Surrogacy in India
When pregnancy is not possible or medically unsafe gestational surrogacy can offer another path to parenthood. In India only altruistic surrogacy is permitted which means the surrogate is not paid a fee beyond medical expenses and insurance. For eligible patients embryos are created via IVF and transferred to a healthy surrogate who carries the pregnancy and after birth hands the baby to the intending parent or couple under a legally supervised process.
Discover what this treats so that you can choose confidently
Surrogacy is considered when medical conditions make pregnancy impossible or unsafe or when repeated IVF transfers fail due to uterine factors despite good embryos.
Patient moment After years of surgeries and a doctor’s warning that pregnancy would be unsafe A and R chose surrogacy. Hearing a newborn cry felt “like a sunrise after a long night.” Results vary; the goal is a safe lawful route to parenthood.
Plain language definitions
Altruistic surrogacy only medical expenses and insurance for the surrogate are allowed
Intending couple a legally married Indian man and woman who meet medical and legal criteria
Intending woman an Indian widow or divorcee who meets legal criteria
District Medical Board government panel that certifies medical indications in specific situations
Gamete a sperm or an egg
How the procedure works in simple steps
- Eligibility and counseling medical review against legal requirements plus psychological counseling for all parties
- Approvals and insurance certificates and approvals per law and health insurance for the surrogate for the required period
- IVF and embryo preparation embryos created with the intending couple’s gametes; in limited board approved situations one donor gamete may be permitted so the child is related to at least one intending parent
- Surrogate preparation and embryo transfer lining synchronized and a single high quality embryo transferred
- Pregnancy care and delivery routine antenatal care and delivery at an accredited hospital followed by legally documented handover
Choosing a program is like planning a complex trip you want the best route the best guide and the right price with safety checks at every stop.
Who should consider this and when to wait
- Medical conditions that make pregnancy impossible or unsafe
- Absent or severely scarred uterus
- Multiple failed transfers due to uterine factors despite good embryos
- Eligible intending woman as defined in law
Consider waiting or treating first if correctable uterine issues exist if major medical problems are not stabilized or if legal and psychological readiness is incomplete.
Ask your specialist Which specific indication makes surrogacy safer than pregnancy for me and What steps would strengthen our plan before we proceed?
Benefits and risks that you should understand
Potential benefits
- Path to parenthood when carrying a pregnancy is not feasible or safe
- Structured medical and legal safeguards
- Ability to transfer a single tested embryo for safety
Possible risks and limits
- Emotional complexity for all parties
- IVF related risks such as ovarian hyperstimulation mitigated by safe protocols
- Pregnancy complications managed as per obstetric care
- Strict eligibility and documentation designed to protect everyone
Cost overview without surprises
| Scenario | Hospital category | Approx cost USD |
|---|---|---|
| IVF cycle to create embryos with own gametes | NABH accredited clinic | 3,000–4,500 |
| IVF with one permitted donor gamete after Board approval | Advanced metro center | 4,800–6,400 |
| Surrogate antenatal care routine scans and visits | Accredited maternity unit | 1,200–2,200 |
| Delivery package normal or cesarean as indicated | Premium institute | 1,600–3,000 |
| Mandatory health insurance for surrogate required duration | All accredited centers | 300–700 |
Simple math IVF 3,800 + antenatal care 1,600 + delivery 2,200 + insurance 450 ≈ 8,050 USD. Add legal documentation and screening 400–900. Travel and accommodation are extra. Final quotes depend on the case and require a personalized estimate.
How to compare hospitals and specialists with confidence
- Clinic registered under ART and surrogacy laws with certificates displayed
- Single embryo transfer policy for safety
- How the surrogate is selected and supported medically and psychosocially
- Insurance coverage period and emergency protocols
- Transparent IVF lab statistics for your age group and embryo stage
- Step by step legal paperwork and custody documentation
Ask for a written timeline from screening to delivery and a clear medical budget with events that could change costs.
Questions people often ask before this treatment
Who is eligible for surrogacy in India
Altruistic surrogacy is available to a legally married Indian couple who meet age and medical criteria and to an eligible intending woman who is a widow or divorcee. Foreign nationals including OCI cardholders cannot commission surrogacy in India.
Can donor eggs or sperm be used
In specific board certified medical circumstances one donor gamete may be allowed so the child remains genetically related to at least one intending parent.
How many embryos are transferred
Typically one embryo per cycle for safety.
How long should we plan to stay in India
Creating embryos and completing approvals often takes three to five weeks. Pregnancy care and delivery follow usual obstetric timelines; shared care may be coordinated where appropriate.
Are success rates guaranteed
No. Outcomes depend on embryo quality uterine health and pregnancy course.
Important care note so that every reader stays safe
Choose a high volume accredited center that follows India’s surrogacy and ART regulations. Avoid any offer mentioning cash compensation to the surrogate or shortcuts in approvals. A lawful transparent pathway protects you the surrogate and the child.
Video testimonials from real patients
You can watch surrogacy and IVF success stories as short videos on our YouTube channel. Many parents share how clear counseling strong ethics and steady medical care made the journey feel safer and more human.
Disclaimer
This page provides general information. Decisions about surrogacy must be made with a licensed fertility specialist and legal counsel who examined you and reviewed your documents.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Aryan Malhotra
MBBS David Tvildiani Medical University Georgia
Radiation Oncology Resident Burdwan Medical College and Hospital
Registration number 95565
Dr Malhotra reviews fertility content so that statements remain accurate balanced and patient friendly.
References
Watch patient videos
https://www.youtube.com/@TreatmentCost