Which among these aims to stop sex-selective abortion?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (Regulation)
Option (2) Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (Regulation) — Correct. Ultra-sound technology made it possible to find out the sex of a baby early in pregnancy and to abort female foetuses. The Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act bans this practice, with heavy fines and imprisonment as punishment. It has been in force since 1996 and was further strengthened in 2003.
NCERT (2025-26): “2.4 The Declining Sex-ratio in India … Sometimes economically prosperous families decide to have fewer children – often only one or two now – they may also wish to choose the sex of their child. This becomes possible with the availablity of ultra-sound technology, although the government has passed strict laws banning this practice and imposing heavy fines and imprisonment as punishment. Known as the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, this law has been in force since 1996, and has been further strengthened in 2003.…” |