How much does surrogacy cost in India?
Surrogacy cost in India is comparatively lower than in any other country around the world. And legally allows, since there are countries that do not allow surrogacy. It is mostly banned in many countries. There are very strict laws regarding surrogacy around the world; most countries allow only altruistic surrogacy and have banned or put many restrictions on commercial surrogacy.
Women who cannot conceive, either because they are infertile or have repeated IVF failure, or have any other severe medical condition due to which they cannot give birth to a child, mostly go for surrogacy. Since they are left with this, for becoming parents and have a child of their own. The process is a combination of legal and medical procedures, where cost remains a major component, as it is advisable to understand and consider cost too and not just other very important aspects of any treatment for that matter.
The cost of surrogacy varies in different countries, it depends on multiple factors too. And while understanding the cost, one should also research the legalities of the whole procedure, since for surrogacy, fulfilling the legal requirements is very significant. Surrogacy cost in India is itself a combination of both legal and medical procedures that determines the cost of the treatment.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a process where a woman, referred to as a surrogate mother who delivers a baby for another couple, and they become the child’s legal parents. And the surrogate mother cannot claim any legal right over the child.
Types of Surrogacy
There are two broad categories that surrogacy is widely practised and they are as follows:
Altruistic Surrogacy – This surrogacy treatment includes a surrogate which has to be a close relative who will be carrying the baby for the couples. The surrogate mother is not allowed to receive any payment. She cannot claim any right over the child and the legal rights remain with the intended parents.
Commercial Surrogacy – This is the same as altruistic surrogacy but the only difference is that this procedure involves a payment which has to be paid to the surrogate mother.
How To Find an Altruistic Surrogate in India?
While going for best surrogacy centre in India searching for an altruistic surrogate can be difficult but the easiest way to find that is to ask friends and close relatives since only that is legal in India. Reaching out to the relative who can carry the child helps and remains easier for couples and eases the whole procedure.
Advantages of Altruistic Surrogacy
- Helps build an emotional connection between intended parents and the surrogate mother since the altruistic surrogacy only allows a relative or friend to be the surrogate. In this case the surrogate mother is not a stranger but is known to the patient which makes both the parties comfortable to each other.
- It also remains quite affordable for the patients since the IVF cost in India is itself quite high and if one is required to surrogate the overall cost will rise exceptionally, as it is in commercial surrogacy.
- The legal process becomes a lot easier. There are no complex legal procedures that the couples are associated to go through. The legal contracts are clearly defined unlike the other complex procedures of commercial surrogacy.
Process of Altruistic Surrogacy
- The first step that the whole procedure starts with is by searching for a surrogate mother.
- Next multiple screenings are done for ensuring the surrogate is medically and physically fit for the treatment.
- Ensuring the legal requirements are done on time without any delays are important too. Since, it is a significant part of the whole procedure and it is important for both national and international patients.
- Then the IVF procedure starts where both eggs and sperm are fertilised in the lab then after fertilization takes place then it is developed and kept under continuous monitoring and then when it reaches the stage of becoming an embryo it is transferred to the uterus of the surrogate mother.
- Once the embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus then further pregnancy tests are done for confirming the results.
- Once the pregnancy is confirmed then throughout the time of pregnancy the surrogate mother goes through multiple health check-ups to avoid any complexities throughout the pregnancy.
Laws Regarding Surrogacy in India
In India, only Altruistic Surrogacy is legally allowed.
When a surrogate mother is not allowed to receive payment by any means, not even as financial compensation, is referred to as Altruistic surrogacy.
And commercial surrogacy, where the surrogate mother is allowed to get paid or allowed to receive payment, is completely prohibited in India. Law for altruistic surrogacy in India is less complex as compared to other countries.
Who is Eligible for Opting for Surrogacy?
Couples who are legally married and have a medical condition which requires them to undergo surrogacy.
