National Commission for Women Sets Up Expert Panel to Review IVF, ART Regulations

Amid growing concerns over unethical practices in India's rapidly expanding fertility industry, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has constituted a high-level expert committee to review the country's regulatory framework governing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) clinics, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centres and gamete banks . The move marks the first comprehensive review of the sector since the enactment of the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 , underscoring the government's focus on strengthening oversight while safeguarding the reproductive rights, dignity and safety of women .

The committee will be chaired by Justice (Retd.) Asha Menon , former judge of the Delhi High Court , and comprises experts from the judiciary, medicine, gynaecology, forensic science, law enforcement, public policy and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare . According to the NCW, the multidisciplinary panel will undertake a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory framework governing fertility treatment and recommend reforms to improve transparency, accountability and patient protection.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing fertility treatment destinations in Asia, driven by rising infertility, delayed parenthood, lifestyle-related reproductive issues, increasing awareness of assisted reproductive technologies and growing medical tourism. ART covers a wide range of fertility treatments, including IVF, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), egg and embryo freezing, sperm and egg donation, gamete banking and fertility preservation . While the sector has significantly expanded access to reproductive healthcare, its rapid commercial growth has also raised concerns over inconsistent treatment standards and weak regulatory enforcement.

The NCW noted that although registration under the National ART and Surrogacy Registry is mandatory for all ART clinics and gamete banks, regulatory compliance alone has not been sufficient to curb unethical practices. It pointed to concerns over unnecessary IVF procedures, inadequate counselling, weak informed consent practices, financial exploitation, inconsistent treatment protocols across states, poor biological traceability of donor material and privacy risks involving reproductive health data .

The Commission also flagged the rise of fertility-related medical tourism , warning that cross-border treatment could potentially be used to circumvent India's legal safeguards, including those aimed at preventing sex selection . It said the absence of uniform clinical standards across states highlights the need for stronger oversight to protect women from unnecessary medical interventions and inconsistent quality of care.

The expert panel will review the implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 , the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 , and the Amendment Rules notified in 2026 . It will examine existing safeguards relating to informed consent, patient privacy and biological traceability , identify legal and procedural gaps that could enable exploitation or fraudulent practices, and recommend measures to strengthen institutional accountability.

In addition, the committee will propose Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices for IVF clinics and ART centres to promote ethical treatment, standardised clinical protocols, transparent pricing, improved documentation and stronger monitoring mechanisms across the country. The recommendations are also expected to strengthen patient grievance redressal systems and pave the way for future legal and policy reforms.

Reaffirming its commitment to a rights-based approach to reproductive healthcare , the NCW said fertility treatment must be guided by the principles of dignity, informed choice, transparency and accountability , ensuring every woman seeking assisted reproductive services receives safe, ethical and quality care. The panel includes former IPS officer Sundari Nanda , former NCW member Archana Majumdar , Dr Shipra Dhar , senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani , Dr Sarvesh Tandon of Safdarjung Hospital , AIIMS gynaecologist Dr Neeta Singh , social worker Dr Nayana Sahasrabuddhe , Dr Rajnikant Contractor of FOGSI , a nominee from the Health Ministry's ART Division and NCW senior coordinator Kanchan Khattar . Their recommendations are expected to shape the next phase of governance for India's rapidly evolving fertility ecosystem.