Forensic Medicine: MTP Act, 1971 & 2021 Amendment
Legal Framework for Safe Abortion in India
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act regulates the conditions and procedures for legal abortion in India. The 2021 Amendment significantly expanded access and reproductive autonomy.
1. Gestational Limits & Requirements (Post-2021)
| Gestation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 Weeks | Opinion of one Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP). |
| 20 – 24 Weeks | Opinion of two RMPs (for “special categories” of women). |
| Beyond 24 Weeks | Permitted only for substantial fetal abnormalities, as decided by a Medical Board. |
2. NEET PG High-Yield Pearls
- Special Categories: Includes rape survivors, incest victims, minors, differently-abled women, and those with changing marital status during pregnancy (widowed/divorced).
- Contraceptive Failure: Now explicitly covers failure of methods used by both married and unmarried women as a valid ground for termination up to 20 weeks.
- Confidentiality: The Act mandates that the woman’s name and particulars shall not be revealed, except to persons authorized by law.
- Medical Board Composition: Typically consists of a Gynecologist, Pediatrician, Radiologist/Sonologist, and other notified members.
- Qualified Provider: Termination must be performed by an RMP with recognized medical qualifications, registered in a State Medical Register, and possessing the prescribed training/experience in gynecology and obstetrics.