To ban commercial surrogacy, bill introduced by Health Minister J P Nadda in Lok Sabha

A bill was introduced on Monday in Lok Sabha for banning commercial surrogacy and protecting women from exploitation. Further, the bill also seeks to ensure the rights of the child born through surrogacy.

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 was introduced by Health Minister J P Nadda amid noisy opposition protest over the government's demonetisation move.

Once approved by Parliament, there will be a complete ban on commercial surrogacy, but altruistic surrogacy will be permitted for needy infertile couples under strict regulations.

Also Read: Government to table Surrogacy Bill in Parliament soon 

The bill entitles only Indian citizens to avail of surrogacy. But foreigners, NRIs and PIOs are not allowed to seek surrogacy in the country.

Homosexuals, single parents, and live-in couples are also not entitled for surrogacy. 

Also couples who already have children will not be allowed to go in for surrogacy, though they would be free to adopt a child under a separate law.With no law governing surrogacy, India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples from different countries. 

There have been incidents concerning unethical practices, exploitation of surrogate mothers and abandonment of children born out of surrogacy.

Also Read: Union Cabinet clears bill on surrogate motherhood

The bill allows surrogacy only for legally married couples after five years of marriage and with a certificate from a doctor stating that they are medically unfit to produce a child. 

Women within the age group of 23 years to 50 years and men aged between 26 to 55 years will be eligible to go in for surrogacy. In an attempt to check commercial exploitation and middlemen, the surrogate mother can only be a close relative, like a sister or sister-in-law who is married and has at least one healthy biological child. 

A woman can be a surrogate only once in her lifetime.