The Central Government has amended the abortion rules by passing the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021. Now the gestational period for termination of a pregnancy has been increased from 20 weeks to 24 weeks in special cases.
As per the new rules, if a pregnant woman wishes to terminate her pregnancy between 20 and 24 weeks, a State-level medical board would be set up to examine the reports and make a decision.
Women who are survivors of sexual assault, rape or incest, minors, those with physical disabilities, those with mental health issues, cases where foetal malformation that has a substantial risk of being incompatible with life and cases where if the child is born, it may suffer from physical or mental abnormalities and be seriously handicapped will benefit from this amendment.
