Surrogacy, popularly known as 'womb for rent', has been criticised for the commoditisation, commercialisation and exploitation of the human reproductive system. While some consider surrogacy to be unnatural, many childless couples regard it an opportunity to experience the joy of parenthood. In India, though being the most sought after destination for surrogacy due to its low cost and favourable legal atmosphere, there is a lack of distinguishing rules and responsibilities of parties involved. Thus, a lot of ambiguity exists among all the stakeholders, including policy makers, surrogate mothers, intended parents, legal consultants, etc.

This course provides clarity on the concepts of surrogacy, particularly commercial surrogacy. It explains the legal issues involved in commercial surrogacy, discussing relevant laws including Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill 2013; Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines, 2005; and government policy on commercial surrogacy. The course will be helpful for surrogate mothers and intended parents as it covers case studies, explains different surrogacy agreements and provides FAQs for clarity on the process and law.