The PCPNDT Act of 1994 aims to prohibit sex selection techniques before or after conception and prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for determining the sex of the fetus, which has led to over 10 million missing girls in India due to female foeticide. Key provisions of the act include regulating the use of diagnostic tests like ultrasound and fetoscopy only for medical reasons, establishing registration requirements and duties for clinics, doctors and other authorities, and specifying penalties for violations which are considered non-bailable and non-compoundable offenses. Social workers view the act as important for upholding the equal value of children regardless of sex and countering the societal preference for male children that has driven female foeticide.

1. BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
TOPIC:PRE-CONCEPTION AND PRENATAL DIAGNOSTIC
TECHNIQUES(PCPNDT)-1994.
Department: Social work 3rd Sem
Academic year:2020-2022
Topic: PCPNDT ACT -1994
Specialization: Medical and psychiatry
NAME : Amson Abraham

2. INDEX
• Introduction
• Background and Significance
• Issues emphasized
• Provisions
• Prohibition/Do’s & Don’ts
• Duty of various authorities & departments
• Process and procedure
• Offences and penalties
• Social workers perspectives
• Relevant information

3. INTRODUCTION
• Prohibition of sex selection (before or after conception)
• Prevent misuse of such techniques for sex determination.
• The act is launched in 20th September 1994 and came into force with
effect from April 2003.
• Before the act was PNDT prenatal diagnostic techniques(regulation
and prevention of misuse).

4. BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE
AMENDMENT
• Government of India, considering the emerging technologies for the
‘selection of sex before and after conception’.
• India had lost over 10 million girls because of female foeticide in last
20 years.
• 2 million females are killed before or at birth simply because of their
sex.

5. ISSUES EMPHASIZED IN THE ACT
• The act is for the prohibition of sex selection before and after
conception and leading to the female foeticide .
• It is only for prenatal diagnosis for detecting genetic and metabolic
disorders ,chromosomal abnormalities , congenital malformations or
sex linked disorders.

6. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND PURPOSE
• Ultrasonography (Usg) and fetoscopy.
• Test or analysis for –amniotic fluid , chorionic villi , blood , any tissue ,
fluid. It is for any pregnant woman or conceptus conducted to detect
- genetic disorders
- metabolic disorders
- chromosomal abnormalities
- congenital anomalies
- haemoglobinopathies
- sex –linked diseases

7. CONDITIONS FOR THE TEST
• Age of pregnant woman must be above 35.
• Two or more spontaneous abortions
• Pregnant woman has been exposed to drugs , radiation , infection or
chemicals.
• family history of mental retardation or physical deformities

8. PROCESS & PROCEDURES TO BE
COMMUNICATED
• Explanation of all known side or after effects and test procedures.
• Written consent in prescribed form and its copy given to her
• Not to disclose sex of the foetus by words , signs etc.
• Display prominently in local language that disclosure of sex of foetus
is prohibited under law.
• Registration certificate to be displayed prominently in the clinic.

9. DUTIES OF VARIOUS AUTHORITIES AND
DEPARTMENTS FOR PRENATAL
• Techniques - USG
-FOETOSCOPY
-Sampling & analysis of amniotic fluid , chorionic villi , blood.
• Places - Genetic counselling centre
- Genetic clinic
- Genetic laboratory

10. CONTD…
• Persons -Gynaecologist(- 6 Mon exp. In GCC [genetic counselling centre]& 4 weeks training in GC
- exp. In PDP like 20 procedures in chorionic villi per vagina or abdomen, biopsy,
cordocentesis fetoscopy , foetal blood sampling etc under expert supervision.)
-Medical Geneticist
-Paediatrician
-Registered Medical Practitioner(-post graduate degree or diploma or 6 mon
training or 1 year exp. In sonography.)
-Laboratory technician
-Radiologist
-Sonologist

11. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
PROHIBITIONS/DO’S & DON’TS
• All bodies under PCPNDT unless registered cannot function namely
Genetic counselling centre , laboratory clinic
• Registration is allowed only when these bodies are separately or
jointly a centre or clinic.
• Every application for registration shall be made to Chief Medical
Officer or to the appropriate authority.
• Every application shall be made in duplicate in form A.
• All forms and monthly reports must be kept to 2 years
• The sign on the consent by the patient and by the radiographer are a
must.

12. PENALTIES
• Offences by a person:
related to advertisement -3 years imprisonment
-fine up to 10000
Subsequent conviction entails-5 years & 5000
• Seeking the aid of other persons or bodies,-3 to 5 years
50000 to 1 lakh
• In case of RMP-suspension of registration till case is disposed.
- Removal of name from register of the council for period of 5 years
for first offence and permanently for subsequent offence.

13. continuation
• Offence by company –every person in charge & responsible to the
company at the time the offence is committed.
-cognizable: arrest without warrant.
-non bailable: the police cant grant bail in the case.
-non compoundable: the parties to the case cannot settle down the
case and decide not to prosecute.
• The offence under the act can only be tried in metropolitan or a
judicial magistrate of the first class.

14. SOCIAL WORKER’S PERSPECTIVE
• IT is the societal perspective of male domination makes the
importance of act.
• This impact happens because the girl child is considered as less
productive and when they grow up , females requires lot of care
,support and expense. Whereas men are able to do their labour and
meet their own needs.
• Every child has equal importance whether male or female.
• Sex doesn't matter the value must be given to life, we cant predict
future of any child.it may be a gem in future.

15. RELEVENT INFORMATIONS
• The act was strictly amended in 2011.
• High court clarified that filling form F is to be filled by doctors &
stated that its not a clerical job.
• There are cases of violation of act and arrest in Tamil Nadu.This law is
taken in great relevance and the actions undertaken are also very
strict.
• Some states included a 6 mon course and competency exams for
abdominal –pelvic ultrasonography .

16. CONCLUSION