Not only married couples but women who are either a widow or a divorcee with the following age limit can also go for surrogacy.
| Applicant | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Wife | 23–50 years |
| Husband | 26–55 years |
| Widow/Divorcee | 35–45 years |
Medical Eligibility for Surrogacy
For going through the surrogacy, the intended parents are required to have appropriate certification by the relevant authorities. They must fulfil the required criteria before proceeding further.
Conditions and eligibility for a surrogate mother:
- An adult woman meeting all the required medical criteria.
- Should be medically and psychologically evaluated.
- Written consent is mandatory.
- Insurance coverage arranged for the surrogate mother.
- A surrogate mother should be a close relative to the couple.
Rights of the Child
- The child is considered to be the biological child of the intended parents.
- As per Indian law, the child has the same legal rights as a naturally born child.
- And cannot be abandoned due to sex, disability, multiple birth, or any medical condition.
Prohibited Activities by Law
- Commercial surrogacy is banned in India.
- Trading embryos or gametes for surrogacy.
- Exploiting a surrogate mother is strictly unlawful.
- Selecting the sex of the child.
- Advertising commercial surrogacy is banned.
Legal Requirements for a Surrogate Mother in India
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age of the Surrogate Mother | Age should be between 25 and 35 years at the time of embryo implantation. |
| Marital Status | Marital status should be as an ever-married woman (currently married, widowed, or divorced). |
| Number of Children | The surrogate mother should have at least one biological child of her own. |
| Permitted Number as Surrogate | Can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime. |
| Medical Fitness Requirement | A mandatory requirement is a certificate confirming she is medically fit for surrogacy. |
| Psychological Fitness | Should be certified as psychologically fit to undergo surrogacy. |
| Consent | A written informed consent after being informed of all risks and procedures. |
| Right to Withdraw | Can withdraw consent any time before embryo implantation. |
| Insurance Coverage | Must be covered by insurance arranged by the intending parent(s), including protection for pregnancy-related complications. |
Which International Patients Are Eligible for Surrogacy in India?
- Foreign nationals, in most cases, are not eligible for surrogacy in India as per the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and further these treatments are run under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022.
- Regardless of nationality, commercial surrogacy for international patients is prohibited in India.
- OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India) are eligible with specific eligibility criteria.
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are legally allowed to get treatments in India, but with adherence to eligibility criteria.
- Intended parents should have the proper documents issued by the authorities responsible for the proceedings.
- And it is only allowed when the couple carry documents with legally recognised medical indications due to which the couple is going through surrogacy.
- Only Altruistic surrogacy is permitted; commercial surrogacy is strictly prohibited.
What is the Cost of Surrogacy in India?
Some countries around the world allow commercial surrogacy, and the charges also raise the overall cost of the treatment. As per the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and currently operating under the guidelines of Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022. Only permits altruistic surrogacy, which suggests that the surrogate mother will not be bound to be paid any amount as compensation. The surrogacy cost in India remains a major concern for people travelling from other foreign lands.
Surrogacy cost in India is mentioned below, with multiple procedures that are included throughout the process.
| Cost Component | Estimated Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| IVF Procedure & Embryo Transfer | ₹1.5 – ₹5 lakh |
| Medical Screening & Tests | ₹20,000 – ₹2 lakh |
| Antenatal Care & Monitoring | ₹50,000 – ₹4 lakh |
| Delivery & Hospitalization | ₹70,000 – ₹3 lakh |
| Legal Documentation | ₹30,000 – ₹7 lakh |
| Surrogate Insurance | ₹50,000 – ₹2 lakh |
| Miscellaneous & Postnatal Care | ₹30,000 – ₹2 lakh |
Total Cost of Surrogacy in India
The total cost of surrogacy in India is mentioned below, which contains three broad categories of costs for surrogacy in India. Compare surrogacy cost in India which is relatively lower since it prohibits commercial surrogacy completely, as commercial surrogacy requires compensation to be paid to the surrogate mother.
