Pre Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) and FAQs

Pre Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT)

PCPNDT Act was previously known as the PNDT Act. This act was formulated in 1994 and came into effect on 1^st Jan 1996. There were two amendments made in 2002 & 2003. The act is intended to stop Female Feticide by the Prohibition of Sex selection.

Current Sex Ratio (Female: Male) 

Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population, expressed as the number of males per 100 females or females per 1000 males.

• India → 943/1000 
• Haryana → 877/1000 
• Daman & Diu → 618/1000

Basic Purposes of The Act

• Prohibition of pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques for determination of the sex of the fetus, leading to female feticide
• Prohibition of advertisement of PNDT techniques for detection or determination of sex
• Permission & regulation of the use of PNDT techniques for the purpose of detection of specific genetic abnormalities or disorders. Permitting the use of such techniques only under certain conditions by registered institutions
• Female Feticide: aborting a female fetus after sex determination is called female feticide. The problem with this is increased violence against women, abortion due to family pressure, and poor sex ratio due to sex-selective abortion.

Tests Done to Know the Gender of The Fetus

• Ultrasonography
• Fetoscopy
• Taking samples of Amniotic fluid
• Embryo, blood, or any tissue or fluid of pregnant women assessed before or after conception
• Testing samples in the genetic laboratory to detect genetic disorders, abnormalities, or sex-linked diseases.

Areas Covered Under the Act: Clinics, Medical Personnel & Sale of Machines

• Only registered genetic clinics can use prenatal diagnostic techniques
• Procedures can be done by a qualified and registered medical practitioner
• Prohibition on the sale of ultrasound machines to unregistered laboratories, clinics & persons

Components of Advisor Committee 

• Consists Of 3p Medical experts
  • Gynaecologists & Obstetricians
  • Pediatricians
  • Medical Geneticist

1 Legal Expert, 1 Officer to represent the department dealing with information & publicity of State Government and 3 Eminent social workers, at least one from the women’s organizations

Appropriate Authorities

State Appropriate Authority Consists of 3 members(District & corporation authorities are also present). They are as follows:

1. Additional Director of Health Services (Chair Person)
2. Officer from Law Department
3. Other eminent women activist

Power of appropriate authorities is Registration of Institutions, Seal & Seize, Power of search & seize records and Cancellation or suspension of registration of Clinic/ Hospital.

PCPNDT ACT Used for Fetection of Abnormalities

• Chromosomal abnormalities
  • Genetic metabolic diseases
  • Hemoglobinopathies
  • Sex-linked genetic diseases
  • Congenital abnormalities
  • Only other abnormalities

Indications of Prenatal Diagnosis and Techniques

• Age of pregnant women is above 35 years
• 2 or more spontaneous abortions
• Pregnant women have been exposed to drugs, radiation, infection or chemicals
• Family history of Mental retardation or physical deformities in previous offspring

Essential Communications to the Pregnant Female

• Explanation of all known side/after effects & test procedures
• Written consent in prescribed form & its copy given to the patient
• The sex of the baby will not be disclosed by Words, signs, etc.
• Display prominently in the local language that disclosure of the sex of the fetus is prohibited under law.
• Registration certificate to be displayed prominently in the clinic
• An Undertaking that the genetic counseling center, genetic clinic, & Genetic laboratory shall display prominently a notice that they do not conduct any techniques, tests, or procedures, etc by whatever name called, for the detection of the sex of the fetus or for the selection of sex before or after conception.
• Husband & Relatives cannot ask or encourage pre-natal diagnostic techniques except for a reason permitted under law.

Documentation Under The PCPNDT Act

Registration and Renewal

• Both the center and the doctor performing the prenatal diagnostic technique, such as USG, must be registered under the Act.
• Form A: Prescribed application form which is to be filled in duplicate affidavit assuring that the center will not indulge in sex determination.
• Renewal of registration: The certificate of registration is valid for 5 years. An application for renewal must be made in the prescribed Form A 30 days before the date of expiry.

Maintaining Records 

• Form G & F: Prescribed formats in which genetic & ultrasound clinics have to maintain records. Every center has to maintain a register of forms F & G for every patient.
• Form G: The pregnant lady gives an undertaking that she does not want to know the sex of fetus
• The Sonologist must also sign a declaration that he has neither detected nor disclosed the sex of the fetus to anybody.

It is recommended that the video lecture for the same topic is watched along with a repetitive reading of the prepladder concise notes. This will help you to score excellently in the university as well as competitive exams. Topics such as Submission of records & record keeping and Information about the changes to appropriate authorities are discussed in the video as well as the notes.

Violation of the PCPNDT Act

• Imprisonment of 3 years & Rs. 10,000 (50,000) fine, but subsequent conviction punishable with imprisonment for 5 years & Rs. 50,000 (1,00,000) fine.
• Offense to be Cognizable, Non-Bailable & Non-Compoundable
• Non-Compoundable means the parties involved cannot take the case back i.e., no out-of-court settlement of the case. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the PCPNDT Act or PNDT Act?

Answer: PCPNDT act means Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT). PCPNDT Act was previously known as the PNDT Act.

Q: PNDT offenses are what type of offenses?

Answer: PNDT offenses are cognizable, Non-Bailable & Non-Compoundable offenses.

Q: How long is the Certificate of PNDT registration is valid for?

Answer: Five years

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