Supreme Court नाबालिगों के लिए जबरन गर्भधारण पर रोक लगाई, 20 हफ्तों से आगे MTP Act का विस्तार करने का आह्वान किया

<p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court of India — the apex judicial body responsible for interpreting the Constitution and safeguarding fundamental rights (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court of India</span> on <strong>30 April 2026</strong> ruled that a minor child cannot be compelled to continue a pregnancy, and urged the Centre to amend existing law to allow rape survivors to terminate pregnancies beyond the current <span class="key-term" data-definition="20‑week gestation limit — the statutory ceiling under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act after which termination is generally prohibited, except on medical grounds (GS3: Health/Policy)">20‑week</span> limit.</p> <p>Under the current <span class="key-term" data-definition="Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act — legislation governing the conditions under which pregnancy can be legally terminated in India (GS2: Polity)">MTP Act</span>, termination after 20 weeks is allowed only if a medical board certifies that continuation of pregnancy endangers the woman's life or health. The Supreme Court’s directive seeks to broaden this exception for victims of sexual assault, especially minors.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>The bench comprising <span class="key-term" data-definition="Chief Justice — the senior‑most judge of the Supreme Court who heads the judiciary and administers the court (GS2: Polity)">Chief Justice Surya Kant</span> and Justice Joymalya Bagchi dismissed a petition by <span class="key-term" data-definition="AIIMS — All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a premier medical institution that often intervenes in legal matters concerning health policy (GS3: Health)">AIIMS</span> seeking to overturn an earlier order that permitted a <strong>15‑year‑old girl</strong> to abort a <strong>30‑week</strong> pregnancy.</li> <li>The Court emphasized that forcing a minor to bear a child violates constitutional guarantees of bodily autonomy and the right to health.</li> <li>It directed the Union Government to review the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act — legislation governing the conditions under which pregnancy can be legally terminated in India (GS2: Polity)">MTP Act</span> and consider extending the permissible gestation period for rape survivors.</li> </ul> <h3>Implications</h3> <p>The judgment signals a shift towards a more victim‑centred approach, potentially prompting legislative reforms that align with global standards on reproductive rights. It also underscores the judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutional rights when legislative provisions lag behind societal needs.</p> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <ul> <li>The existing MTP Act caps termination at <strong>20 weeks</strong> for most cases; exceptions beyond this require a medical board recommendation.</li> <li>The 15‑year‑old case involved a <strong>30‑week</strong> pregnancy resulting from alleged rape, highlighting gaps in the current legal framework.</li