PolitySocial Justice
News 0 of 27

SC & HC on MTP Act: 24-Week Limit, AIIMS as Nodal Body, Advanced Abortion as 'Foeticide'

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
30 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:24 weeksMTP Act
Bodies:Supreme Court of IndiaDelhi High CourtAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Centre and AIIMS have argued in courts against abortions beyond the MTP Act's 24-week limit, advocating for carrying the foetus to full term and adoption, terming late-term termination as 'foeticide'.

2.Judicial decisions vary, with some courts, including the Supreme Court, denying termination based on this argument, while others, considering medical advice on risks to the mother, have allowed it even after 30 weeks.

3.This creates a critical exam angle on the conflict between statutory limits under the MTP Act, the role of medical boards, and judicial interpretation of rights in cases of rape, minor survivors, and advanced pregnancies.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This analysis examines the judiciary's evolving stance on the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, particularly beyond the 24-week limit. The Centre and AIIMS have argued against late-term abortions, terming them 'foeticide', while courts weigh this against the rights and health of survivors, especially minors and rape victims.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

MTP Act Limit24 weeks
Nodal Medical BodyAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Key Legal Argument"Akin to foeticide"
Post-24 Week ConditionSubstantial foetal abnormality required

1-Minute Revision

  • ›MTP Act Limit: 24 weeks
  • ›Nodal Medical Body: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
  • ›Target this Data: 24 weeks (MTP Act limit for standard termination)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: MTP Act requires a medical board post 24 weeks for 'substantial foetal abnormality'

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which institution has been assigned by the Supreme Court as the nodal medical body for examining abortion-related cases, as per the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act as discussed in the article:

1. The Act allows termination of pregnancy up to 24 weeks on the advice of doctors.

2. For termination beyond 24 weeks, the Act mandates setting up a medical board only in cases of rape or incest.

3. The Centre and AIIMS have argued in court that termination of advanced pregnancy is 'akin to foeticide'.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, what is the standard gestation limit up to which termination is generally permitted on the advice of doctors?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary argument presented by the Centre and AIIMS in courts against permitting abortions beyond the 24-week statutory limit, as per the article?

All 25 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Health Ministry Backs Same-Sex Partners' Medical Decision Rights Under Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

The Union Health Ministry has told the Delhi High Court that excluding same-sex partners from making medical decisions for each other solely based on sexual orientation is unethical. This marks a significant administrative shift, though the government maintains that 'spouse' under Indian marriage laws only applies to heterosexual couples, creating a nuanced legal landscape for exam aspirants.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Proposes Exempting Current Class 6 from Three-Language Policy; Centre Seeks More Time

The Supreme Court has proposed exempting the current Class 6 batch from the mandatory three-language policy, suggesting implementation from January 1, 2027. The Centre has sought more time to decide, while the court has asked for details on teacher availability and infrastructure.

Polity Current Affairs

SC's 76-Year Journey: Reforms at Magistracy Level Needed for Judicial Overhaul

A former Delhi High Court judge critiques the Indian judiciary's performance over 76 years, highlighting issues like eviction of poor without rehabilitation, failure to curb extra-legal punishments, and delay in upholding progressive judgments. The article argues that meaningful judicial reform must begin at the magisterial level, focusing on mentoring, mental health support, and performance evaluation reforms.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Seeks Replies on NRC ID Cards: 3.11 Crore Await Documents, 19 Lakh Excluded

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and Assam government to respond to pleas seeking issuance of identity cards to 3.11 crore people included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) 2019, while another 19 lakh excluded persons await the appeal process. This case is critical for exam aspirants as it tests knowledge of the Citizenship Act, NRC process, and Assam Accord provisions.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Proposes Special Courts for CBI & NIA Cases on Manipur Ethnic Violence; 891 Witnesses Yet to Testify

The Supreme Court has proposed setting up exclusive Special Courts to hear cases related to the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence investigated by the CBI and NIA, highlighting the slow pace of trials. With 891 out of 904 witnesses yet to be examined and serious charges including sexual violence, this move aims to expedite justice. For exam aspirants, this links to judicial administration, Article 14 (speedy trial), and the role of special courts under the NIA Act.

Polity Current Affairs

Delhi HC Releases 2 Life Convicts Citing Chekhov; SRB Rejection 'Arbitrary' Under Article 21

The Delhi High Court ordered the release of two life-term convicts, holding that prolonged imprisonment 'kills slowly' and that Sentence Review Boards cannot reject early release pleas based on stereotyped reasoning. The judgment reinforces Article 21 rights and sets important guidelines for evaluating post-conviction conduct.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Forms HPEC Led by Justice R Subhash Reddy to Probe Police Excesses During NEET Protests

The Supreme Court has constituted a High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), led by former SC judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, to investigate the alleged disproportionate use of force by police against protesters at Jantar Mantar and other locations during the NEET-UG paper leak protests. The panel will examine 12 critical issues including use of pellet guns, targeting of female protesters, and the misuse of legal provisions like Section 163 BNSS and Section 152 BNS.

Polity Current Affairs

Election Commission's SIR Deletes 13 Crore Names from Draft Rolls; Raises Questions on Population & Voting Rights

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to the deletion of 13 crore names from draft rolls, including nearly one-third of Delhi's electorate. This article by a former Chief Election Commissioner uses satire to highlight the absurdity of treating electoral roll deletions as a solution to India's population problem, while drawing parallels with the Assam NRC and warning of potential disenfranchisement of eligible citizens.