Medical termination of pregnancy act, 1971 and a critical review of various amendments

Abstract

Abortion was illegal in India under the IPC, and only women were to blame for the crime. A first step toward legalising abortion is the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971. By facilitating legal abortions performed by skilled professionals, the primary goal is to reduce deaths and injuries caused by unsafe abortions. As soon as pregnancy is detected, a medical abortion can be performed by taking medicine. The Lok Sabha has received a measure that would raise the age restriction for mother-fetal termination (MTP) from 20 to 24 weeks. The greatest amount of time that should pass before a pregnancy should not be terminated is not specified by the World Health Organization. The MTP Bill, 2018 proposed raising the maximum sentence for rape victims to 27 weeks. The 2021 amendment act extended the window to 24 weeks and prioritised the safety of the mother's life over the rights of the unborn child.