PCPNDT Act (Government Schemes & Initiatives)
PCPNDT Act (Government Schemes & Initiatives)
Why In News:
The Supreme Court of India observed that patriarchal preference for male children persists and called for strict enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, noting continuing violations of the law.
What is the PCPNDT Act?
Originally enacted as the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994, it was amended in 2003 to become the PC&PNDT Act.
Aims to prohibit sex determination before and after conception and prevent the misuse of diagnostic techniques for sex selection.
Regulates use of prenatal diagnostic techniques and makes mandatory registration of all genetic counselling centres, laboratories, and clinics.
Key Provisions
Any person seeking sex selection before or after conception is punishable.
Appropriate Authorities (AA) are designated at district, state, and national levels for implementation.
The Central Supervisory Board (CSB) oversees national-level implementation.
India's Sex Ratio Context
India's Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) was 929 females per 1,000 males as per NFHS-5 (2019-21).
"Missing women" phenomenon: millions of women absent from the population due to sex-selective practices and neglect.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched in 2015 to address declining sex ratio, starting from 100 selected districts