Surrogacy in India: Legal, Ethical, and Social Dimensions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52783/jns.v14.3302Abstract
The concept of family has played a significant role in shaping civilization, with marriage and procreation being at the core of social structures. However, infertility has become a growing concern, affecting individuals across different demographics. Advances in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have introduced surrogacy as a solution, yet it remains entangled in ethical, legal, and social debates. India, once a global hub for commercial surrogacy, has shifted towards strict regulation, banning commercial surrogacy while allowing altruistic surrogacy under specific conditions.
This paper critically examines the legal framework regulating surrogacy in India, including the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and its impact on intended parents, surrogate mothers, and marginalized groups. It also explores judicial interventions, the exclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and single parents, and the ethical concerns surrounding the ban on commercial surrogacy. The study further evaluates global surrogacy laws and suggests reforms for a more inclusive and ethical approach
Downloads
Metrics
References
Mother or nothing: the agony of infertility. Cui W. Bull World Health Organ. 2010;88:881–882. (Last visited 10th April 2024)”
“Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act. [ Apr; 2023 ]. 2021. https://dhr.gov.in/document/acts-circulars/surrogacy-regulation-act-2021, (Last visited 10th April 2024)”
“Marriner C. Booming surrogacy demand sparks exploitation fears. 2012. https://www.smh.com.au/national/booming-surrogacy-demand-sparks-exploitation-fears-20120901-25742.html, (Last visited 10th April 2024)
Medical tourism, surrogacy and the legal overtones - the Indian tale. Shankar DM. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43953689 J Indian Law Inst. 2014;56:62–77. ((Last visited 10th April 2024)
“R.S. Sharma, Social, ethical, medical & legal aspects of surrogacy: an Indian scenario, 140 IJMR 13, (2014), Social, ethical, medical & legal aspects of surrogacy: an Indian scenario - PMC (nih.gov)”
“The Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Regulation) Bill-2010, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health &Family Welfare, Govt. of India, pg. 4 (aa)”.
Surrogate Motherhood, Available at: http://www.legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/surrogate+motherhood (visited on 10.04.24).
“Kush Kalra, “Surrogacy Arrangements; Legal and Social Issues” Journal of Law Teachers India 125 (2010)”.
“J.P.S. Sirohi, Criminology and Penology 679 (2011)”
“Ministry of health & finance Welfare (India), ―ART Clinics In India‖(September,2002”.
“Indian Council of Medical Research, National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), National Guidelines for Accreditation, Supervision And Regulation of Art Clinics In India, New Delhi: Ministry of Health And Family Welfare, Government of India; 2005”
“Surrogate Motherhood -Ethical or Commercial, Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director Centre for Social Research Available at https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/final%20report.pdf. (Visited on 6.04.24)”.
“The new surrogacy bill will stop exploitation of women”, Hindustan Times, August 25, 2016 Available on https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/the-new-surrogacy-bill-will-stop-exploitation-ofwomen-and-make-way-for-ethical-practices/story-zefLgh17lJpfjg8T8zv1QM.html (visited on 14.09.2023)”.
“Manali Singh, ―Surrogacy in India and its Legal Aspects‖, Pen Acclaims, Vol. 10, page no.1-17, (May,2020)”.
“RSTV: IN DEPTH- NEW SURROGACY BILL, INSIGHTS ON INDIA (AUGUST 5, 2019), Available at https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/08/05/rstv-in-depth-new-surrogacy-bill/ (visited on 13.09.2023)”.
Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019, Section 36
“Shambharkar MB: a critical analysis of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill. [ Apr; 2023 ];et al. https://lawwallet.in/a-critical-analysis-of-the-surrogacy-regulation-bill-2020/ 2020”.
“United Nations General Assembly. 217 A (III). Universal Declaration of Human Rights - International Bill of Human Rights. [ Jul; 2022 ]. 1948. http://www.un-documents.net/a3r217a.htm, (Last visited 6th April)”
”K. Parthasarathi vs Government of A.P. & Ors. 2000 (1) ALD 199, 1999 (5) ALT 715”
“Navtej Singh Johar & Ors. v. Union of India. Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 76 of 2016”.
“Procreative consciousness in a global market: gay men's paths to surrogacy in the USA. Smietana M. Reprod Biomed Soc Online. 2018;7:101–111”.
“National Legal Ser Authority v. Union of India & Ors. Writ Petition (Civil) No. 400 of 2012
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.