Centre notifies new rules allowing abortion till 24 weeks of pregnancy in case of minors, rape survivors

The central government has notified new rules allowing abortion till 24 weeks of pregnancy in the case of rape survivors and women with physical disabilities, among others.

The government has notified new rules under which the gestational limit for termination of a pregnancy has been increased from 20 to 24 weeks for certain categories of women.

According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Rules, 2021, these categories include survivors of sexual assault or rape or incest, minors, women whose marital status changes during an ongoing pregnancy (widowhood and divorce) and those with physical disabilities.