| Type of Estimate | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic medical-focused programs | ₹4 – ₹9 lakh |
| Standard altruistic surrogacy programs | ₹15 – ₹25 lakh |
| Complex cases with multiple IVF cycles or donor gametes | ₹20 – ₹35 lakh+ |
Complete Breakdown of Surrogacy Cost In India
The total breakdown of surrogacy cost in India is mentioned below. Surrogacy is performed with the use of the procedure of IVF and consists of multiple stages which IVF involves. Through this cost breakup, the patient gets a brief idea of the total IVF cost to be incurred throughout the procedure.
| Procedures | Cost Per Stage |
|---|---|
| Consultation fee | ₹3,500 to ₹5,000 |
| Gynaecologist Specialist Consultation Fee | ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 |
| Ovulation Induction procedure | ₹12,500 to ₹15,000 |
| Surrogate Screening | ₹62,500 to ₹75,000 |
| Surrogate Investigations | ₹14,000 to ₹15,000 |
| Stimulation Medications | ₹70,000 to ₹70,000 |
| IVF paired with ICSI | ₹1,75,000 to ₹2,00,000 |
| Blastocyst Culture fee | ₹15,000 to ₹15,000 |
| Embryo freezing | ₹25,000 to ₹25,000 |
| Embryo transfer | ₹45,000 to ₹60,000 |
| Legal Assistance | ₹1,10,000 to ₹1,20,000 |
City-wise Cost Breakdown of Surrogacy in India
Complete city-wise cost of surrogacy in India is mentioned below which gives an in-depth analysis and a clear idea of the whole procedure cost.
| City | Estimated Surrogacy Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Surrogacy Cost in Delhi NCR | ₹13,00,000 – ₹23,70,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹15,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 |
| Surrogacy Cost in Bangalore | ₹14,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 |
| Hyderabad | ₹12,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 |
| Chennai | ₹12,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹15,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 |
| Pune | ₹10,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 |
| Ahmedabad | ₹10,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 |
| Lucknow | ₹14,65,000 – ₹24,00,000 |
| Jaipur | ₹15,90,000 – ₹20,00,000 |
Does Your Insurance Cover Surrogacy Cost?
Mostly in India surrogacy is not covered under most insurance policies, but there are a few plans which cover this treatment. This treatment is treated as an elective treatment in most cases. In India, surrogacy is covered only under few plans and they are not promoted widely.
Who is Required to Go Through Surrogacy?
There are multiple reasons why patients opt for surrogacy and they are as follows:
- The main reason which always is the prime is infertility, the inability of naturally conceiving due to various conditions and due to multiple IVF cycles doctors suggest patients going through these, with surrogacy.
- People who are suffering with severe conditions due to which they are suffering from fertility issues and in this case the best option is surrogacy that the doctor suggests for this.
- For same sex couples this procedure becomes very important, though it is not legally allowed in India but is allowed in different countries around the world.
- Couples who are suffering from any genetic disorders remain at a high risk of transferring the genetic disorder.
Best Clinics in India for Surrogacy
The best clinic in India for surrogacy is mentioned below which has the facility of surrogacy in India.
- We Care IVF Surrogacy
- Nidus We Care Fertility
- World Fertility Services
- Select IVF
- Go IVF
- ACME Fertility
- Kiran Infertility Clinic
- Zoi Fertility
- Mediworld Fertility
- Prime Fertility
Is Commercial Surrogacy Legal in India?
As per Surrogacy Act of India commercial surrogacy is completely banned and prohibited to practise in India and illegal. But there are countries such as the US, Georgia, Colombia, and so on. But in India it remains illegal. In most countries commercial surrogacy is highly restricted due to the exploitation of the surrogate mother.
Commercial surrogacy became more of an exchange of money and was practised as a means to profit. Money involved in these medical procedures raises the chances of exploitation since the surrogate is bound to be paid an amount for the treatment, the whole procedure becomes more transactional, due to these reasons this type of surrogacy is banned in India and many countries around the world.
