Surrogacy has emerged to be a beacon of hope for many couples and even individuals who cannot conceive biologically. In the last several years, India, by virtue of its state of the art medical infrastructures and low-cost healthcare, has emerged as a destination of choice in providing surrogacy services. Highly experienced medical professionals combined with low costs attract intended parents worldwide.

Cost of Surrogacy in India

Surrogacy cost in India is around INR 15 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs. One of the most important reasons why intended parents decide on surrogacy is the cost. Surrogacy in India is much cheaper than other countries such as the US, UK, or Australia. The following are the costs.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is the process wherein a woman accepts to carry and deliver a child for another person or couple. It is a method of obtaining parenthood by those suffering from infertility, single people, or same-sex couples. It fills the gap between medical science and human desire for a family and is very important in modern reproductive healthcare.

There are several reasons people opt for surrogacy, including:

1. Medical issues that prevent carrying a pregnancy.
2. Repeated IVF failures or other fertility challenges.
3. Same-sex couples desiring a biological connection to their child.
    

Types of Surrogacies

Traditional Surrogacy In this form of surrogacy, the surrogate mother uses her own egg and is therefore biologically related to the child. Fertilization is usually accomplished by artificial insemination using the intended father's sperm or donor sperm.

Gestational Surrogacy Nowadays, gestational surrogacy is the most practiced type. In this technique, the surrogate has no genetic relation to the child because the embryo is obtained from the intended parents or egg and sperm donors through IVF.

1. Traditional Surrogacy: Surrogate is genetically related to the child.
2. Gestational Surrogacy: Surrogate has no genetic link to the baby.

Surrogacy law in India

India's legal scenario on surrogacy has faced drastic changes in the past few years. The new Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, was put forth to curb exploitation and maintain ethical practices.

Eligibility: Surrogacy is only available to Indian heterosexual couples who have been married for at least five years and are medically certified as infertile.
Commercial Surrogacy: Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, meaning the surrogate mother cannot receive monetary compensation beyond medical expenses and insurance coverage.
Surrogate's Rights: The surrogate must be a married woman aged 25–35 with at least one biological child of her own.

The law also emphasizes the need for legal agreements between intended parents and surrogates to avoid future disputes.

FAQs

1. Is surrogacy legal for foreigners in India?
   No, India currently permits surrogacy only for Indian residents.

2. What are the alternatives if surrogacy is not an option?
   Adoption and IVF treatments are viable alternatives.

3. Can single parents opt for surrogacy in India?
   No, surrogacy is limited to married heterosexual couples under Indian law.

4. What is the success rate of surrogacy in India?
   Success rates typically range from 50–70%, depending on the clinic and individual circumstances.

5. What documents are required for surrogacy?
   Medical infertility certificate, marriage certificate, and legal agreement are necessary.