PCNDT ACT MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for PCNDT ACT - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Option 2

Key PointsSection 22 prohibits advertisements related to sex selection or pre-natal determination of sex in any form—print, electronic, internet, hoardings, etc.

• Violating this prohibition attracts criminal penalties: imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to ₹10,000.
• The law applies broadly to all persons and entities (not just Genetic Counselling Centres) that issue or facilitate such advertisements.

The correct answer is 'Determination of the sex of the fetus'

Key Points

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994:
  • This act was enacted to prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex determination leading to female feticide.
  • It aims to regulate the use of such techniques for legitimate medical purposes only.
  • Section 6 of the Act explicitly prohibits the determination of the sex of the fetus through prenatal diagnostic techniques, including ultrasonography.
• Permitted purposes for conducting pre-natal diagnostic techniques under the Act:
  • Detection of chromosomal abnormalities: These techniques can be used to identify genetic disorders like Down syndrome.
  • Detection of genetic metabolic diseases: These include conditions like phenylketonuria which can be identified through these techniques.
  • Detection of congenital anomalies: These techniques help in identifying structural abnormalities in the fetus, such as neural tube defects.

Additional Information

• Role of the Act in preventing female feticide:
  • The Act is a critical legislative measure to combat the social issue of female feticide, which arises from a preference for male children in certain cultures.
  • Strict enforcement of the Act helps in maintaining the gender balance and upholding the rights of the girl child.
• Penalties under the Act:
  • Violations of the Act, such as conducting or aiding in sex determination, can result in severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
  • Medical professionals found guilty of violating the Act can face suspension or cancellation of their medical licenses.

The correct answer is 'No person shall conduct or assist in sex selection on a man, woman, or any reproductive material.'

Key Points

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994:
  • The Act was enacted to prevent sex selection and ensure the prohibition of prenatal sex determination to address the declining female sex ratio in India.
  • It strictly prohibits sex selection before or after conception and regulates the use of diagnostic techniques to ensure they are not misused for sex determination leading to female feticide.
  • Section 3A of the Act explicitly states that no person, including specialists or medical professionals, can conduct or assist in sex selection on a man, woman, or any reproductive material.

Additional Information

• Specialist in infertility treatment:
  • Infertility treatment specialists are not allowed to conduct sex selection, regardless of parental request, as it is illegal under the Act.
  • The focus of infertility treatment is to assist in conception, not to select the sex of the child.
• Sale of ultrasound machines:
  • The sale of ultrasound machines to unregistered clinics is prohibited, even if intended for general medical purposes, to prevent misuse for sex determination.
  • Only registered clinics with proper authorization can purchase and use ultrasound machines for legitimate medical reasons.
• Pregnant woman's rights:
  • A pregnant woman does not have the right to demand the sex of the fetus from a registered clinic as it is prohibited by the Act.
  • Disclosure of the sex of the fetus by medical professionals is illegal and punishable by law.

The correct answer is Section 2(bc)

Key Points

• Section 2(bc) of PCPNDT Act defines 'foetus'.
• The term "foetus" refers to a human organism at a specific stage of development:
  • Starting Point: The foetal stage begins on the 57th day after fertilization or creation of the embryo.
  • Exclusion of Suspended Development: Any period where development is paused or suspended is not counted in this timeframe.
  • End Point: The foetal stage continues until birth.

The correct answer is Suspension of registration until the case is disposed of

Key Points

• As per section 23(2) of the PCPNDT Act, if charges are framed by the court, the Appropriate Authority reports the practitioner's name to the State Medical Council, which can suspend the registration until the case is resolved.
• If the practitioner is convicted, their name is removed from the medical register for five years for the first offence and permanently for any subsequent offence. 

The correct answer is 1994.

Key Points

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India. 
• The act banned prenatal sex determination. 
• Every genetic counselling centre, genetic laboratory or genetic clinic engaged in counselling or conducting pre-natal diagnostics techniques, like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with the potential of sex selection (Preimplantation genetic diagnosis) before and after conception comes under preview of the PCPNDT Act and are banned.

Additional Information 

• The main purpose of enacting the act is to ban the use of sex selection techniques after conception and prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technique for sex selective abortions.
• Sex selection is any act of identifying the sex of the foetus and elimination of the foetus if it is of the unwanted sex. 
• Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT), was amended in 2003 to The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act) to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection.

Female foeticide: The practice of selective elimination of the female fetus after prenatal sex determination or sex pre-selection is called ​Female foeticide.

• The role of women in society cannot be undermined by men in any form.
• But despite this in a country where women are put on a pedestal and worshipped as Mother Goddess, it is ironic that crimes against women are on the rise.
• One of such crimes is the crime of female foeticide (Practice of selective elimination of the female fetus after prenatal sex determination or sex pre-selection) which is increasing more speedily as compared to female infanticide (deliberate killing of girl babies).

