Proposed surrogacy law forbids parenthood for singles

As per The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, couples intending to undertake surrogacy should be legally married for at least five years, should be Indian citizens and must have altruistic reasons. It also specifies the age limit for an infertile couple, where the woman should be aged between 23-50 years and the man between 26-55 years.

Celebrities like Karan Johar and Tusshar Kapoor became single fathers via surrogacy, however, other aspiring singles may face hurdles as a proposed law restricts this method by allowing only legally wedded couples to undertake surrogacy. Several experts, including lawyers and doctors, were of the opinion that the option of surrogacy should be available to single parents and they should have the option to choose anyone who is not a close relative as a surrogate mother.

The proposed legislation virtually bars single couples, single folks, living-in companions and homosexuals from opting children via surrogacy.

In January this year, the Rajya Sabha Chairman had referred the legislation, as introduced in the Lok Sabha in November last year, to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare for in-depth examination. The parliamentary panel has invited suggestions on the legislation from all stakeholders.