TL;DR: Hyderabad’s illegal surrogacy racket exposed deep-rooted exploitation in India’s fertility sector. As infertility stigma drives demand, strict regulation is vital to protect families, donors, and surrogates from commercialisation and ensure ethical, accountable reproductive healthcare across the country.

Context

A major illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket posing as fertility treatment has surfaced in Hyderabad. In response, a three-member panel led by the Health Commissioner has been set up to inspect all private In vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility centres in the state. The committee will scrutinize compliance with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act and Surrogacy Act, verify clinic registrations and patient consent, and investigate past complaints, while also identifying victims, donors, surrogates, and intended parents. In light of this regulatory intervention, examining the broader landscape of India's ART and surrogacy sector becomes particularly relevant.

Who compiles this data?

The data on the state-wise Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Banks/Clinics and Surrogacy Clinics Registered and Rejected is maintained on the National ART and Surrogacy Portal.

Where can I download clean & structured data related to ART Banks/Clinics and Surrogacy Clinics?

Clean, structured, and ready-to-use datasets related to State-wise registered and rejected ART Banks/Clinics and Surrogacy Clinics can be downloaded from Dataful.

What is the difference between ART Clinics, ART Banks and Surrogacy Clinics?

Each plays a distinct role in the assisted reproduction journey. While ART Clinics focus on fertility diagnostics and treatments, ART Banks handle donor screening and storage. Surrogacy Clinics, being more comprehensive, may provide IVF services, coordinate surrogacy procedures, and include the functions of both ART Clinics and Banks.

Here's a breakdown of their key roles:

Key Insights

• ART Clinics: Of the 6,985 applications received, 2,592 clinics have been registered while 161 applications were rejected.

• ART Banks: Out of 1,717 applications, 635 have been registered and 77 rejected.

• Surrogacy Clinics: 1,207 applications have been received, with 555 registrations and 30 rejections.

Why does it matter?

In India, parenthood is often seen as a natural outcome of marriage, making infertility a source of stigma and silence. ART and surrogacy offer hope to countless couples, helping them build the families they long for. The Hyderabad case is a stark reminder of how easily hope can be exploited. To protect families, donors, and surrogates, governments must ensure these technologies are not commercialised or commodified, and that safe, ethical practices are upheld through strict compliance and regular monitoring.