What are the legal requirements for becoming a surrogate mother in India?

Intakhab Rizwan
31 July 2025

In India, the legal requirements for becoming a surrogate mother are clearly defined under The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Here are the key criteria: ✅ Legal Requirements to Become a Surrogate Mother in India: Marital Status: The surrogate must be a married woman with at least one biological child of her own. Age Limit: She must be between 25 to 35 years old. Health Requirements: She should be medically and psychologically fit, as certified by a registered medical practitioner. Relation: Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed — meaning the surrogate must be a close relative of the intending couple (not for commercial gain). Surrogacy Certificate: She must receive a certificate of eligibility from the appropriate authority. Number of Surrogacies: A woman can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime. No Commercial Compensation: Apart from medical expenses and insurance, no monetary compensation is allowed. 📝 Note: Commercial surrogacy is banned in India. Only altruistic surrogacy (done without profit) is permitted by law.

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Dr.Anjali Pathak
31 July 2025

To become a surrogate mother in India, you must be a married woman aged 25–35, have at least one biological child, and be a close relative of the intended parents . You can only act as a surrogate once in your lifetime . Commercial surrogacy is prohibited; only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, meaning you receive no monetary compensation beyond medical expenses and insurance . Additionally, you must obtain medical and psychological fitness certificates

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Dr. Nandani Priya
31 July 2025

To become a surrogate mother in India, it’s important to know the rules by understanding surrogacy laws in India. As per the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, a woman can become a surrogate only if: 1. She is married, Indian, and between 25 to 35 years old. 2. She has at least one child of her own. 3. She is a close relative of the couple. 4. She is healthy—both physically and mentally. Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, which means the surrogate does it out of love or support, not for money. No commercial surrogacy is permitted under Indian law.

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shailesh pandey
01 August 2025

Alright, I’ve got a cousin who looked into becoming a surrogate mother in India for a family member, so I’m familiar with the rules based on her experience and the latest laws (as of 2025). Here are the legal requirements to become a surrogate mother in India, explained simply for real people:

• Altruistic Surrogacy Only: Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, you can’t get paid for being a surrogate, except for medical expenses and insurance coverage for 36 months (including postpartum care). It’s gotta be out of goodwill, not for money.
• Close Relative: You must be a close family member of the intending couple (like a sister or cousin). The law doesn’t clearly define “close relative,” but it’s usually someone with a direct family tie.
• Age and Marital Status: You need to be between 25-35 years old, married, and have at least one biological child of your own.
• One-Time Deal: You can only be a surrogate once in your lifetime.
• Health Certificates: You must get a medical and psychological fitness certificate from a registered doctor, proving you’re physically and mentally fit to carry a pregnancy.
• No Own Eggs: You can’t use your own eggs; the embryo comes from the intending parents or a donor.
• Eligibility Certificate: You need an eligibility certificate from the Appropriate Authority (like a government board) confirming you meet all these conditions.

My cousin found the process strict but clear—she had to get all her health checks done and sign legal agreements with the couple. If you’re thinking about this, talk to a fertility clinic or lawyer to double-check everything and get the paperwork sorted.

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