Regulatory scrutiny of child welfare and fertility services

In Telangana, authorities and judicial bodies have intensified scrutiny of child welfare and reproductive health regulations. The Telangana High Court raised concerns regarding suspected large-scale infant trafficking following the rescue of nine children in the Suryapet district. The court highlighted procedural irregularities, noting that children’s details were uploaded to the Central Adoption Resource Authority portal before mandatory social investigations were finished, and demanded statewide data on children in protective custody.

Concurrently, health officials have increased enforcement of the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Acts. Following inspections of 379 private fertility clinics, regulators identified violations in 50 establishments, resulting in the cancellation of two registrations and the temporary suspension of nine others. Identified issues included operating at unregistered addresses and failing to maintain proper records. Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha stated that the “commercial exploitation of patients will not be tolerated,” while authorities also continue to monitor compliance with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.