Forensic Medicine · Forensic Sexology & Obstetrics

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act

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Definition

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) means termination of pregnancy before completion of the period of gestation permitted by law, by a registered medical practitioner in accordance with the provisions of the MTP Act.

Conditions Under Which Pregnancy May Be Terminated

Up to 20 Weeks of Gestation

Pregnancy may be terminated when:

  1. Therapeutic (Medical) Indication — continuation of pregnancy would involve:
    • Risk to life of pregnant woman.
    • Grave injury to her physical health.
    • Grave injury to her mental health.
  2. Eugenic Indication — substantial risk that the child, if born, would suffer from:
    • Serious physical abnormalities.
    • Serious mental abnormalities.
  3. Humanitarian Indication — pregnancy resulting from rape. The anguish caused by rape is presumed to constitute grave injury to mental health.
  4. Social Indication — failure of contraceptive method/device used by any woman or her partner, resulting in unwanted pregnancy and mental anguish.