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The types of adoption given below are only applicable to you if you decide to follow the non-religious law on adoption.1 If you follow the the Hindu adoption laws,2 there are no specific types of adoptions. These are the following categories of adoption procedures: Adoption by resident Indians (residing in India) Adoption of a childRead more

Declaring a child legally free for adoption allows such children to be put up for adoption under the non-religious law,1 which terminates the legal relationship that the child has with their biological parents.2  The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) takes the decision to declare a child free for adoption, after: it conducts inquiries, which includes: ARead more

Under the non-religious law on adoption,1 you cannot give up your child for adoption, but as a parent or a guardian you have the option to surrender your child.2 Surrendering means you give up your child for physical, emotional or social factors beyond your control.This would end your legal relationship with the child and you willRead more

To change your name, make an addition or delete a part of your name, you will have to follow the steps given below and make sure that it is published either in the State or Central Gazette. You can choose to publish it in the Central Gazette if you want to apply for any higherRead more

Adoption under Non-Religious Law Under the non-religious law on adoption,1 you2 must meet the following conditions to be considered as a prospective adoptive parent: Health  You must be physically fit i.e. you have no life threatening medical condition You must be financially sound, mentally and emotionally stable, and highly motivated to adopt a child forRead more

Adoption under Non-Religious Law Under the non-religious law on adoption,1 the following children can be adopted:  If the children given below are declared legally free for adoption by the Child Welfare Committee: Any orphan who is a child without biological parents, adoptive parents or a legal guardian2 Abandoned child who is a child  deserted by theirRead more

Adoption is1 the process through which a prospective adoptive parent(s) lawfully assumes the responsibility of a child, including all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that have already been given to the child. After the legal formalities of adoption are done, the child is permanently separated from their biological parents and is assumed to be the child2Read more

To change your name, make an addition or delete a part of your name, you will have to follow the steps given below and make sure that it is published either in the State or Central Gazette. You can choose to publish it in the Central Gazette if you want to apply for any higherRead more

Gender identity refers to an individual’s self-identification as a man, woman, transgender or other identified category, like intersex. When you face any trouble with officials or people who want you to prove the gender you identify with, you have the option of showing them the documents given below.  Option 1: Affidavit or Undertaking An affidavit/undertakingRead more

Ration Cards are helpful when you want to get essential goods such as rice, grains, etc. at a lower subsidised price from shops set up by the government. Ration Cards have been introduced as part of the Government’s Public Distribution System and are an important identity proof. They are issued to people depending on theirRead more

A Passport is an official document issued by the government that allows you to travel internationally.1 The Ministry of External Affairs issues Passports through the Central Passport Organisation (CPO) and you will be able to apply for a passport by approaching Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) inRead more

A Learner’s License1 is a temporary license which is valid for 6 months, which legally allows you to practice driving on Indian roads, as long as you are accompanied by an adult who holds a valid Driving License. 2 Please note that you must be 18 years old before you apply for a Driving License.Read more

A Driving License (DL) is an official document, issued in the form of a card, by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of each State, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,  which permits you to drive one or more types of vehicles, such as a motorcycle, car, etc. onRead more

A Voter ID Card, also known as the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is a photo identity card that is issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to all individuals who are eligible to vote.1 This card is commonly known by other names such as an election card, voter’s card, Voter ID, etc.  NewRead more

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is an identification proof mandatorily required to file taxes which is issued by the Income Tax Department. Details of your PAN Card are also asked by employers for salary transfers, TDS deductions, etc. and by banks while opening bank accounts. Initially, you will have to apply for a PAN Number. WhenRead more

Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number1, specific to each individual2, issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to the residents of India after satisfying a verification process based on demographic information and biometric information.3 You will be assigned an Aadhaar number on a card with your personal details such as name, date ofRead more

Identification documents play a major role in facilitating your rights such as the right to healthcare, education, etc. and are also important for day-to-day activities such as applying for a SIM Card or a bank account, etc. It is your right to get identification documents recognizing the gender you want to be associated with.  GendersRead more

The LGBTQ+ community includes multiple self-identified groups, and the term “LGBTQ” stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and “+” denotes the wide extent of the community which includes many sexual identities.   Courts have accepted that it is the right of any person to choose their gender if they do not identify with the sexRead more

