The Central government has reached out to states, requesting comprehensive data on successful pregnancies through surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology (ART). This inclusive request covers cases involving married, single, divorced, and widowed women. The aim is to assess the impact of the Surrogacy Act and the ART Act, both introduced in 2021. The directive was issued on December 22, with a deadline for responses set for January 1.

This initiative stems from concerns over reported lapses in compliance with rules at various IVF clinics nationwide, as stated by an official from the Union Health Ministry. Instances such as single women being denied pregnancy through ART and couples seeking commercial surrogacy have prompted this move.

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, were enacted to govern the multi-million-dollar reproductive medicine industry. These acts establish stringent guidelines for surrogacy and gamete donation, delineating who can access ART procedures, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

The new regulations set operational standards for clinics and prohibit commercial surrogacy, with penalties of up to 10 years in jail and fines up to Rs.10 lakhs for violations.

Under these laws, only altruistic surrogacy, where no monetary transactions occur and the surrogate mother is genetically related to the individuals seeking a child, is permitted. Additionally, the new act specifies that only a close relative of the couple can undergo surrogacy.
Medical experts within the IVF industry have praised this action, believing it will provide a more accurate overview of the acts' effectiveness.

Reading reports, "The request for sharing successful ART cases presents a realistic picture of various ART clinics' success rates. We anticipate this move will enhance transparency and efficiency within the fertility sector," said Shobhit Agarwal, CEO of Nova IVF Fertility. Archana Bajaj, a gynecologist at Nurture IVF, noted that while the new acts have streamlined clinic operations and reduced irregularities, they've also led to increased costs and paperwork, particularly concerning sperm donation and ART cycles.

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