Now abortion will be possible in 24 weeks, Modi cabinet approves change in law

The Bill to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971 has been approved by the Union Cabinet. There is a proposal to increase the maximum limit for abortion from 20 weeks to 24 weeks. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told after the meeting that the bill will be introduced in Parliament in the budget session. The bill proposes the need to seek the opinion of a doctor for abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, while it will be necessary to consult the opinion of two doctors for abortion for 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

It is proposed to increase the limit of pregnancy from 20 to 24 weeks for abortion of particular women.

Such women will be defined through amendments to the MTP rules. These include rape victims, sexual contact with relatives and other women (women with disabilities, minors).

Upper limit of pregnancy will not be applicable in case of fetal abnormalities detected in medical board investigation. It states that the name and other information of the woman whose abortion is to be done will not be given to anyone other than a particular person as prescribed under the law at that time.

The government says that this is a concrete step towards the safety and health of women and many women will be benefited from this. In recent times, a number of petitions have been made in the courts, seeking permission for abortions on the duration of pregnancy exceeding the current sanctioned limit on the grounds of conception due to fetal inequalities or sexual violence with women.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed an amendment to the abortion law after extensive consultation with various stakeholders and ministries to provide safe abortion services to women and keeping in mind the development of technology in the medical field.