Indian IT giant TCS has changed its health insurance policy to cover LGBTQ people. In an email update to its employees, TCS announced the new changes which will benefit transgender employees as well as LGB employees.

Under the new policy, upto 50% of the cost of Sex/Gender Reassignment Surgery (upto a maximum of INR 2 Lakh) will be covered by the insurance. Furthermore, the definition of spouse will now include same-sex partners irrespective of their marital status.

“Respect for the individual, is one of our core TCS values and built on this value, we continue our journey towards *LGBTQ+ inclusion. We believe in building an organization where everyone feels included, involved and respected,” the email read.

TCS is part of the Tata Group of companies and employs over 4 lakh people in India. In May last year, Tata Steel had launched WINGS, an Employee Resource Group for LGBTQ employees under its Diversity and Inclusion program called Mosaic.

Sukhdeep Singh