Amid growing concerns over irregularities in the rapidly expanding Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) sector, the National Commission for Women (NCW) today constituted a high-level Expert Committee. It will undertake a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework and concerned laws governing IVF clinics, ART centres and gamete banks, with a focus on protecting the reproductive rights, dignity and safety of women. Former Judge of the Delhi High Court, Justice Asha Menon will chair the expert committee. It will bring together experts from the judiciary, medicine, forensic science, law enforcement, gynaecology, public policy and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The commission has observed that regulatory compliance has not been sufficient to prevent unethical practices. The Commission said that the emergence of medical tourism in the fertility sector has also raised concerns about the possible circumvention of India’s legal safeguards, including those aimed at preventing sex selection. It said, the absence of uniform treatment protocols across states has further highlighted the need for stronger oversight to protect women from unnecessary procedures, inconsistent standards of care and financial exploitation.
The committee will also review the implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, the surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the relevant Amendment Rules notified in 2026. It will examine existing safeguards relating to consent, privacy and biological traceability, identify regulatory and procedural gaps that may enable exploitation or fraudulent practices and recommend reforms to strengthen institutional accountability. It will also propose Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices for ART clinics and IVF Centres to promote ethical treatment practices, standardised clinical protocol and greater transparency across the sector.
NCW has reiterated that reproductive healthcare must be guided by the principles of dignity, informed choice, transparency and accountability and that every woman accessing assisted reproductive services must be assured of safety, ethical treatment and protection of her rights.
