Transgender doctor Dr Ruth John Paul completes MD, joins ESI hospital
12-10-2026 · English
Topics: Health · 12 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)
News
Dr Koyyala Ruth John Paul, a transgender woman from Khammam district, Telangana, completed her MD in Emergency Medicine at ESIC Medical College, Hyderabad, and joined ESI Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, as a senior resident (Oct 2026). In 2023 the media described her as the first transgender person admitted to a medical PG course.
Key facts
| Doctor | Dr Koyyala Ruth John Paul – Khammam, Telangana |
| MBBS | 2018 – Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences |
| MD | Emergency Medicine – ESIC Medical College, Hyderabad (admitted 2023 on a third-gender seat after a High Court interim order) |
| Now | Senior resident, ESI Hospital, Sanathnagar |
| Earlier | 2022 – among Telangana's first transgender government doctors, at Osmania General Hospital |
Background
- Supreme Court – NALSA v. Union of India (15 Apr 2014): recognised transgender persons as the 'third gender' with rights under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19 and 21.
- The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 bans discrimination and set up a National Council for Transgender Persons; the 'SMILE' scheme (2022) supports rehabilitation.
- ESIC – Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESI Act 1948), under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- Note: the Oct 2026 report does not itself claim 'India's first transgender PG doctor'; the 'first' label was used at her 2023 admission.
Tamil Nadu link: Tamil Nadu set up India's first Transgender (Aravani) Welfare Board in 2008; 15 April is 'Transgender Day' in Tamil Nadu. K. Prithika Yashini became India's first transgender police Sub-Inspector (2017, Tamil Nadu).
Source: Deccan Chronicle, 10 Oct 2026; South First, IANS (2023)
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