NID opens door for third gender

After the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University (CEPT University) in Ahmedabad, the National Institute of Design (NID) has decided to open its admission process to transgenders beginning next academic year.

The aptitude test for courses like Bachelor in Design (BDes) and Master in Design (MDes) is scheduled to be held on January 10 next, and the process of collecting the forms for 100 seats in the former and 275 seats in the later have already begun this month.

The institute which was recently recognised by the HRD Ministry as an institute of national importance has decided to open up its  doors to the third gender following the Supreme Court’s guideline.

Prior to this CEPT University had announced through their admission forms that admissions were open for third gender beginning this academic year in August, though the university is yet to get any candidate from the third gender but hopes through counseling sessions they will be able to get candidates for their undergraduate and post graduate courses.

An official of the NID said that they were looking to include the option of transgender in their admission form, so that candidates could specify for the same.

An advertisement by the institute has asked candidates to apply with self attested photocopy of relevant certificate from competent authority.

After the two premier institutes of the city opened their doors for the third gender, academicians point out that other institutes in the city like MICA and Gujarat National Law University may soon follow suit.