Restricted by surrogacy laws, Indians are going abroad to become parents.

Context: Indians are turning to commercial surrogacy abroad due to restrictive laws in India.

Gist:

• The Surrogacy Regulation Act of 2021 only allows altruistic surrogacy under specific conditions.
• Increasing numbers of privileged Indians are opting for surrogacy in the US, Canada, and Latin American countries.

Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021:

• Objective: Regulation of surrogacy practices and protection of rights for surrogate mothers and children.

Key provisions:

• Establishment of Boards: The Act sets up
  • National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board (NATSRB) and
  • State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Boards (StART Boards)
• Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, meaning no commercial transactions can take place.
• Intended couples must be:
  • A legally married Indian man and woman.
  • The woman should be between 25-50 years old and the man between 26-55 years old.
  • Not have any biological, adopted or previously surrogate children.
• Alternatively, a single Indian woman between 35-45 years old (widow or divorcee) can also avail surrogacy if medically necessary.

Source: Indian Express