Lok Sabha Question No. 1076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Sex Determination
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Arup Chakraborty

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1076 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## SEX DETERMINATION

1076: SHRI ARUP CHAKRABORTY:

Will the MINISTER of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any measures to ascertain whether pre-natal sex determination is still a widely practiced technique in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said technique is also a reason for abortion and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to put an end to this ill practice and the punishments conferred on medical centres which continue to offer these services in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL )

- (a) and (b): The Government of India has enacted the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 for awareness generation and advocacy measures to build a positive environment for the girl child through gender-sensitive policies, provisions and legislation.

Sex-selective abortions under the PC&PNDT Act, 1994, amount to cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offence.

- (c) . The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare implements the PC&PNDT Act, 1994 across the country. Some of the key action points are provided below:
-  Under the National Health Mission (NHM), the Ministry provides financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen implementation of the PC&PNDT Act.
-  Nodal Agency constituted to monitor & facilitate the removal of online advertisements violating the provisions of the Act.
-  Sensitization and capacity building activities of States & UTs are held regularly.
-  Information, Education & Communication (IEC) and advocacy activities undertaken to promote behavioural change and gender equality.
-  National Girl Child Day, International Day of the Girl Child, and International

Women's Day observed every year across the country to create public awareness.

-  Regular review & assessment through various institutional mechanisms like Common Review Mission visits, National Inspection & Monitoring Committee visits carried out by the Centre in coordination with States.

As per the PC&PNDT Act, 1994, the applicable penal provisions are provided below:

-  Section 22(3) prohibits advertisement relating to pre-conception or pre-natal sex determination; violation attracts imprisonment up to three years & fine up to ₹10,000.
-  Section 23(1) provides that any medical professional or centre contravening the Act (including conducting sex selection/sex determination) is liable for imprisonment up to three years & fine up to ₹10,000 for the first offence, with higher penalties for subsequent offences, including imprisonment up to five years & fine up to ₹50,000.
-  Section 23(2) provides for reporting of the medical practitioner's name to State Medical Council for action including suspension upon framing of charges, and on conviction, removal for five years for the first offence and permanent removal for subsequent offences.
-  Section 23(3) provides for punishment for any person seeking sex selection or unauthorized use of prenatal diagnostic techniques, imprisonment up to three years & fine up to ₹50,000 for the first offence; up to five years & fine up to ₹1 lakh for subsequent offences.
-  Section 25 provides for punishment for other contraventions of the Act/Rules with imprisonment up to three months and fine up to ₹1,000, with enhanced penalties for repeat offences.

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