a senior IRS officer to officially change name and gender. M Anusuya, an IRS officer from the 2013 batch, now identifies as M Anukathir Surya. The officer, serving as Joint Commissioner in the Office of the Chief Commissioner in Hyderabad, sought to update his name and gender in official records. The Ministry of Finance approved his request, recognizing him as Mr. M Anukathir Surya in all documents.
In an official order, The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), stated “The request of Ms. M Anusuya has been considered. Henceforth, the officer will be recognized as ‘Mr. M Anukathir Surya’ in all official records,” confirming the changes in name and gender. This marks the first instance in Indian civil services where an officer has transitioned and updated their gender in official records.
Historic decision in Indian Civil Services
Mr. Surya continues his role as Joint Commissioner, with all official records reflecting his new identity. His career began as an Assistant Commissioner in Chennai in December 2013, followed by a promotion to Deputy Commissioner in 2018. He took on his current posting in Hyderabad last year. Mr. Surya completed his engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology in Chennai. Surya did his PG Diploma in Cyber Law and Cyber Forensics in National Law Institute University in Bhopal.
This transition of name and gender follows the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on April 15, 2014, in the NALSA case. This judgement recognised gender identity as a personal choice. The judgment affirmed that individuals have the right to choose their gender identity, regardless of whether they undergo sex reassignment surgery. In 2015, Aishwarya Rituparna Pradhan, a male Odisha commercial tax officer, changed her gender to female and was officially recognized by the Odisha Financial Services.
An #IRS officer, acting as joint commissioner in #Hyderabad, gets permission by ministry of finance, to change both name & gender, from Ms M.Anusuya to Mr M. Anukathir Surya. pic.twitter.com/R4rNLUz311
— Avinash Pujari (@Avinashpujari02) July 10, 2024
Mr. Surya’s decision sets a significant precedent in the Indian civil services, highlighting the evolving understanding and acceptance of gender identity. The Ministry of Finance’s approval of his request underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting personal identity in professional spheres.
This decision is not just a personal milestone fo Mr Surya. It is a step forward in promoting inclusivity and acceptance within the civil services. His journey reflects the broader societal shift towards understanding and respecting diverse gender identities. As Mr. Surya continues his duties as Joint Commissioner, his updated identity in official records marks a progressive move for Indian bureaucracy.
