Sec 1 to 2 Chapter I (Preliminary) The Pre-Conception And Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994

1. ¹Short title, extent and commencement.—

(1) This Act may be called ² [the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection)] Act, 1994.

(2) It shall extend to the whole of India ³ ***.

(3) It shall come into force on such date⁴ as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

(1. Subs. by Act 14 of 2003, s. 2, for the long title (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).

(2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse)” (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).

(3. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31-10-2019).

(4. 1st January, 1996, vide notification No. S.O. 990, dated 21st December, 1995, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii).

2. Definitions.—

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “Appropriate Authority” means the Appropriate Authority appointed under section 17;

(b) “Board” means the Central Supervisory Board constituted under section 7;

⁵ [(ba) “conceptus” means any product of conception at any stage of development from fertilisation until birth including extra embryonic membranes as well as the embryo or foetus;

(bb) “embryo” means a developing human organism after fertilisation till the end of eight weeks (fifty-six days);

(bc) “foetus” means a human organism during the period of its development beginning on the fifty-seventh day following fertilisation or creation (excluding any time in which its development has been suspended) and ending at the birth;]

(c) “Genetic Counselling Centre” means an institute, hospital, nursing home or any place, by whatever name called, which provides for genetic counselling to patients;

(d) “Genetic Clinic” means a clinic, institute, hospital, nursing home or any place, by whatever name called, which is used for conducting pre-natal diagnostic procedures.

⁶ [Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “Genetic Clinic” includes a vehicle, where ultrasound machine or imaging machine or scanner or other equipment capable of determining sex of the foetus or a portable equipment which has the potential for detection of sex during pregnancy or selection of sex before conception, is used;]

(e) “Genetic Laboratory” means a laboratory and includes a place where facilities are provided for conducting analysis or tests of samples received from Genetic Clinic for pre-natal diagnostic test.

⁶ [Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “Genetic Laboratory” includes a place where ultrasound machine or imaging machine or scanner or other equipment capable of determining sex of the foetus or a portable equipment which has the potential for detection of sex during pregnancy or selection of sex before conception, is used;]

(5. Ins. by Act 14 of 2003, s. 4 (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).

(6. Added by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).

(f) “gynaecologist” means a person who possesses a post-graduate qualification in gynaecology and obstetrics;

¹ [(g) “medical geneticist” includes a person who possesses a degree or diploma in genetic science in the fields of sex selection and pre-natal diagnostic techniques or has experience of not less than two years in any of these fields after obtaining—

(i) any one of the medical qualifications recognised under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956); or 

(ii) a post-graduate degree in biological sciences;]

(h) “paediatrician” means a person who possesses a post-graduate qualification in paediatrics;

_² [(i) “pre-natal diagnostic procedures” means all gynaecological or obstetrical or medical procedures such as ultrasonography, foetoscopy, taking or removing samples of amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, embryo, blood or any other tissue or fluid of a man, or of a woman before or after conception, for being sent to a Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic for conducting any type of analysis or pre-natal diagnostic tests for selection of sex before or after conception;]

(j) “pre-natal diagnostic techniques” includes all pre-natal diagnostic procedures and pre-natal diagnostic tests;

³ [(k) “pre-natal diagnostic test” means ultrasonography or any test or analysis of amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, blood or any tissue or fluid of a pregnant woman or conceptus conducted to detect genetic or metabolic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities or congenital anomalies or haemoglobinopathies or sex- linked diseases;]

(l) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(m) “registered medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner who possesses any recognised medical qualification as defined in clause (h) of section 2 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), and whose name has been entered in a State Medical Register;

(n) “regulations” means regulations framed by the Board under this Act;

⁴ [(o) “sex selection” includes any procedure, technique, test or administration or prescription or provision of anything for the purpose of ensuring or increasing the probability that an embryo will be of a particular sex;

(p) “sonologist or imaging specialist” means a person who possesses any one of the medical qualifications recognised under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956) or who possesses a post-graduate qualification in ultrasonography or imaging techniques or radiology;

(q) “State Board” means a State Supervisory Board or a Union territory Supervisory Board constituted under section 16A;

(r) “State Government” in relation to Union territory with Legislature means the Administrator of that Union territory appointed by the President under article 239 of the Constitution.]

1. Subs. by Act 14 of 2003, s. 4, for clause (g) (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).

(2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (i) (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).

(3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (k) (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).

(4. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-2-2003).