Gaps in the Implementation of the PC-PNDT Act: An Assessment of Failures, Loopholes, and Enforcement Realities
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: India is a fast-growing country, yet matters like female foeticide exist as a crucial issue in the country. Even though it is legally prohibited and against morality, it is still carried out in many parts of the country, showcasing the gender bias prevailing in the country. The enactment of PCPNDT Act 1993 became an aid to curb this issue. The Act focuses on enactments to stop female foeticide, address the declining sex ratio, and misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for the determination and communication of the sex of the foetus before or after conception, hereby addressing the underlying cause of selective abortions. Even though many amendments and stringent penalties gave immense support to the Act, yet reaching a female foeticide-free country is a long way to go. This paper mainly focuses on the setbacks in enforcing the Act and a handful of solutions to the same. The main challenge in enforcing the Act is the lack of awareness among the public and medical professionals regarding the provision and the ethical application of the Act. Insufficient monitoring, corruption, traditional gender bias, and financial strength of the family, etc., can be the other roadblocks to the enforcement of the Act. Solutions to this can be as follows.1. Conducting district or regional area-wise awareness programs to the people living there and the medical professionals.2. Setting up a monitoring body by the government to check whether the medical professionals and people are abiding by the provisions of the Act. These simple steps can turn into a successful enforcement of the Act.In conclusion, The PCPNDT Act aims to prevent female foeticide, but issues like gender bias, poor monitoring, and low awareness prevent it from being fully implemented. Its impact can be significantly increased by raising awareness and enforcing more stringent oversight, bringing India closer to a society that values and safeguards every girl child.
Author: Hiba Azeez
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225328839