Chennai’s K Prithika Yashini is all set to become India’s first transgender police officer after winning a prolonged court battle to gain eligibility to be recruited to the sub-inspector (SI) post.  The Madras High Court on Thursday directed Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) to appoint her as Sub-Inspector of police as she is entitled to get the job.

The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Satyanarayana, also directed TNUSRB to include transgender as a “third category” by the next recruitment process is carried out.

The 25-year-old Prithika Yashini, born and brought up as Pradeep Kumar, had undergone gender reassignment surgery. She applied for the SI post to the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) in February 2015 when it called for applicants to fill 1087 SI posts, but was rejected on the ground she did not fall under the available two categories of gender.

Unwilling to give up, she moved the Madras High Court, which ruled in her favour and allowed her in various stages of the selection process, including the written examination, physical endurance test and viva-voice through interim orders. However, she had to approach the court again as the state police recruitment board rejected her citing various reasons.

On Thursday, the First Bench that heard Prithika’s petition directed the board to recruit Prithika as SI and include transgender as a “third category” in future recruitment processes.

“I’m excited. It’s a new beginning for the entire transgender community,” Prithika said, who hopes to become an IPS officer. Prithika, born as Pradeep Kumar left her parents’ home before completing a computer studies course and undergoing surgery.