In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court today, granted recognition to transgender as third category of sex.

The Centre and States were also directed to take steps for bringing the community into the mainstream by providing adequate healthcare, education and employment.

A bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and A K Sikri directed the governments to treat the transgender as socially and economically backward and work to raise awareness about them through social welfare schemes.

The apex court has also asked to grant them all facilities including a voters ID, passport and driving license. The National Legal Services Authority had petitioned the Supreme Court in 2012 seeking equal rights for this group of people.