Law, Rights & Safety
Plain-language summaries of Indian laws. Always verify the latest official version.
Sex selection is a crime in India. KedVia never provides information on choosing the sex of a baby.
Sex selection is illegal (PCPNDT Act)In India, finding out or choosing the sex of a baby before or after conception is a crime under the PCPNDT Act. KedVia never gives any information on choosing the sex of a baby.Your rights as a patientYou have the right to clear information, to give or refuse consent, to see your records and to take a second opinion.Adoption through CARACARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) is the only legal route for adopting an unrelated child in India.ART (Regulation) Act 2021This law regulates IVF clinics and sperm/egg banks in India to protect patients, donors and children.Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed in India. Commercial surrogacy is banned.How to check if a clinic is registeredBefore treatment, check that the clinic or bank is registered under the ART Act.ART Act 2021: what it means for patientsThe ART (Regulation) Act, 2021 is an Indian law that makes fertility treatments like IVF and donor treatment safer and more honest. It requires registered clinics and banks, clear consent, counselling, proper records, age limits and protection for donors. Knowing your rights helps you ask the right questions.Surrogacy law in India: who is eligibleIn India, only altruistic surrogacy is allowed. This means the surrogate is not paid for carrying the baby, though her medical costs and insurance are covered. Intending parents need a medical reason, official certificates and approval from a District Medical Board. A 2024 change now allows donor eggs or sperm in some medically certified cases.Understanding consent forms before treatmentA consent form is not just a paper to sign. It is a record that you understand your treatment, its risks and its costs, and that you agree to it freely. You can ask questions, take time to decide, choose what happens to stored eggs, sperm or embryos, and change your mind later.Frozen embryos and eggs: storage limits and choicesEggs, sperm and embryos can be frozen safely and used years later. In India, the ART Act 2021 sets rules for how long they can be stored, and your written consent decides what happens to them. Talk to a fertility specialist about renewal, unused embryos, and what to do if life changes.Health insurance and fertility treatmentMost health insurance policies in India do not pay for IVF, IUI or ICSI, because IRDAI's standard exclusions list infertility treatment. Some tests, and surgery for a medical problem, may be covered, so check your policy and your employer's scheme before you start. Your fertility specialist can help you plan the costs.Fertility treatment for single women in IndiaUnder India's ART Act 2021, a single woman can seek fertility treatment such as IUI, IVF with donor sperm, and egg freezing at a registered clinic. A child born this way is legally the woman's own child, and the donor has no parental rights. Rules and age limits matter, so a talk with a fertility specialist is the best first step.If something goes wrong: complaints and redressalMost worries in fertility care can be solved by calmly talking to your clinic and asking for answers in writing. If that does not help, India has official routes: the National or State ART Board, the consumer commission and the medical council. Keep copies of every report and bill, and talk to a fertility specialist about your next steps.Your right to your medical recordsYour fertility reports and treatment notes are about your body and your care, so you have the right to ask for copies. In India, doctors are generally expected to provide records within about 72 hours of a written request. Keeping your own organised file helps you at every step, including when you change doctors or want a second opinion.