Family
Abortion refused or delayed, consent demanded from husband or family, or illegal sex determination
An adult woman, married or not, can end a pregnancy up to 20 weeks on one doctor’s opinion, and up to 24 weeks in listed situations such as rape or a minor. Only her consent is needed — not her husband’s or family’s.
Answer a few questions and get your list →What the law says
Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended in 2021), a pregnancy can be ended by a registered medical practitioner up to 20 weeks on one doctor’s opinion, and from 20 to 24 weeks on two doctors’ opinion for categories listed in the rules — including survivors of rape or incest, minors, a change in marital status, women with disabilities, and foetal malformation. Beyond 24 weeks it is allowed for substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by a Medical Board, and women can approach the High Court in other cases. The Supreme Court held in 2022 that unmarried women have the same rights as married women under the Act. Only the woman’s consent is required; a guardian’s consent is needed only if she is under 18 or mentally ill. Her identity must be kept confidential (s.5A). For a minor, doctors must report under POCSO, but the Supreme Court has said the girl’s name need not be disclosed in that report. Sex determination and sex selection are crimes under the PCPNDT Act, 1994.
General information, not legal advice.
Papers that usually help
- Ultrasound report showing the weeks of pregnancy
The time limits depend on it. - Your ID with date of birth
An adult needs no one else’s consent. - Name of the doctor or hospital that refused, the date, and what reason was given
Needed for a complaint or a High Court petition. - FIR or complaint copy (if the pregnancy is from rape)
Helps show the 20–24 week category; the police must not delay medical care. - Medical Board report (for over 24 weeks)
Required beyond 24 weeks. - A short dated note of who is pressuring you and what they said or did
Forcing an abortion is a crime; also useful for a domestic violence case. - Clinic name, address, person who offered the test, date, and any message or payment proof
For a complaint to the district Appropriate Authority under the PCPNDT Act. - List of government hospitals near you that provide MTP services
Government hospitals provide abortion care free or at low cost.
Questions Saboot will ask you
- What is the problem?
- How many weeks pregnant?
- Do any of these apply?
- Are you 18 or older?
Sources
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended in 2021) — sections 3 and 5A
- Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994
Common situations
- Doctor refused an abortion because I am unmarried
- Hospital demands my husband’s consent for an abortion
- Pregnant after rape — need an abortion urgently
- Pregnancy is past 24 weeks and the baby has a serious problem
- In-laws are forcing me to abort because it is a girl
- A clinic offered to tell the baby’s sex
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