- 31 October, 2026
HYDERABAD, October 31, 2026: From struggling to find food after being rejected by her family to fighting a nearly two-year legal battle for admission to postgraduate medical education, Dr. Koyyala Ruth John Paul has overcome formidable obstacles to become India’s first transgender person to complete a postgraduate medical course.
Ruth, who completed her MD in Emergency Medicine at ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, after three years of study from 2023 to 2026, has broken new ground in a profession where transgender representation remains limited. Her achievement is also a reminder of the social and institutional barriers that continue to restrict equal opportunities for transgender people.
Born in Khammam district of Telangana, Ruth was the youngest of three children. She lost her father when she was eight, leaving her mother to bring up the family amid financial difficulties. Despite the hardships, she pursued her education, completed her schooling and intermediate studies in her hometown, and cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to secure admission to an undergraduate medical course.
However, her decision to come out as a transgender woman during her medical studies changed the course of her personal life. Her family rejected her, forcing her to live independently for nearly six years. Without financial or emotional support, she struggled to meet even her basic needs. There were periods when she went without adequate food and had to look for work to sustain herself.
Yet, she remained determined to complete her medical education and pursue specialisation.
In 2021, Ruth secured part-time employment at Mitr Clinic, now known as Sabrang Clinic, described as India's first transgender clinic. She worked there for about two years while preparing for postgraduate medical entrance examinations, balancing employment with the demands of academic preparation.
Clearing the entrance examination, however, did not immediately open the doors to postgraduate education. During the admission counselling process, she encountered difficulties because of the absence of clear procedures for accommodating transgender candidates.
With the assistance of transgender rights activist Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, Ruth approached the Telangana High Court, challenging the barriers that prevented her from securing admission. The legal proceedings continued for nearly two years. An interim order from the court eventually enabled her to participate in the admission process, leading to her securing a postgraduate seat in Emergency Medicine at ESIC Medical College and Hospital in 2023.
The legal battle exposed the difficulties transgender students face in navigating admission systems that are not adequately equipped to ensure their equal participation.
Even after entering postgraduate training, Ruth had to confront social prejudice in her professional environment. During clinical practice, she encountered hesitation from some patients who were unfamiliar with transgender doctors. Working in emergency medicine, where patients often arrive in vulnerable and life-threatening situations, required her to establish trust while demonstrating professional competence.
She continued to focus on providing medical care with empathy and dedication, seeking to challenge misconceptions through her work.
For Ruth, completing postgraduate medical education is not the end of the journey. She hopes to use her specialist training to serve people in need, particularly transgender individuals who often face discrimination and difficulties in accessing healthcare.
She wants to contribute to a healthcare system in which patients receive treatment without prejudice based on gender identity or sexuality.
Her achievement carries significance beyond the medical qualification she has earned. It draws attention to the need for inclusive admission procedures, institutional support and equal opportunities in professional education. It also highlights the additional struggles faced by transgender students who must negotiate social exclusion while pursuing their ambitions.
Ruth's journey, from family rejection and economic insecurity to a courtroom battle and specialist medical training, offers a glimpse into the barriers that remain largely invisible in discussions about access to education and employment.
By becoming India's first transgender postgraduate doctor, she has opened a new chapter in the representation of transgender people in the medical profession. Her story is not simply about overcoming personal adversity; it is also about the right to education, professional dignity and the opportunity to serve society without discrimination.
Courtesy : The Hindu
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