16. National Council for Transgender Persons.—(1) The Central Government shall by notification
constitute a National Council for Transgender Persons to exercise the powers conferred on, and to
perform the functions assigned to it, under this Act.
(2) The National Council shall consist of—
(a) the Union Minister in-charge of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
Chairperson, ex officio;
(b) the Minister of State, in-charge of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the
Government, Vice-Chairperson, ex officio;
(c) Secretary to the Government of India in-charge of the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, Member, ex officio;
(d) one representative each from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs,
Housing and Urban Affairs, Minority Affairs, Human Resources Development, Rural Development,
Labour and Employment and Departments of Legal Affairs, Pensions and Pensioners Welfare and
National Institute for Transforming India Aayog, not below the rank of Joint Secretaries to the
Government of India, Members, ex officio;
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(e) one representative each from the National Human Rights Commission and National
Commission for Women, not below the rank of Joint Secretaries to the Government of India,
Members, ex officio;
(f) representatives of the State Governments and Union territories by rotation, one each from the
North, South, East, West and North-East regions, to be nominated by the Central Government,
Members, ex officio;
(g) five representatives of transgender community, by rotation, from the State Governments and
Union territories, one each from the North, South, East, West and North-East regions, to be
nominated by the Central Government, Members;
(h) five experts, to represent non-governmental organisations or associations, working for the
welfare of transgender persons, to be nominated by the Central Government, Members; and
(i) Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
dealing with the welfare of the transgender persons, Member Secretary, ex officio.
(3) A Member of National Council, other than ex officio member, shall hold office for a term of three
years from the date of his nomination.
17. Functions of Council.—The National Council shall perform the following functions, namely:—
(a) to advise the Central Government on the formulation of policies, programmes, legislation and
projects with respect to transgender persons;
(b) to monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes designed for achieving
equality and full participation of transgender persons;
(c) to review and coordinate the activities of all the departments of Government and other
Governmental and non-Governmental Organisations which are dealing with matters relating to
transgender persons;
(d) to redress the grievances of transgender persons; and
(e) to perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.