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Strengthening PC&PNDT Act

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October 07, 2025

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

Recently, a national-level sensitization meeting convened by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) on strengthening PC&PNDT Act, 1994 implementation.

  • Aim – To strengthen the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PC&PNDT Act).
  • Focused on – Reinforcing the effective implementation of the PC&PNDT Act in view of emerging challenges.
  • Coordinated efforts to address gaps, ensure compliance, and uphold the objectives of the legislation.
  • Emphasis – The act to be not just a legal instrument but a moral and social safeguard against gender-biased sex selection.
    • On prevention Part of the PC&PNDT Act, rather than taking action on act violation.
    • Societal views on having a healthy Child rather than Gender of the child.
    • Upon the directions of the Supreme Court of India, on compliance including the Section 22 of the PC&PNDT Act.

Section 22 of the PC&PNDT Act explicitly prohibits advertisements and promotions related to pre-conception and pre-natal sex determination.

  • Highlights – The country has recorded a positive improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB).

As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2023, the SRB has increased by 18 points from 819 females per 1,000 males during 2016-18 to 917 females per 1,000 males in 2021-23.

  • The National Sex Ratio at Birth for the period 2021-23 thus stands at 917 females per 1,000 males, reflecting the strengthened implementation of the act.
  • Campaign – The session witnessed release of a TVC Video and informative posters developed by the Ministry as part of a 360-degree communication campaign,
    • Theme - JAB LADKA LADKI HEI BARABAR, THO POOCHNA KYOO.

PC&PNDT Act, 1994
  • The PC & PNDT Act, 1994 aims to prevent female foeticide and improve India’s sex ratio.
  • Purpose
    • To stop the practice of sex-selective abortion, a discriminatory and inhuman act against women.
    • To arrest the alarming decline in the sex ratio in India.
    • To prevent the misuse of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for non-medical purposes.
  • Key Provisions and Prohibitions
    • Prohibition of Sex Selection - It is illegal to determine the sex of a foetus before or after conception.
    • Regulation of PNDT Techniques - The Act regulates the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques to detect genetic abnormalities or sex-linked disorders, but not for determining sex.
    • Ban on Sex Determination Tests - Conducting or assisting in tests that determine the sex of a foetus is an offence.
    • Penalties - Offenders can face imprisonment and fines, with penalties increasing for subsequent offences.
    • Violations invite imprisonment up to 3 years and fine of Rs.10,000.
    • Registration and Control - Unregistered units conducting PNDT tests are illegal.
    • Equipment Misuse - Sale, distribution, or renting of ultrasound machines for sex determination is prohibited.
    • Advertising Ban - Advertising pre-natal or pre-conception sex determination services is also an offense.

References

  1. PIB| Strengthening PC&PNDT Act, 1994
  2. PC&PNDT portal

 
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