NCW idea of surrogacy for single women turned down

The Department of Health Research (DHR), which has been giving the final touches to the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill — that aims to regulate surrogacy in India — has rejected the National Commission for Women’s (NCW) suggestion of allowing surrogacy to single unwed women. In fact, it is learnt that the department has decided to go ahead with its earlier proposal to ban “commercial surrogacy” for foreigners.

Sources in the Union health ministry revealed that the department is likely to approach the Cabinet with the draft bill soon. Earlier, the NCW had suggested that surrogacy should be allowed to single unwed women and be restricted only to Indian nationals. However, sources said that the it has been decided to bar foreigners from commissioning surrogacy in India. “The ministry of home affairs (MHA) will be keeping a close eye on the visas granted to foreigners coming for medical purposes here in India,” said a senior official. As reported by this newspaper first, the government is expected to propose allowing surrogacy only to couples who live together which is legal in India, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), People of Indian origin (PIO), Non-Resident Indian’s (NRIs) and a foreigner married to an Indian citizen.