Options For Single Women In India For IVF And Surrogacy

The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2021, brought about a revolutionary change in India’s IVF landscape when it came into effect in January 2023. One of the most significant shifts under this new law is the explicit permission for single women, including single mothers and unmarried women, to access IVF treatment. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the details of IVF for single mothers and unmarried women in India and answer all your questions.

IVF for Single Women, Including Single Mothers and Unmarried Women, in India: What You Need to Know

The following are the general requirements for IVF for single women, including single mothers and unmarried women, in India under the new ART law:

What are the restrictions on single women opting for surrogacy?

Single women who want to opt for surrogacy must be between 35-45 years of age and must either be married, divorced, or widowed. If they have one surviving child from an earlier marriage or relationship, they are not allowed to opt for surrogacy.

What is the cost of IVF for single women, including single mothers and unmarried women, in India under the new ART law?

The cost of IVF for single women, including single mothers and unmarried women, in India under the new ART law is like the cost of IVF for couples. The exact cost will vary depending on the type of IVF treatment used, the clinic location, and the patient’s age and health. However, on average, the cost of IVF in India is around US $8,000.

What is the success rate of IVF for single women, including single mothers and unmarried women, in India under the new ART law?

The success rate of IVF for single women, including single mothers and unmarried women, in India under the new ART law is like the success rate for couples. The success rate of IVF depends on several factors, such as the patient’s age, health, and the type of IVF treatment used. However, in general, the success rate of IVF is around 60-80%.

But Surrogacy (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2024, that have been notified by the government, state that the district medical board must certify that either spouse is suffering from such a condition. It further says that “surrogacy using donor gamete is allowed subject to the condition that the child to be born through surrogacy must have at least one gamete from the intending couple”.

It adds, “Single women (widow or divorcee) undergoing surrogacy must use self-eggs and donor sperm to avail surrogacy procedures.”