Donating blood is called great donation, this small initiative of yours can save lives of people in emergency situations. In serious situations like accidents, patients require additional blood during surgery, this is where your blood donation can play a big role. However, the worrying thing is that every day in India, about 12,000 patients die due to not getting blood on time. There is a huge difference in the demand and supply of blood donation in the country. Health experts say, a healthy person (male or female) aged 18 to 65 years, whose weight is at least 50 kg and hemoglobin level is at least between 12.5-13.0, can donate blood voluntarily. Now the question is, can homosexuals, transgenders and sex workers also donate blood? So the answer is no. On Thursday (12 March 2026), the Central Government told the Supreme Court that after various reviews, the ban on blood donation on homosexuals, transgenders and sex workers has been maintained. Let us know why these people cannot donate blood.
Transgenders and homosexuals are banned in the guidelines regarding blood donation.
The Central Government told the Supreme Court that it has been decided to continue the ban on blood donation by transgenders, gay men and sex workers. This decision has been taken by experts after reviewing the earlier decision at the behest of the court. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipula Pancholi was hearing writ petitions challenging the “Guidelines for Blood Donor Selection and Blood Donor Referral, 2017” issued by the National Blood Transfusion Council and the National AIDS Control Organization under the aegis of the Union Health Ministry. Sections 12 and 51 of the guidelines provide for transgender persons, homosexual men and Female sex workers have been considered a group at high risk of HIV infection. In view of the danger, blood donation of such people has been banned. Last year, the court had asked the Center to reconsider this ban.
Court said, cannot take even one percent risk
The matter was heard again on Thursday. India’s Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati told the court, experts have reiterated that this ban is necessary in the larger public interest. ASG Bhati said, experts have reconsidered this and are of the opinion that if this ban is relaxed, it could be harmful for the blood recipient. Senior advocate Jayna Kothari, appearing for the petitioners, said that this decision was targeting a person only on the basis of his sexuality and gender identity. However, the government has called it not discrimination but necessary for the safety of public health and patients. The CJI refused to interfere in the Centre’s decision. He said, give us one concrete reason why we should issue any direction. There are millions and crores of poor people who get blood for free. They cannot afford private hospitals. It is the poor section of the society which survives on the basis of this blood. Why should these poor people become victims even if there is only one percent risk of infection?
Need to promote blood donation in India
Despite all the debate, the rate of blood donation is very low compared to the demand for blood in the country. This gap has become bigger during and after Corona. Every two seconds, someone in the country requires blood. India requires 1.4 crore units of blood every year. There is an estimated shortage of 30-40 lakh units of blood every year. Many camps are being run regularly to promote blood donation in the country, however, due to ignorance, lack of awareness and lack of correct information, people do not come forward for donation. Health experts say, blood donation is not only a matter of social welfare, it also provides many health benefits to the blood donor.
