In a path-breaking move, the finance ministry has approved the request of a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer to change their name and gender in all official records.
The request was made by M Anusuya, a 2013 batch IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer, currently serving as joint commissioner in the office of the chief commissioner of the Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Hyderabad.
This is the first time such a decision was taken in Indian Civil Service history.
They requested the name to be changed to M. Anukathir Surya and the gender from female to male.
As per an office order dated July 9, 2024, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs said the authority considered the request and henceforth the officer will be recognised as Mr Anukathir Surya in all official records.
“Ms M Anusuya, IRS (C&IT: 2013) [Employee Code: 4623, DOB: 20.10.1988] presently posted as Joint Commissioner in 0/o Chief Commissioner (AR), CESTAT, Hyderabad has requested for change of her name from Ms M Anusuya to Mr M Anukathir Surya and Gender from Female to Male.”
“The request of Ms M Anusuya has been considered. Henceforth, the officer will be recognised as ‘Mr M Anukathir Surya’ in all official records,” the order said.
The order was issued with approval of competent authority, it said.
Surya started their career as an assistant commissioner in Chennai in December 2013 and was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in 2018. They joined their current posting in Hyderabad last year, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Surya completed his Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication from the Madras Institute of Technology in 2010 and finished a PG Diploma in Cyber Law and Cyber Forensics from the National Law Institute University in Bhopal in 2023.
Hailing the move, senior IRS officers said the order is "progressive" and has set a precedent for gender inclusivity within government services.
—with agency inputs