Surrogacy in India Success Rate
The success rate of surrogacy in India depends on multiple factors, it depends on factors such as the expertise of the doctor for instance or the clinic through which the whole procedure takes place and there are many factors too that affects the success of the treatment.
The following table depicts the success rate of surrogacy in India based on multiple factors that are mentioned below.
| Factor Affecting Success | Average Success Rate |
|---|---|
| Clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer | 40%–60% |
| Live birth rate per embryo transfer | 35%–55% |
| Success with donor eggs | 55%–95% |
| Cumulative success after 2–3 embryo transfers | 75%–90% |
Success Rate of Surrogacy in India by Using Your Own Egg
The success rate of the surrogacy by using the mother’s own egg highly depends on the age of the intended mother. Since, during a fixed period of age the ovarian reserve remains better as compared to an advanced age. If the intended mother is in her young age, the chances of success remains quite high and if in an advanced age the success rates lowers as with age the ovarian reserve and the quality too declines and there is no option but to go for a donor egg.
And in that case when the egg donor is involved for surrogacy, the success rate rises but the genetic material will be that of the father only and the intended mother’s genetic material is not passed to the child.
| Age Group | Average Success Rate |
|---|---|
| Under 35 years | 55%–95% |
| 35–37 years | 42%–80% |
| 38–40 years | 27%–40% |
| Over 40 years | 15%–30% |
What Documents are Needed for Surrogacy in India?
Intended mother require documents such as medical documents proving infertility, medical history, ultrasound reports, hormone test reports, blood tests, a certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating the need for surrogacy.
For surrogate mother health reports, blood tests reports and fitness certificates from a registered physician.
Legal documents for surrogacy in India are a marriage certificate with at least 5 years of marriage, certificate stating essentiality, eligibility, from relevant authority, Insurance coverage for surrogate, surrogacy agreement, Affidavit stating that the couple does not have any biological child of their own.
Proof of the surrogate being a close relative of the couple, a written consent of both the surrogate and her husband for the treatment. Consent forms testified by the magistrate.
Documents for proving financial stability and they are bank statements, insurance coverage for surrogate, payment receipt for medical procedures, tax documents, budget plans for emergencies.
Psychological Aspects of Surrogacy
Surrogacy in itself is a complex and time taking process which remains a combination of both legal and medical procedure. In this whole procedure cost and psychological factors too remain a major factor. Surrogacy cost in India remains lower as compared to any other country in the world and not only that, commercial surrogacy is completely prohibited in India and only altruistic surrogacy is allowed which too saves the overall cost of treatment.
The whole procedure affects the intended parents psychologically too. With the whole legal, medical tests, costs and so on and all of these works as a psychological burden on the intended parents. All of this puts a psychological burden on the patients going for surrogacy.
Top 5 Cities for Surrogacy in India
The top 5 cities for surrogacy in India is mentioned below which patients can opt for not only surrogacy but any other fertility treatment.
Delhi
Delhi is one of India’s top destinations for IVF treatment, drawing attention of both domestic and international patients. The city provides a focus of fertility centers equipped with advanced embryology laboratories, genetic testing facilities, and skilled specialists. They work in ensuring the services they provide must be top-notch without any failures. A patient-centric approach is followed here. Patients can admittance to a range of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), consisting of IVF, ICSI, egg donation, embryo freezing, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Delhi’s highly developed healthcare infrastructure, airport connectivity, and accessibility of multilingual patient support services it a choice that is mostly preferred by medical travelers. The competitive healthcare market also provides patients with options across budget ranges.
Mumbai
Mumbai is known for its considerably specialized fertility clinics, highly-skilled and experienced reproductive medicine experts, who work beyond par. They put their continuous time and effort into ensuring successful results. As India’s financial capital, the city is to different internationally accredited hospitals that offer advanced fertility treatments that helps in getting successful results and extensive care. They keep trying harder to get successful results. Many clinics in Mumbai focus on complex and severe infertility cases, IVF failures, and fertility preservation services. The city invites patients searching for high-quality medical care with cutting-edge lab technology. While treatment costs may be a higher than in some other Indian cities, patients mostly advantage from access to renowned specialists and sophisticated medical facilities.
