When was the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act enacted?

The correct answer is 1971.

Key Points

• The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1971 to regulate the conditions under which a pregnancy may be terminated.
• The Act allows for abortion by registered medical practitioners under specific circumstances, such as risk to the life or physical/mental health of the woman, or in cases of substantial risk that the child would suffer from serious physical or mental abnormalities.
• The MTP Act initially allowed abortions up to 20 weeks of gestation, but it was later amended in 2021 to extend the upper limit to 24 weeks for certain categories of women.
• The Act emphasizes that abortions must be performed in government-approved facilities to ensure safety and adherence to medical standards.
• India was one of the first countries to legalize abortion through legislation, ensuring access to safe abortion services while safeguarding women's rights.

Additional Information

• Key Objectives of the MTP Act:
  • To protect the health and life of women by allowing safe and legal abortions under prescribed conditions.
  • To reduce unsafe abortions, which are a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in India.
• MTP Amendment Act 2021:
  • Extended the gestational limit for abortions from 20 weeks to 24 weeks for special categories of women, including survivors of rape, incest, and other vulnerable women.
  • Introduced the requirement for the opinion of one registered medical practitioner for abortions up to 20 weeks and two practitioners for abortions between 20-24 weeks.
• Global Perspective:
  • Countries worldwide have varied laws regarding abortion, with some allowing it on request, while others permit it only under restrictive conditions.
  • India’s MTP Act is considered progressive compared to many countries but still faces challenges in implementation.
• Safe Abortion Practices:
  • Medical and surgical methods are the two primary approaches to abortion, both of which must be performed by trained professionals.
  • Unsafe abortions, often performed outside medical facilities, are a significant public health concern globally.