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India’s 2024 budget highlights gaps in LGBTQ+ welfare

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Delhi, India
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Despite improvements in some areas, the per capita spending on the transgender community remains alarmingly low. This has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to their rights.

In a country with a population of 1.4 billion people and counting – where diversity and inclusion are often celebrated – the 2024 Union Budget of India has spotlighted a glaring disparity in the allocation of funds for the transgender community.

Despite offering a nominal increase in funding for trans welfare programmes, a deeper look at the per capita spending paints an alarming picture.

The Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons scheme, nestled under the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) programme, will see its allocation rise from Rs. 52.91 crores in 2024 to Rs. 68.46 crores in 2025.

At first glance, this 29 per cent increase seems positive, but when broken down, it translates to a mere Rs. 1,400 per trans person annually.

This figure has been calculated using the 2011 Census, which states there are approximately 490,000 transgender people in India (though the total is expected to be far higher, at around 12.million).

With this in mind, the conservative amount of Rs. 1,400 per trans person annually is not only inadequate, but it’s nowhere near enough to address the multifaceted challenges the community faces.

While the SMILE programme purportedly aims to fund shelters, provide scholarships, and support the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP), in reality, these objectives are not being met.

This is according to reports which show that most shelters (known in India as Garima Grehs) have been forced to shut down for financial reasons.

A safe space for transgender individuals – many of whom are facing rejection from their own families and society at large – the closure of these facilities leaves an already vulnerable community even more at risk of falling victim to homelessness or exploitation.

Similarly, the NCTP, which was established to advise the government on policies and legislation related to trans rights, is reportedly barely functional.

This is both hindering the development of effective strategies to bolster equality for all and limiting the presence of trans voices in decision-making processes.

Considering that India’s transgender population is actually estimated to total around 12 million, the per capita allocation amounts to Rs. 56 per trans person annually.

This barely covers a day’s needs and does nothing to aid in confronting the numerous issues that the community faces.

In India, transgender individuals are regularly denied access to education, healthcare, employment, and housing.

They also experience discrimination, violence, and social ostracism on a daily basis, which the budget fails to recognise as something that should be a priority.

And, adding insult to injury, it mentions LGBTQ+ rights just once, further highlighting the peripheral treatment of issues that demand urgent attention.

Coupled with the meager financial commitment that the budget has made, this sends a disheartening message to a community that has long fought for recognition and equal rights.

The disparity between this and the governments claims that it supports trans rights has raised concerns about the effectiveness of India’s approach to LGBTQ+ welfare.

Though legislative steps like the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 have been taken, the absence of sufficient funding undermines their potential impact.

To rectify this, a more thorough count of the transgender population is crucial as it will ensure that welfare schemes are based on realistic figures and that the budget allocation matches the community’s genuine needs.

From there, it will be imperative to guarantee that allocated funds are fully and efficiently utilised, with transparent monitoring mechanisms in place to make this happen.

Designing comprehensive programmes that focus on skill development, employment opportunities, and the integration of trans people in society will also be necessary, as will propping up statutory bodies like the NCTP so that they have the resources and authority to successfully advocate for trans rights.

The current budget allocation of Rs. 56 per transgender person is not just a number; it’s a reflection of the immense gap between policy pledges and practical support.

It underscores the essentiality of a more inclusive and empathetic approach to governance that truly recognises and addresses the needs of all citizens, regardless of their gender identity.

Writer Delhi, India

Sahil (they/them) is a remote writer for Thred and an economics undergraduate in India. Their diverse cultural background informs their writing and research on gender minorities, climate disparity, and intersectional social issues. When not delving into complex societal challenges, Sahil grapples with their ever-expanding library of unread books – a collection that grows faster than their ability to tackle it.

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