New Delhi, July 9 (IANS). The National Commission for Women (NCW) has constituted a committee headed by former Delhi High Court judge Asha Menon to review the regulatory framework and laws related to IVF clinics and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centres.
The NCW said the committee will propose standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices for ART clinics and IVF centers to promote ethical treatment practices, standardized clinical protocols and greater transparency in the sector.
The NCW said in a statement that the multidisciplinary composition of the committee has been created to ensure a comprehensive examination of the legal, ethical, medical and administrative issues related to assisted reproductive technologies amid growing concerns over irregularities.
The panel includes experts from the judiciary, medicine, forensic science, law enforcement, gynecology, public policy and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
An NCW statement said the committee will review the implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the relevant amendment rules notified in 2026.
The statement further said that the committee will examine existing safeguards related to consent, privacy and biological traceability, identify regulatory and procedural shortcomings that may foster exploitation or fraud and recommend reforms to strengthen institutional accountability.
The Committee’s recommendations are expected to guide future legal, policy and administrative reforms aimed at strengthening the governance of the ART system, while ensuring that women seeking fertility treatment are protected by strong safeguards at every stage of the process.
NCW reiterated that reproductive health services should be guided by the principles of dignity, informed choice, transparency and accountability and every woman availing assisted reproductive services should be assured of safety, ethical treatment and protection of her rights.
–IANS
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