CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The Bill allows abortion to be done on the advice of one doctor up to 20 weeks, and two doctors in the case of certain categories of women between 20 and 24 weeks.

Detailed explanation-2: -NEW DELHI (AP) - India’s Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that all women, regardless of marital status, can obtain abortions up to 24 weeks into their pregnancies. Previously, under India’s abortion law, married women could have abortions up to 24 weeks into their pregnancies, but single women were limited to 20 weeks.

Detailed explanation-3: -In its interim order on the Special Leave Petition dated 21 July 20221, the Supreme Court allowed the woman to terminate her pregnancy by abortion. In the final order dated 29 September 2022, the apex Court laid down the principle of autonomy of every woman in accessing medical termination of her pregnancy.

Detailed explanation-4: -After a crucial amendment in 2021, for pregnancies up to 20 weeks, termination is allowed under the opinion of one registered medical practitioner. For pregnancies between 20-24 weeks, the Rules attached to the law prescribe certain criteria in terms of who can avail termination.

Detailed explanation-5: -Enhancing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include ‘vulnerable women including survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (like differently-abled women, Minors) etc.