Context:
Bombay High Court allowed a woman to terminate her 25-week pregnancy
Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTPA), 2021:
- Amended the original 1971 Act to increase the upper gestation limit for abortion under specific conditions, driven by advancements in safer abortion techniques.
- The 1971 Act legalized abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy
- Termination is allowed if pregnancy risks the woman’s life, causes grave physical/mental injury, or if the fetus has severe abnormalities.
Features of MTPAA, 2021:
- Up to 20 weeks – The new Act allows termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks if contraceptive methods or devices fail, applicable to both married and unmarried women.
- Requires approval from one registered medical practitioner.
- Between 20 to 24 weeks – Requires approval from 4 registered medical practitioners (RMP); Applies to special categories such as –
- Survivors of sexual assault, rape, or incest.
- Minors.
- Women facing marital status changes (widowhood/divorce during pregnancy).
- Women with physical disabilities or mental illnesses.
- Foetal malformation cases where the child would have severe physical or mental abnormalities.
- Beyond 24 weeks – Allowed only in cases of substantial fetal abnormality.
- Requires approval from a Medical Board set up by the state government.
- Confidentiality – The Act ensures the confidentiality of women undergoing abortion, prohibiting the revelation of their names and other details except to authorized individuals under existing laws.
Global Practices:
- France – Abortion is legal up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.
- After 14 weeks, it is allowed for medical reasons, subject to approval by a medical board.
- United States – Roe v. Wade (1973) initially guaranteed the right to abortion, but the Dobbs v. Jackson (2022) ruling overturned it.
- Some states allow abortion up to 24 weeks, while others have stricter bans or limits.
- United Kingdom – Legal up to 24 weeks under the Abortion Act 1967.
Source: IE
Previous Year Question
To obtain the full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) Promoting skill development
(b) Introducing more social security schemes
(c) Reducing infant mortality rate
(d) Privatisation of higher education
Answer: (a)