The National Commission for Women (NCW), under the chairpersonship of Smt Vijaya Rahatkar, convened the first meeting of the Expert Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), IVF Clinics and Protection of Women’s Reproductive Rights on 21 July 2026.
According to the NCW, the meeting marked the commencement of the committee’s deliberations to examine the ethical, legal, regulatory and medical aspects of ART and IVF services, with a focus on safeguarding women’s reproductive rights.
The meeting was attended by Justice (Retd.) Asha Menon, Chairperson of the Committee; Sundari Nanda, Retired IPS Officer; Dr Archana Majumdar, Former Member, National Commission for Women; Dr Shipra Dhar, Member, Advisory Committee, National Commission for Women; Mahalakshmi Pavani, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Dr Sarvesh Tandon, Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, Safdarjung Hospital; Dr Neeta Singh, Gynaecologist, AIIMS, New Delhi; Dr Nayana Sahasrabudhe, Social Worker; Dr Rajnikant Contractor, Gynaecologist, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI); and Kanchan Khattar, Senior Coordinator, National Commission for Women and Member-Convener of the Committee.
The meeting was also attended by Richa Saxena, Scientist C, ART and Surrogacy Division, Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, representing the Ministry.
According to the NCW, the meeting brought together experts from the judiciary, medicine, law, public administration and the social sector. Members shared suggestions and perspectives on challenges in the ART and IVF ecosystem and discussed the need for a regulatory framework covering rights, regulation and accountability.
To facilitate examination of different aspects of ART and IVF services, the Expert Committee constituted three thematic groups with specific areas of study and recommendations.
According to the NCW, the Ethical Group will examine issues relating to informed consent, reproductive autonomy, privacy and confidentiality, donor management, embryo-related matters, prevention of exploitation and other ethical issues concerning the protection of women’s reproductive rights.
The Legislative and Regulatory Group will review the existing legal and regulatory framework governing ART and IVF services, assess implementation mechanisms, identify regulatory and enforcement gaps, and recommend legal, institutional and policy reforms.
The Medical and Preventive Group will examine clinical protocols, laboratory practices, patient safety measures, quality standards, record maintenance, biological traceability, preventive safeguards, and national and international practices relating to ART and IVF services.