In a move to combat gender-selective practices and address the state’s deteriorating child sex ratio, the Haryana government has introduced a significant policy change. Couples who already have a daughter and wish to conceive a second child via IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) must now obtain prior approval from the government.
The decision, taken during a recent review meeting chaired by Health Minister Arti Rao and Additional Chief Secretary Sudhir Rajpal, places IVF and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) procedures under sharper scrutiny. The directive is aimed squarely at curbing illegal sex selection and restoring gender balance in the state.
Under the new rule, any couple seeking IVF for a second child—if they already have a daughter—must first apply to the District Appropriate Authority (DAA). Approval must be granted before any fertility clinic can initiate treatment.
The move aligns with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, both of which prohibit the misuse of technologies for gender selection.
Dr. Renu Sharma, Chief Medical Officer of Gurugram, explained:
“The purpose is not to restrict access to IVF but to monitor its ethical use. We’ve seen cases where couples misuse pre-implantation genetic testing to choose the child’s gender.”
Couples applying to the DAA must submit:
Once submitted, the District Appropriate Authority — usually headed by the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Medical Officer — will review the application and issue a go-ahead or rejection based on medical and legal grounds.
The new guideline also applies retroactively, meaning even clinics currently treating such couples are now required to submit documentation and seek clearance.
The answer lies in Haryana’s declining child sex ratio, which has raised red flags across public health and governance circles.
According to state health data:
These numbers reflect a steady drop and indicate deep-rooted, ongoing gender bias despite years of awareness campaigns like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.”
Officials say that sex-selective practices are evolving — moving away from traditional ultrasound misuse to more sophisticated methods like Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) during IVF. By regulating ART clinics through mandatory approvals, the government hopes to plug this new gap in enforcement.
The directive also empowers district health departments to step up monitoring of IVF and surrogacy clinics. Authorities will:
District-level teams have also been instructed to carry out weekly inspections of illegal abortion centres and unlicensed practitioners, many of which are suspected of offering unsafe sex-selective services.
Dr. Manoj Dahiya, a reproductive endocrinologist based in Rohtak, shared concerns about the policy’s implementation:
“The intention is good, but genuine couples struggling with secondary infertility may face delays. We need a transparent and time-bound process to avoid penalizing honest patients.”
The policy is supported by two key legislations:
Violations can lead to:
While the rule targets illegal gender selection, some observers have raised ethical concerns. Why restrict only couples with daughters? Could this inadvertently reinforce a narrative that assumes a preference for sons?
Advocate Pooja Bakshi, a women’s rights lawyer, notes:
“If a couple with a son applies for IVF, they don’t need approval. But if they have a daughter, they do? That presumes intent and treats girls as a liability. Policy must protect without prejudice.”
Health officials, however, clarify that the rule is temporary and corrective. The aim is to rebalance gender disparity, not reinforce it.
As Haryana walks the tightrope between regulating IVF and protecting reproductive autonomy, the focus now shifts to enforcement. Will this policy help curb sex-selective misuse of IVF? Or will it pose hurdles for honest couples trying to grow their families?
The coming months will test how effectively district authorities balance oversight with empathy.
For now, one message is clear — ethical IVF in Haryana just got a lot more regulated.
Couples who already have a daughter and are seeking a second child through IVF must obtain prior approval from the District Appropriate Authority (DAA).
Couples must submit the child’s birth certificate, previous medical records, and a written justification for pursuing ART or IVF.
No, the rule currently applies only to couples who have daughters and are seeking IVF for a second child. This is aimed at preventing misuse for sex selection.
Clinics that bypass the approval process or engage in sex-selective IVF can face licence suspension, criminal charges, and action under the PCPNDT and ART Acts.
The state’s child sex ratio has dropped from 916 in 2023 to 904 in mid-2025. Authorities believe IVF-related technologies like PGT are being misused for gender preference.
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