Surrogacy in India: Costs, Laws, and Real Stories You Need to Know

When you think of surrogacy, a process where a woman carries a pregnancy for another person or couple. Also known as gestational carrier arrangement, it’s become a lifeline for many in India facing infertility, medical risks, or same-sex parenthood. Unlike adoption, surrogacy lets one or both intended parents have a biological link to the child. But it’s not just a medical procedure—it’s a legal, emotional, and financial journey with rules that changed dramatically in 2022.

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, India’s first comprehensive law governing surrogacy. Also known as Surrogacy Bill, it banned commercial surrogacy and now only allows altruistic surrogacy for married Indian couples who’ve been trying to conceive for at least five years. The surrogate must be a close relative, over 25, and can only carry once. Foreigners, single parents, and LGBTQ+ couples are excluded. This law shifted surrogacy from a booming industry to a tightly controlled family affair. Many clinics closed overnight. Others now only handle cases that meet these strict rules.

What does this mean for you? If you’re considering surrogacy, you’re not just choosing a clinic—you’re navigating a system where trust matters more than ever. The IVF surrogacy, the process of using in vitro fertilization to create an embryo implanted in a surrogate. Also known as gestational surrogacy, it is the only legal form now. Traditional surrogacy—where the surrogate’s own egg is used—is illegal. Costs have dropped from ₹15-20 lakhs to ₹8-12 lakhs, but legal fees, medical screenings, and post-birth paperwork can add up. Most people don’t realize the emotional toll on the surrogate too. She’s not a rent-a-womb—she’s a woman who’s often giving up months of her life, dealing with stigma, and forming bonds she can’t keep.

The posts below don’t sugarcoat this. You’ll find real stories from couples who waited years, women who became surrogates out of necessity or compassion, and doctors who’ve seen the system change from the inside. Some of these stories tie into IVF struggles—because surrogacy often comes after multiple failed cycles. Others show how mental health, financial pressure, and family expectations shape decisions no one talks about. You won’t find ads for overseas clinics or promises of quick results. Just honest, grounded insights from people who’ve walked this path in India.

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