According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2017, if the pregnancy has lasted more than 12 weeks, but fewer than 24 weeks, it may be terminated on the recommendation of two government registered medical practitioners. Which one of the followings is not a ground for termination of such pregnancy?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The economic condition of the family is not good, and it can not bear the burden of an upcoming child.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2017 allows a pregnancy to be ended on certain grounds. Up to 12 weeks the opinion of one registered medical practitioner is enough. Between 12 and 24 weeks, two practitioners must form the opinion in good faith that the ground exists. NCERT gives two grounds: a risk to the woman, and a serious handicap in the child.
(1) The continuation of the pregnancy would involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman. — A ground for termination. This is the first ground.
(2) The continuation of the pregnancy would involve a grave injury, and may cause a risk of physical or mental health of the pregnant woman. — A ground for termination. This is also part of the first ground, grave injury to physical or mental health.
(3) The economic condition of the family is not good, and it can not bear the burden of an upcoming child. — Not a ground for termination. It is not among the grounds listed for such pregnancies.
(4) 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. — A ground for termination. This is the second ground.
NCERT Extract:
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “… 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.”