Abortion in India became legal in 1971 with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which allows access to safe abortion services in a wide range of circumstances. In 2021[1], an amendment to the MTP extended the gestational limit to 24 weeks in certain cases with the evaluation of two registered medical practitioners. Public facilities offer abortion services in India for free and medical abortion pills can be found in pharmacies.
Is Abortion Legal in India?
Abortion is legal in India for pregnancies up to 24 weeks.
According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021 [1], ending a pregnancy up to 20 weeks requires approval from one registered medical practitioner, while ending a pregnancy between 20 and 24 weeks requires approval from two registered medical practitioners who can assess that the pregnancy:
- Poses a risk to the life of the woman or could cause serious harm to her physical or mental health.
- Is the result of rape, incest, or contraceptive failure in a married woman, which is assumed to harm her mental health.
- Has a high likelihood of the child being born with severe physical or mental abnormalities.
What Types of Abortion are Available in India?
- Abortion with pills, available within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
- Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA)
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
In-Clinic Abortion
What are the Different Types of In-Clinic Abortion Procedures Availble in India?
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
- Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA)
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
Is Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) safe?
MVA is a very safe method of abortion for pregnancies in the first trimester, and/or early second trimester all the way up to 14 weeks of gestation. MVA is 99% effective. [3]
You can get more information on the MVA procedure here.
Where Can I get a Manual Vacum Aspiration (MVA) Abortion in India?
MVA is offered at government-approved public facilities as well as private clinics.
How Much Does Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Cost in India?
The service is free in public health facilities in India. The cost at private facilities ranges from USD 25 to USD 390
Are There Any Side Effects of Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)?
The most common side effect is cramping during the procedure. Often this cramping will improve quickly afterward, but some women may experience cramping on and off for a few days or weeks. Most women will experience bleeding and cramping during and after MVA, these symptoms will gradually improve in the following days after the procedure. [3]
Abortion Pills in India (Medical Abortion)
Are the Abortion Pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) Available in India?
Both Mifepristone and Misoprostol are available in India. [4]
How Late Into a Pregnancy Can the Abortion Pills Be Used?
The abortion pills can be used within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
You can get more information on the medical abortion protocol using Mifepristone and Misoprostol or using Misoprostol only.
Do I Need a Prescription for Mifepristone? Misoprostol?
A valid prescription is required to acquire these pills in India.
What Brands of Abortion Pill Are Popular in India?
Abortion pills in India are easily accessible and are offered under various brand names.[4] Some of the most popular brands include:
- Combipack, a combination of Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills:
- Unwanted-Kit
- Safe Abort Kit
- MTP Kit
- safe-t kit
- Mifegest
- Syn-Bort
- Mifepristone: Mifeprin
- Misoprostol only: Miso-Kare; Misoprost
Abortion Pill Cost in India
The cost of abortion pills will depend on where you are located, brands and what medication you are buying. They cost between USD 7 – USD 10. Some combipack options (one pill of Mifepristone + 4 pills of Misoprostol) can be between Rs 400 to Rs 750.
What is the abortion rate in India? How Many Women Have Abortions?
47 per 100 women have abortions in India [2]
Who Can I Contact for More Information on Abortion in India?
- Janani India
- India Marjee Hotline
- Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India (FRHS India)
- Family Planning Association of India (FPA India)
Tele-Helpline Centre 1800- 200- 3006
Phone: (+91) 9075764763
http://www.marjee.org.in/
(+91) 11 4984 0000 / (+91) 40 3068 0659
https://www.facebook.com/FoundationforReproHealthServicesIndia/
(91) – 22 – 4086 3101 / 2202 9080 / 22025174
You can get in touch with safe2choose’s counselors by email at info@safe2choose.org or by livechat.
[1] The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021; Ministry of Law and Justice; NO. 8 OF 2021; 25th March; 2021; Retrived from: https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/acts_parliament/2021/Medical%20Termination%20of%20Pregnancy%20Amendment%20Act%202021.pdf
[2] Guttamacher Institute. India. Retrieved from : https://www.guttmacher.org/geography/asia/india
[3] Ipas. Clinical Updates in Reproductive Health. 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.ipas.org/clinical-update/english/recommendations-for-abortion-before-13-weeks-gestation/vacuum-aspiration/safety-and-effectiveness/
[4] IPPF. Medical Abortion Commodities Database. Retrieved from: https://www.medab.org/advanced-search-multiple-results?country=334&commodity=all&brand=all#multiple-search-result