The National Commission for Women (NCW) has established a committee, led by former Delhi High Court Judge Asha Menon, to assess the regulatory framework and laws governing IVF clinics and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centers. This committee aims to suggest Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices for these facilities to enhance ethical treatment practices, standardized clinical protocols, and transparency in the sector. Comprising experts from various fields, the committee will address legal, ethical, medical, and administrative issues related to assisted reproductive technologies amidst rising concerns over irregularities.
The committee will specifically focus on reviewing the implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and relevant Amendment Rules notified in 2026. It will also evaluate the existing safeguards concerning consent, privacy, and biological traceability, identify regulatory gaps that could lead to exploitation or fraudulent practices, and propose reforms to enhance institutional accountability. The recommendations of this committee are expected to influence future legal, policy, and administrative reforms to strengthen governance in the ART ecosystem and ensure the protection of women seeking fertility treatment.
The NCW emphasizes that reproductive healthcare should be guided by principles such as dignity, informed choice, transparency, and accountability. The commission stresses the importance of ensuring safety, ethical treatment, and protection of rights for every woman accessing assisted reproductive services. Despite mandatory registration under the National ART and Surrogacy Registry for all RT Clinics and Gamete Banks, regulatory compliance alone has not been adequate to prevent unethical practices, according to the commission. Concerns have also been raised about medical tourism in the fertility sector potentially bypassing India’s legal safeguards, including those against sex selection.