Bengaluru
Bengaluru has appeared as a major center for fertility treatment because of its strong healthcare ecosystem and technological advancements. The city is well-known for including modern reproductive medicine with state-of-the-art lab infrastructure. Fertility clinics in Bengaluru commonly provides services such as IVF, ICSI, donor programs, embryo freezing, and genetic screening. They keep working for the growth and development of the infrastructure of the medical facilities. The city attracts a comparatively larger number of working professionals and international patients because of its high medical standard of medical care and relatively moderate living costs.
Chennai
Chennai is highly known for its affordable yet high-quality fertility care. The city has a high reputation as a medical tourism hub and hosts several well-established fertility centers with experienced specialists. The city promotes empathetic care. Patients often choose Chennai for its combination of advanced treatment options, lower healthcare costs, and high standards of clinical care. With expert medical care this city also has a better medical infrastructure for fertility treatments. Many fertility clinics in the city provide extensive services, including IVF, ICSI, fertility preservation, donor-assisted reproduction, and treatment for male infertility. With a high success rates they work for the betterment of the medical infrastructure of the city to promote a successful and safe treatment.
Pune
Pune has become an popular destination for IVF treatment, providing a balance between affordability and quality care. The city’s fertility centers offers a number of range of reproductive services which is supported by modern laboratory facilities and highly skilled fertility specialists. Pune is particularly attractive to patients seeking treatment plans that is built around the patient’s schedule. and a shorter waiting time as compared to larger metro cities. The city’s pleasant climate, rapidly growing healthcare sector, and comparatively a very lower living expenses make it a convenient option for couples undergoing fertility treatment. Many clinics in Pune also focus on holistic patient care, involving counseling and fertility support services throughout the treatment journey. Not only the medical infrastructure remains optimal but the medical and non-medical staff too work in provides a professional and safe treatment. Since building trust of the patient too is very important for the procedure to complete with comfort.
What Happens if Multiple IVF Cycles are Required?
If the surrogate mother does not get a successful result in the first cycle then she is required to go through multiple cycles for getting a successful result. It not only raises the length of the whole procedure but also raises the overall cost of treatment. There can be different reasons involved ensuring the success of the treatment or the failure too.
But in India the cost of fertility treatments are relatively lower as compared to other countries. Surrogacy cost in India is affordable and safe for both national and international patients. The following table shows how the overall cost rises if the surrogate mother requires another IVF cycle.
| Number of IVF Cycles Required | Estimated Additional IVF Cost (INR) | Total Estimated Surrogacy Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 IVF Cycle (Initial Attempt) | Included in package | ₹15,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 |
| 2 IVF Cycles | ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 | ₹16,50,000 – ₹22,50,000 |
| 3 IVF Cycles | ₹3,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 | ₹18,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 |
| 4 IVF Cycles | ₹4,50,000 – ₹7,50,000 | ₹19,50,000 – ₹27,50,000 |
How Long Does the Surrogacy Process Take in India?
The whole process is a time taking and lengthy one since it involves multiple medical procedures, financial planning and legal procedures. The whole treatment usually takes more time than any other medical treatment. In India it still takes less time than any other country for surrogacy.
- Initial Consultation approximately takes around 1 to 3 months.
- To finish all the legalities it takes around 2–4 months.
- Preparation of IVF and then for embryo transfer it takes 1–2 months.
- Pregnancy and gestation is 9 months.
- Then comes the final stage of the whole process and it takes 1–2 months.
Conclusion
Surrogacy cost in India is comparatively lower as compared to any other country around the world and especially for the people travelling from western countries because of the currency exchange rate and this also promotes medical tourism in India due to the favourable exchange rates. Surrogacy cost in India becomes cheaper as compared to any other country and on top of that the treatments are safe and less time taking as compared to any other country.