LGBTQ+ persons may face harassment or discrimination by medical personnel like doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. For example, some hospitals may deny  treatment for a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) because of a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, i.e, if they are a gay, bisexual, etc. In such cases, a person can take appropriate actionRead more

Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on mental health issues which some readers may find disturbing. Not being a straight person/cisgendered is not grounds for being diagnosed with a mental disorder. This means merely being a LGBTQ+ person does not make someone mentally ill.1 However, when a person experience significant distress due to theRead more

Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on sexual health issues which some readers may find disturbing. A person may be at risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases (STI/STD) like gonorrhea, syphilis, AIDS, etc., if they are sexually active. The risk of contraction may be higher if a person fall into certain categories. For example,Read more

When a person goes for any surgery including GAT or corrective surgery, remember that it cannot be done without their written consent. The age of consent for medical procedures is 18 years1, and  consent given by a person of unsound mind or a child below 12 years is not valid. 2 No one including hospitals,Read more

Typically, those who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth may want to go through surgeries to align more strongly with their chosen gender. However, a person does not have to go through any surgeries to be given recognition with their self-identified gender. 1. In this regard, given below are twoRead more

LGBTQ+ persons might have healthcare needs that are specific and unique to their experiences. Some of the common healthcare issues are:  Mental health issues Sexual health issues Physical issues with respect to gender-altering surgeries There may also be a social bias present, which may make accessing adequate healthcare difficult. For example, a therapist may refuseRead more

If your Ration Card is damaged or lost, you can approach the Circle Office, and ask them for a duplicate Ration Card. You will be given a new Ration Card, with the same details as your original.  To get a duplicate Ration Card, follow the steps given below:  Step 1 –  You should go toRead more

Tatkal Passport is a scheme available citizens who need their Passports urgently. In this scheme, the Passport is dispatched within 1 working day excluding the date of submission of application if police verification is not required, and in 3 working days, if it is required.  To apply for a Tatkal Passport, follow the procedure givenRead more

Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number,1 specific to each individual,2 issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to the residents of India after satisfying a verification process based on demographic information and biometric information.3 You will be assigned an Aadhaar number on a card with your personal details such as name, date ofRead more

Follow the options below to get a Aadhar Card: In case the mobile number is registered with UIDAI, you can retrieve your lost/forgotten Aadhaar Number (UID) or Enrolment ID (EID) here. Select EID/UID for retrieval and enter the name and mobile number (as registered during Aadhaar enrolment). The EID/Aadhaar number delivered on the registered email/Read more

The process for obtaining a new Aadhaar Card requires going in person to an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre, and cannot be done online.  The cost-free Aadhaar enrolment process is as follows: Step 1: You can visit any authorized Aadhaar Enrolment Centre anywhere in India. This is an agency appointed for collecting demographic and biometric information ofRead more

You can apply for a PAN Number either online or in person. Applying for a PAN Number (Online) The process is as follows: Step 1: You may visit the Income Tax Department (ITD) website here to find out whether you already have a PAN Number or not. Step 2: An applicant can make an onlineRead more

You may make an application for a new PAN Card when you already have a PAN Number. Step 1: For an applicant who has already obtained a PAN Number and wishes to obtain a new PAN Card, download the form here. The form is also available at any TIN-FC or PAN Centre of National SecuritiesRead more

A PAN card represents your Permanent Account Number (PAN) which is a 10-digit alphanumeric identifier, issued by the Income Tax Department. Each assessee (e.g. individual, firm, company, etc.) is issued a unique PAN Number. No person who has already been allotted a PAN Number shall apply, obtain or possess another PAN Number.1 For representative purposesRead more

You may make an application for updating changes/corrections in existing PAN Card details. When you apply for updating of details, you will receive a newly issued PAN Card which will bear the same PAN Number but with updated information. The process for applying for a change/correction of PAN Card data is more or less theRead more

Given below are the portals and helpline numbers you can use to file complaints, address grievances, make enquiries and ask for help and support.  Aadhar Card Grievances associated with Aadhaar are received through the UIDAI Contact Centre, Post, Public Grievance Portal of the Government, and E-mail. Read more here. You can check your complaint statusRead more

A Voter ID Card, also known as the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is a photo identity card that is issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to all individuals who are eligible to vote.1 This card is commonly known by other names such as an election card, voter’s card, Voter ID, etc.  TheRead more