The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released new medical guidelines that will help transgender people who have completed their gender transition therapy or surgery to fly private and commercial aircraft. This landmark move was made after India’s first transgender trainee pilot, 23-year-old Mr. Adam Harry, was declared unfit to fly by the DGCA in 2019 on grounds of life-long gender-change therapy. In an earlier statement, issued on July 13, the DGCA had stated that ongoing therapy was not grounds for disqualification if transgender individuals have reached a stable dose.

Earlier, the DGCA had also disputed Mr. Harry’s candidature on grounds of gender dysphoria and Harry’s "mental health report" as incomplete. However, the DGCA’s new policy offers much-needed clarity to medical examiners when evaluating a transgender applicant’s medical fitness.

According to the policy, the assessment will be made on a "case-to-case" basis. The candidate will have to register for a preliminary medical test with the gender as per their ‘Certificate of Identity’ issued by the Government of India (male, female or transgender). They should also furnish reports from their treating surgeon or endocrinologist, followed by a screening test for their mental health status at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Indian Air Force (IAM, IAF) if the applicant has been taking hormone therapy or had gender reassignment surgery within the last five years.

Furthermore, the guidelines also mentioned that even after they are deemed medically fit, additional restrictions "may" be imposed. These restrictions would include a permit to fly only as a first officer. If they are the pilot-in-command, they should have a co-pilot who is either a senior captain and trainer or has more than 250 flying hours.