Rajasthan suspends nine Neelkanth Fertility centers over alleged ART Act violations

The Rajasthan Medical and Health Department has suspended the registrations of nine facilities operated by Neelkanth Fertility and Women Care Hospital Private Limited. The suspension affects ART clinics, ART banks, and surrogacy clinics across several cities, including Jaipur, Bhilwara, Udaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, and Ajmer.

The regulatory action follows alleged violations of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Officials stated the decision was prompted by an advertisement featuring an image of a blue-colored embryo. The department interpreted this as a potential symbolic indication of promoting sex selection services, which is strictly prohibited under Indian law.

Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinwar emphasized the state's commitment to ensuring strict compliance with healthcare standards and legal provisions. The department reiterated a zero-tolerance policy toward sex-selective procedures and emphasized that all reproductive technology services must adhere to ethical and legal frameworks.