The Court inquired if such reservation had been given to the community by the Jammu & Kashmir government as a result of the judgment that the Supreme Court recently passed with regard to NALSA vs. Union of India judgment in two Public Interest Litigations filed in the interest and for the welfare of the community of transgendered individualsCase Background The two PILs, filed by social activists, further strengthened the demand for absolute recognition and protection of the rights of transgender people in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Arguing that despite the NALSA judgment of 2014, where it had been pronounced that transgender persons be considered as the "third gender" and must be granted education, employment, and other constitutional rights, the community of Jammu & Kashmir has been largely unattended. The petitions have sought tangible steps such as reservations in jobs as well as in educational institutions towards promoting and integrating the transgender community in society. Judgement of the Court The bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court while providing an answer to the case has raised eyebrows over the lack of the Union Territory government's clear policies or schemes regarding the need for reservation for transgender people in the Union Territory. The Court, however wanted a categorical response from the government on whether it had taken any measures in this regard, in terms of directives of the Supreme Court. The NALSA judgment had reflected a gender right to self-identify and had also directed both the central and state governments that the transgender persons should be treated as socially and economically backward classes; they should be entitled to reservations in education and public employment. Government's Stand The counsel for the Jammu & Kashmir administration responded that the government had taken measures for the welfare of transgender people, but the Court felt such measures were indistinguishable and without particular reservations. The Court recalled that general welfare schemes could be in existence, but they are quite inadequate to fill the targeted reservations that are warranted to raise the transgender community as promised by the NALSA ruling. Future Implications It has directed the Jammu & Kashmir government to draft a detailed affidavit on the existing or proposed reservation policies concerning the transgender community. It shall base the future rights of the transgender community with proper representation in both the employment sectors and education sectors of the public sphere. This case also puts into focus the need for a legal framework more potent enough to protect the rights of the marginalized communities in this region. The date for the next hearing is later this year. All eyes are glued to the response of the government, which can set the precedent for transgender rights in other Union Territories and states across India..