A 20-year-old woman presents at 10 weeks gestation requesting termination under the MTP Act of India (amended 2021). Her partner requests she not have the procedure. What is the correct legal position?

• A Partner's consent is legally required as both parents share equal rights to the pregnancy
• B Partner's consent is required if married; not required if unmarried
• C Partner's consent is not required — only the woman's consent is required under the MTP Act ✓
• D Guardian consent is required in addition to woman's own consent at 10 weeks

Explanation

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of India (1971, amended 2021) requires only the consent of the pregnant woman herself. No spousal, partner, or guardian consent is required for a competent adult woman. The 2021 amendment further expanded access: gestation limit for single provider increased from 12 to 20 weeks, gestation limit for two-provider opinion extended from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories (survivors of rape, minors, women with physical/mental disabilities, change of marital status mid-pregnancy). The MTP Act explicitly does not require spousal consent — this is a key medico-legal point for NEET PG.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.