{"id":155854,"date":"2025-02-18T19:32:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T14:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=155854"},"modified":"2025-02-19T16:45:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T11:15:43","slug":"mtp-amendment-act","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/mtp-amendment-act","title":{"rendered":"Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bombay High Court allowed a woman to terminate her 25-week pregnancy at a private hospital, despite the 24-week limit set by the<\/span><b> Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decision was based on medical and legal grounds, considering<\/span><b> fetal abnormalities and reproductive rights.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>About Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-155982 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/unnamed-2025-02-19t114443342-67b5bc721c90e.webp\" alt=\"Medical Termination of Pregnancy\" width=\"352\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/unnamed-2025-02-19t114443342-67b5bc721c90e.webp 512w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/unnamed-2025-02-19t114443342-67b5bc721c90e-300x289.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Origin and Objective: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enacted in <\/span><b>1971<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>MTP Act<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> legalized abortion under specific conditions to safeguard <\/span><b>women\u2019s health<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It does not permit abortion solely as a <\/span><b>family planning method<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or personal choice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Termination is allowed if pregnancy <\/span><b>risks the woman\u2019s life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, causes <\/span><b>grave physical\/mental injury<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or if the fetus has <\/span><b>severe abnormalities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">..<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2021 Amendments: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provided special provisions for Pregnancy between 20 to 24 weeks and beyond 24 weeks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Key Provisions of the MTP Amendment Act, 2021<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Up to 20 weeks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Allowed for married\/unmarried women in case of contraceptive failure.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Requires approval <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from one registered medical practitioner.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Between 20 to 24 weeks: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requires<\/span><b> approval from two registered medical practitioners (RMP).<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applies to special categories such as:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Survivors of sexual assault, rape, or incest.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women facing marital status changes (widowhood\/divorce during pregnancy).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women with physical disabilities or mental illnesses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foetal malformation cases where the child would have severe physical or mental abnormalities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Beyond 24 weeks : <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allowed only in cases of substantial fetal abnormality.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requires<\/span><b> approval from a Medical Board<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> set up by the<\/span><b> state government.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Doctors assess risks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the woman\u2019s life, physical and mental health, or severe fetal abnormalities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Confidentiality Clause<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The name and details of a woman undergoing abortion shall not be disclosed, except to authorized legal entities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Concerns Raised Against the Provisions<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limited Access to Private Hospitals:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The MTP Rules lack a category for termination beyond 24 weeks in private hospitals.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only government-approved facilities can conduct abortions beyond 24 weeks, restricting women\u2019s choices.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delays Due to Medical Board Approval:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Women with severe fetal abnormalities must seek approval from a Medical Board, causing delays in urgent cases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Need for Clarity in Private Healthcare Regulations :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The lack of clear guidelines for private hospitals leads to legal hurdles and denial of timely medical care.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Global Practices on Termination of Pregnancy<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>France:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Abortion is legal up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After 14 weeks, it is <\/span><b>allowed for medical reasons<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, subject to approval by a medical board.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>United States (Varies by State): Roe v. Wade (1973) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">initially <\/span><b>guaranteed the right to abortion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but the <\/span><b>Dobbs v. Jackson (2022)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ruling overturned federal protections.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some states allow abortion<\/span><b> up to viability (~24 weeks), while others have stricter bans or gestational limits.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>United Kingdom:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Legal up to 24 weeks under the<\/span><b> Abortion Act 1967.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond 24 weeks, it is permitted only if there is a risk to the woman\u2019s life, severe fetal abnormalities, or grave physical\/mental harm.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Main Answer Writing<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Test Series<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Bombay High Court allowed a woman to terminate her 25-week pregnancy at a private hospital, despite the 24-week limit set by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":155830,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[4632,2124],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/155854"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155854"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/155854\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":155984,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/155854\/revisions\/155984"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155854"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=155854"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=155854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}