MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY ACT (INDIA)

Why in news?

France enshrining right to abortion as right in the French constitution.

INDIA

Abortion in India is governed by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971 which was amended in 2021

Provisions

Termination up to 20 weeks

Opinion of 1 registered medical practioner required (applies to unmarried women as well, also allows termination of pregnancy caused by  failure of contraceptive )

Termination of pregnancy from 20 – 24 weeks

Opinion of 2 RMPs required.

Allowed in cases which

• Cause harm to mother’s physical health.
• Cause mental anguish to mother (include survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (like differently-abled women, minors, change in marital status (divorced/ widowed))
• Substantial foetal abnormalities

Termination Beyond 24 weeks

Pregnancy can be terminated beyond 24 weeks where such termination is necessitated by the diagnosis of a substantial foetal abnormality and the case has been reviewed by the medical board.

Every state government or union territory shall constitute a medical board for the purposes of this act to carry out the functions prescribed by rules made under this act.

The Medical Board shall consist of the following

1. a Gynaecologist;
2. a Pediatrician;
3. a Radiologist or Sonologist; and
4. other members notified by the State Government or Union territory