Three trans women are about to become police officers in a ground-breaking move for India

Transgender women are set to become police officers in a ground-breaking move for India.

The police force in Tamil Nadu changed its rules earlier this year so that trans people could apply.

And three of the 50 applicants have cleared every hurdle on their way to being appointed as police constables.

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Dhakshayini, Prabha Mohan and Jagadeeswaran alias Nazriya will start training in their new positions at the beginning of November.

India made Prithika Yashini its first trans police officer last year, but only after a protracted legal battle.

This marks the first time that trans people have been actively encouraged to join the police, and it has proved successful.

Nazriya thanked the state government and said she hoped Indian society would accept and support the three of them and future trans police constables, The Hindu has reported.

She and her two new colleagues scored well enough in their tests to be placed in the Armed Reserve – the force’s top category.

Trans activists in India (Getty)

The trans officers will be given the opportunity to apply for roles in the male, female or third gender categories.

Three years ago, the Indian Supreme Court granted third gender status to trans people, and endorsed people’s right to determine the gender they identify with.