Legal Framework Concerning Abortion In India

Soumya Lenka, University Law college, Utkal University

ABSTRACT

An authenticated attempt to study the contemporary abortion laws with special emphasis on the stance of Indian constitution in this regard, Shantilal committee report which led to the enactment of Medical termination of pregnancy act,1971 and the aftermath. The study primarily focuses its attention on decoding the existing interdictions associated with the act of abortion in India. Efforts are also made to demarcate the sphere of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971 along with the (Amendment)Act, 2021 with the endeavor to understand as to how the recently made amendment can contribute to protecting the reproductive health of the women. The study also touches upon other legislations and initiatives like the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, National Mass Media Campaign of 2014, Comprehensive Abortion Care-Service Delivery and Training Guidelines of 2018 etc to provide a more comprehensive analysis. Research Methodology: The author has employed doctrinal research methodology thereby making use of the existing qualitative data. The present study aims to uncover the legal technicalities involved in the present abortion laws along with the objective of laying down certain practical suggestions which can facilitate and improve the present system.

Keywords: abortion, MTP Act, female, pregnancy.