According to NCERT, which of the following could reverse the unhealth…

The correct answer is Option (2) → Effective counselling on avoiding unprotected coitus and the risks of illegal abortions, with more health care facilities

A majority of MTPs are performed illegally by unqualified quacks, which is unsafe and can even be fatal. NCERT says this unhealthy trend could be reversed by effective counselling on the need to avoid unprotected coitus and on the risk factors of illegal abortions, along with more health care facilities.

Option (1) Performing more MTPs in the second trimester instead of the first trimester — Incorrect. Second trimester abortions are much more risky than those in the first trimester. Moving MTPs to the second trimester would make them less safe.

Option (2) Effective counselling on avoiding unprotected coitus and the risks of illegal abortions, with more health care facilities — Correct. This is the remedy NCERT gives for the trend of illegal MTPs.

Option (3) Wider use of amniocentesis during the first trimester of pregnancy — Incorrect. Misuse of amniocentesis to find the sex of the unborn child is itself a dangerous trend linked to illegal MTP. Using it more widely would not help.

Option (4) Statutory raising of the marriageable age of the female and the male — Incorrect. Raising the marriageable age is a measure taken to check population growth. NCERT does not give it as a way to stop illegal MTPs.

NCERT Extract:
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) – “… One disturbing trend observed is that a majority of the MTPs are performed illegally by unqualified quacks which are not only unsafe but could be fatal too. … Such practices should be avoided because these are dangerous both for the young mother and the foetus. Effective counselling on the need to avoid unprotected coitus and the risk factors involved in illegal abortions as well as providing more health care facilities could reverse the mentioned unhealthy trend.”