Surrogacy
Cost in Delhi

Surrogacy offers hope to many couples who are unable to conceive on their own. For intended parents, having a clear understanding of the surrogacy cost in Delhi helps in planning the journey with confidence. The process involves not only medical procedures but also legal formalities and emotional commitment.

Before moving forward, it is essential to be fully aware of how surrogacy works, the legal requirements involved, and the overall responsibilities associated with the process so that better decisions can be made.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman, known as a surrogate mother, carries and gives birth to a baby for another couple. It is usually considered by couples who are unable to conceive naturally due to certain medical conditions that prevent pregnancy or childbirth.

Types of Surrogacy

Altruistic Surrogacy (Allowed):

In altruistic surrogacy, the surrogate mother does not receive any financial payment. She is reimbursed only for permitted medical expenses and insurance coverage as laid down by law. This form of surrogacy is legally permitted in India and is aimed at preventing commercial exploitation.

Commercial Surrogacy (Not Allowed):

Commercial surrogacy involves providing the surrogate mother with financial benefits beyond approved medical and pregnancy-related costs. Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, commercial surrogacy is completely banned in India. Any monetary incentive, reward, or benefit offered in such arrangements is unlawful and subject to legal penalties.

Legal Framework Governing Surrogacy in India

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 lays down several important provisions to regulate surrogacy in India, which include the following:

Ban on Commercial Surrogacy:

  • The Act permits only altruistic surrogacy and strictly prohibits any form of commercial surrogacy. A surrogate mother cannot receive any payment other than approved medical expenses and insurance coverage.

Requirements for Intended Parents:

  • Must be Indian citizens
  • Must be a legally married heterosexual couple
  • Marriage duration should be at least five years
  • The intending couple is required to obtain certificates of medical indication, essentiality, and eligibility from a registered medical practitioner, confirming their inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy naturally

Conditions for Surrogate Mothers:

  • Must be between 25 and 35 years of age at the time of embryo implantation
  • Must be a known to the intending couple
  • Must be an ever-married/widowed/ divorced woman with at least one biological child
  • Use of her own egg is not permitted
  • A woman can serve as a surrogate mother only once in her lifetime
  • A valid certificate of medical and psychological fitness from a registered medical practitioner is mandatory before any surrogacy procedure

Eligibility Criteria for Intended Parents

Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, intending parents must fulfill specific eligibility conditions before opting for surrogacy in India. The law clearly outlines the following requirements:

  • Marital Status: The intending couple must be legally married for a minimum period of five years.
  • Age Criteria: The male partner should be between 26 and 55 years of age, while the female partner must be between 23 and 50 years.
  • Medical Criteria: The couple is required to obtain certificates of medical indication, essentiality, and eligibility from a registered medical practitioner, confirming their inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy on their own.
  • Nationality: Surrogacy is permitted only for Indian citizens under the provisions of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

Eligibility Requirements for Surrogate Mothers

Choosing to become a surrogate mother involves important responsibilities, and the law sets specific conditions that must be fulfilled. These include the following:

  • Non-Commercial Participation:

The surrogate mother must participate purely on an altruistic basis, without receiving any financial benefit, as commercial surrogacy is prohibited.

  • Age and Marital Background:

She must fall within the age group of 25 to 35 years and should be an ever-married/ widowed/ divorced woman.

  • Motherhood Experience:

The surrogate must have at least one biological child of her own and should be known to the intending couple.

  • Medical and Psychological Fitness:

Valid certificates confirming physical and mental fitness must be obtained from an authorised medical professional before proceeding.

  • Limit on Surrogacy Participation:

A woman is allowed to act as a surrogate only once during her lifetime, and the number of embryo transfer attempts must not exceed three.

Surrogacy Cost in Delhi

The cost of surrogacy in Delhi depends on several medical, legal, and regulatory factors and varies from case to case. Since only altruistic surrogacy is permitted in India under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, no commercial payment is allowed to the surrogate mother. 

The overall expenses are primarily related to medical procedures, surrogate care, and insurance coverage required to complete surrogacy in a safe manner. The final cost is influenced by individual medical needs, treatment complexity, clinic protocols, and statutory requirements.

Final Words

Starting surrogacy in Delhi requires careful planning and strict legal compliance. The Surrogacy Cost in Delhi depends on medical care, legal requirements, and permitted surrogate-related expenses. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 allows only altruistic surrogacy, with no financial compensation beyond medical and insurance costs. So, consulting qualified medical and legal professionals is important to ensure a safe surrogacy journey.