Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021 in India, the upper gestational limit for MTP has been increased for specific categories. For a woman whose pregnancy results from contraceptive failure (married or unmarried), what is the current permissible gestational limit?
- A 24 weeks—requires opinion of two RMPs and falls under the expanded vulnerable categories ✓
- B 12 weeks—requires opinion of one registered medical practitioner (RMP)
- C 20 weeks—requires opinion of one RMP
- D 28 weeks—requires approval from state medical board
Explanation
The MTP (Amendment) Act 2021 expanded the upper gestational limit from 20 to 24 weeks for specific vulnerable categories who now require opinion of two registered medical practitioners. These categories include: rape survivors, victims of incest, minors, differently-abled women (physical/mental disability), women with change in marital status (widowhood, divorce), women in emergency/humanitarian settings, and women with contraceptive failure (both married and unmarried—a key expansion from the original married-only provision). The basic framework remains: up to 20 weeks requires one RMP opinion; 20–24 weeks for vulnerable categories requires two RMPs; beyond 24 weeks only if substantial fetal abnormalities are detected by Medical Board.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.