Here are the salient features of the proposed bill:

 

•       The Bill will regulate surrogacy by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in states and union territories.

 

•       It proposes complete ban on commercial surrogacy.

 

•       It will allow ethical surrogacy to the needy infertile couples provided at least one of them has been proven to have fertility-related issues.

 

•       No money will be paid to the surrogate mother except for the medical expenses.

 

•       Ban will also be imposed on selling and purchasing of human embryo and gametes.

 

•       Unmarried couples, single parents, live—in partners and homosexuals cannot opt for surrogacy as per the new bill.

 

•       The bill aims for prohibiting potential exploitation of surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy.

 

•       Foreigners and NRIs are barred from commissioning surrogacy in India.

 

Incidents have been reported concerning unethical practices, exploitation of surrogate mothers, abandonment of children born out of surrogacy and racket of intermediaries importing human embryos and gametes. India emerged as a favourable destination for surrogacy and its Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) industry has evolved into a 25-billion rupee business annually, with Law Commission describing it as “a gold pot”. The phenomenal rise in surrogacy in India has been due to it being cheap and socially accepted. Moreover, surrogacy has emerged as a preferred option because of complicated adoption procedures.