New IVF Rule in Haryana: Government Permission Needed if You Already Have a Daughter

The Haryana government has introduced a new IVF rule in Haryana for couples planning to have a second child through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). If their first child is a girl, they must now seek official permission from the government before proceeding with IVF.

This directive was issued by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department to control misuse of IVF and prevent sex-selective practices, which have been a concern in the state for years.

Mandatory Approval from District Authority

According to the order, couples must submit an application to the District Appropriate Authority (DAA). This application must include:

• Birth certificate(s) of the existing child(ren)
• Medical records related to childbirth or abortion
• A valid reason for choosing IVF

Who Needs Permission?

This new IVF rule in Haryana applies to:

• Couples who already have one or more daughters
• Couples who already have one son and one daughter

The objective is to prevent the misuse of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for gender selection, especially favoring male embryos.

Role of DAA and Officials

• The Deputy Commissioner of each district acts as the DAA Chairperson
• The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) serves as the Member Secretary
• DAA will review all IVF applications and monitor local IVF clinics

This authority also enforces laws like the PCPNDT Act (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) which prohibits revealing the gender of unborn babies.

Strict Action Against Violators

IVF clinics that ignore or violate the new order will face:

• Penalties under the PCPNDT Act
• License cancellation
• Criminal prosecution

Health Secretary Sudhir Rajpal emphasized the need for strict surveillance of IVF cases to eliminate the possibility of gender bias in reproductive treatments.

Why This New IVF Rule in Haryana Was Introduced?

The state’s sex ratio at birth declined from 916 in 2023 to 910 in 2024, raising concerns of gender imbalance. Haryana has a history of female foeticide cases, and authorities are taking preventive steps to avoid such practices from re-emerging via IVF technology.

One major concern is Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) — a method used during IVF to screen embryos. While it is meant to check for genetic diseases, it can also reveal the gender of the embryo, leading to possible illegal gender-based selection.

Health Department Surveillance and Monthly Reports

All IVF clinics in Haryana must now submit monthly reports to the Health Department. These reports help monitor:

• Number of procedures
• Demographics of applicants
• IVF outcomes

Any clinic found practicing unethical selection or suppressing data will be investigated.

State Task Force (STF) to Conduct Weekly Raids

The State Task Force (STF) has instructed each district to conduct at least 10 raids per week targeting:

• Illegal abortion centers
• Unlicensed medical practitioners (especially those with BAMS degrees) suspected of illegal terminations

CMOs have been directed to submit weekly reports, and stronger coordination has been called between health departments, police, and district administrations.

Can This Improve the Sex Ratio?

According to the latest data (as of July 7, 2025), Haryana’s current sex ratio is:

904 girls per 1,000 boys

In 2024, 13 out of 22 districts saw a decline in this ratio. The government hopes that with tighter IVF regulations, the declining trend can be reversed and the momentum of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign is not lost.

Final Words

The IVF rule in Haryana reflects the government’s serious intent to protect the gender balance in society. While some may find the rule intrusive, officials argue it’s a necessary move to stop modern methods from enabling old prejudices.

Do you think this step is effective or too strict?
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