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Mumbai
OVERVIEW
Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Emergency Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Medication & Vaccines
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Menstruation
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Gynecological Exams
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
STD Tests
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Pregnancy
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Abortion
Laws & Social Stigmas
In India, abortion is permitted, under certain circumstances, for up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, abortion is permitted under the following circumstances: to save the life of the woman, to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, rape or incest, fetal impairment or failure of contraceptive device. According to some sources, it is also available for economic or social reasons, but this has been difficult to verify. Overall, failure of contraceptive device is reported as the most common reason used by women in India.[1]
There are additional restrictions based on permission and facilities. If the woman is a minor (under 18 years old) or mentally disabled, she must obtain the written consent of her guardians. The abortion must be performed by a registered physician. Furthermore, the abortion must be performed in a hospital that is established or maintained by the Indian government or in a facility that is approved for such purposed by the Indian government. If the woman is between 12-20 weeks of pregnancy, a second professional opinion is required to approve the abortion, except in extremely rare and urgent cases.
Historically, until the 1970s, abortion was generally illegal (i.e. only permitted to save a woman's life). But Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, enacted in 1972, significantly liberalized abortion in India.