Surrogacy Arrangements is a key topic under Social Issues for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a pregnancy for intended parents.. Altruistic surrogacy reimburses only medical/related expenses; no direct payment for carrying the child.. Commercial surrogacy involves financial compensation beyond expenses for the surrogate mother.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Surrogacy Arrangements is a Medium-level topic in UPSC Social Issues. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of Surrogacy Arrangements, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
To prepare Surrogacy Arrangements for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Social Issues. (5) Write practice answers linking Surrogacy Arrangements to related GS Paper topics.

Surrogacy arrangements refer to agreements where a woman carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple, intending to hand over the child after birth. These arrangements are typically entered into when the intended parents are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term themselves.
The concept has gained significant attention globally due to advancements in reproductive technologies and evolving societal norms.
Understanding the distinction between different types of surrogacy is crucial for comprehending the legal and ethical landscape surrounding assisted reproductive technologies.
Altruistic surrogacy is a type of surrogacy arrangement where the surrogate mother does not receive any financial compensation beyond the reimbursement for her medical expenses and other pregnancy-related costs.
The primary motivation for a surrogate in an altruistic arrangement is typically to help another individual or couple fulfill their dream of having a child. It is driven by a sense of goodwill and compassion.
Key Characteristics of Altruistic Surrogacy:
Commercial surrogacy involves a contractual agreement where the surrogate mother receives financial compensation that goes beyond just the reimbursement for medical expenses and other costs associated with the pregnancy.
This compensation is often a significant sum, agreed upon in advance, reflecting the service provided by the surrogate.
Key Characteristics of Commercial Surrogacy:
For UPSC, it's vital to grasp the ethical dilemmas and socio-economic implications associated with both altruistic and commercial surrogacy, especially in the Indian context. The distinction forms the basis of recent legislative changes.

