Read the given passage and answer the following questions:
Intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term is called medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) or induced abortion. Nearly 45 to 50 million MTPs are performed in a year all over the world which accounts to 1/5th of the total number of conceived pregnancies in a year. Whether to accept / legalise MTP or not is being debated upon in many countries due to emotional, ethical, religious and social issues involved in it. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2017 was enacted by the government of India with the intension of reducing the incidence of illegal abortion and consequent maternal mortality and morbidity. According to this Act, a pregnancy may be terminated on certain considered grounds within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy on the opinion of one registered medical practitioner. If the pregnancy has lasted more than 12 weeks, but fewer than 24 weeks, two registered medical practitioners must be of the opinion, formed in good faith, that the required ground exist. The grounds for such termination of pregnancies are: (i) The continuation of the pregnancy would involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman or of grave injury physical or mental health; or (ii There is a substantial risk that of the child were born, it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.
What is required if a pregnancy has lasted more than 12 weeks but fewer than 24 weeks, according to the Act?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The opinion of two registered medical practitioners formed in good faith.
The passage states that “If the pregnancy has lasted more than 12 weeks, but fewer than 24 weeks, two registered medical practitioners must be of the opinion, formed in good faith, that the required ground exist.”
The Act sets two time limits. Up to 12 weeks, the opinion of one registered medical practitioner is enough. Between 12 and 24 weeks, the risk is higher, so the opinion of two practitioners is needed.
Option (1) The opinion of one registered medical practitioner. — Incorrect. One practitioner’s opinion is enough only within the first 12 weeks.
Option (2) The opinion of two registered medical practitioners formed in good faith. — Correct. For a pregnancy of more than 12 but fewer than 24 weeks, two registered medical practitioners must agree in good faith that a ground exists.
Option (3) The consent of the pregnant woman's family. — Incorrect. The Act asks for medical opinion, not the family’s consent.
Option (4) The approval of a legal authority. — Incorrect. No legal authority is named in the Act. The decision rests with registered medical practitioners.