- Why in news
- On 1 October 2026, the Union Health Ministry held a national workshop in New Delhi with all States and UTs to strengthen implementation of the PC&PNDT Act, 1994, focusing on digital governance and online sex-selection content.
- What it is
- The Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 bans sex selection before or after conception and misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex determination. It regulates genetic counselling centres, laboratories and clinics through registration and appropriate authorities. It was enacted to stop sex-selective abortion and the fall in the child sex ratio.
- Sex ratio at birth
- As per SRS Report 2024, national SRB rose by 20 points, from 898 (2014-16) to 918 females per 1,000 males (2022-24).
- Digital content
- A session on Section 22 of the Act covered the role of States and UTs in identifying, flagging and restricting prohibited digital content.
- State digital models
- Telangana and Gujarat gave live demonstrations of their digital initiatives for PC&PNDT regulation.
- Penalties
- The offences are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
Don’t confuse with PC&PNDT Act vs MTP Act: PC&PNDT bans sex determination and sex selection. The MTP Act, 1971 regulates when a pregnancy may be lawfully terminated.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Targets sex-selective practices behind skewed sex ratios and supports the constitutional goal of gender equality.
- SRB gain of 20 points shows regulation plus community action can work.
Problems
- Portable devices, online platforms and social media can be misused to advertise or enable sex determination.
- Uneven State enforcement, low conviction rates and clinics evading regulation weaken deterrence.
Way forward
- Standardise State PC&PNDT portals, and coordinate with digital intermediaries and I4C through the Sahyog Portal to curb online violations.
- Pair strict enforcement with sustained IEC campaigns that promote the equal value of the girl child.
Put in your answer
SRB improvement: National SRB rose from 898 to 918 females per 1,000 males between 2014-16 and 2022-24 (SRS 2024).
Digital governance example: Telangana and Gujarat showed digital modules that other States can replicate for regulation and monitoring.
- 2014Mains GS1 · Q12Why do prosperous Indian regions have adverse sex ratios for women?
- 2024Mains GS2 · Q12Discuss law on DNA testing of unborn child for paternity under privacy.
- 2015Mains GS1 · Q10Explain why tribes have more favourable sex ratios than Scheduled Castes.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements regarding the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 and the recent national workshop on it:
Which one of the following is correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The national sex ratio at birth rose from 898 to 918 females per 1,000 males between 2014-16 and 2022-24, according to the SRS Report 2024.
True. SRB rose by 20 points from 898 to 918.
2.The workshop on the Act included representatives of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
True. I4C is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3.Section 22 of the PC&PNDT Act deals with the prohibition of advertisement relating to pre-natal determination of sex.
True. Section 22 prohibits such advertisements, including online content.
4.The PC&PNDT Act prohibits sex selection only after conception and does not cover pre-conception techniques.
False. It covers both pre-conception sex selection and pre-natal sex determination, as the title says.
5.The Act is administered through Appropriate Authorities that register and inspect genetic counselling centres, laboratories and clinics.
True. Appropriate Authorities handle registration and enforcement.
6.Telangana and Punjab gave live demonstrations of digital initiatives at the workshop.
False. Telangana and Gujarat gave the demonstrations.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Union Health Ministry recently held a national workshop with all States and UTs to strengthen implementation of the PC&PNDT Act, 1994, with a focus on online sex-selection content and digital governance. Discuss the main provisions of the Act and examine the challenges in its enforcement, especially in the digital age. Suggest a way forward.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.