Important Points

Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques(Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act.1994

• An Act to provide for the prohibition of sex selection, before or after conception, and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic techniques to detect genetic abnormalities or metabolic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities or certain congenital malformations or sex-linked disorders and for the prevention of their misuse for sex determination leading to female foeticide; and, for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 
• This Act may be called the Pre-conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.
• It shall extend to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Additional Information

Some of the causes behind female foeticide may be as follows:

• Inequality or Gender Bias
• Dowry Tradition
• Male as the Bread Winner of Family
• The offering of Pinda
• Continuity of Lineage
• Old Age Security
• Two Child or One Child Norm
• Easily available means of Sex Determination. 

Hence, we can conclude that the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques(Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act.1994, is a constitutional guarantee that checks on Female foeticide.

The correct answer is Sentenced to 3 to 5 years and a fine of 10 to 50 thousand.

• Under the 'Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act', Sentenced to 3 to 5 years and a fine of 10 to 50 thousand of punishment is provided to a couple who undergoes ultrasound or sonography or a doctor and lab worker who performs a gender test.

Key Points

• Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act
  • ​Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT), was amended in 2003 to The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act).
  • The offence under act being cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, they put up a criminal case.
  • Criminal is liable for imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees and on any subsequent conviction, with imprisonment which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

Additional Information 

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 
  • This act was enacted to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India.
  • The act banned prenatal sex determination.
  • Every genetic counselling centre, genetic laboratory or genetic clinic engaged in counselling or conducting pre-natal diagnostics techniques, like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with the potential of sex selection (Preimplantation genetic diagnosis) before and after conception comes under the preview of the PCPNDT Act and are banned.

The correct answer is 1994.

Key Points

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India. 
• The act banned prenatal sex determination. 
• Every genetic counselling centre, genetic laboratory or genetic clinic engaged in counselling or conducting pre-natal diagnostics techniques, like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with the potential of sex selection (Preimplantation genetic diagnosis) before and after conception comes under preview of the PCPNDT Act and are banned.

Additional Information 

• The main purpose of enacting the act is to ban the use of sex selection techniques after conception and prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technique for sex selective abortions.
• Sex selection is any act of identifying the sex of the foetus and elimination of the foetus if it is of the unwanted sex. 
• Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT), was amended in 2003 to The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act) to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection.

Female foeticide: The practice of selective elimination of the female fetus after prenatal sex determination or sex pre-selection is called ​Female foeticide.

• The role of women in society cannot be undermined by men in any form.
• But despite this in a country where women are put on a pedestal and worshipped as Mother Goddess, it is ironic that crimes against women are on the rise.
• One of such crimes is the crime of female foeticide (Practice of selective elimination of the female fetus after prenatal sex determination or sex pre-selection) which is increasing more speedily as compared to female infanticide (deliberate killing of girl babies).

Important Points

Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques(Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act.1994

• An Act to provide for the prohibition of sex selection, before or after conception, and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic techniques to detect genetic abnormalities or metabolic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities or certain congenital malformations or sex-linked disorders and for the prevention of their misuse for sex determination leading to female foeticide; and, for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 
• This Act may be called the Pre-conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.
• It shall extend to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Additional Information

Some of the causes behind female foeticide may be as follows:

• Inequality or Gender Bias
• Dowry Tradition
• Male as the Bread Winner of Family
• The offering of Pinda
• Continuity of Lineage
• Old Age Security
• Two Child or One Child Norm
• Easily available means of Sex Determination. 

Hence, we can conclude that the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques(Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act.1994, is a constitutional guarantee that checks on Female foeticide.

The correct answer is Sentenced to 3 to 5 years and a fine of 10 to 50 thousand.

• Under the 'Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act', Sentenced to 3 to 5 years and a fine of 10 to 50 thousand of punishment is provided to a couple who undergoes ultrasound or sonography or a doctor and lab worker who performs a gender test.

Key Points

• Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act
  • ​Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT), was amended in 2003 to The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act).
  • The offence under act being cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, they put up a criminal case.
  • Criminal is liable for imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees and on any subsequent conviction, with imprisonment which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

Additional Information 

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 
  • This act was enacted to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India.
  • The act banned prenatal sex determination.
  • Every genetic counselling centre, genetic laboratory or genetic clinic engaged in counselling or conducting pre-natal diagnostics techniques, like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with the potential of sex selection (Preimplantation genetic diagnosis) before and after conception comes under the preview of the PCPNDT Act and are banned.

The correct answer is 1994.

Key Points

• The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to prevent female feticide and arrest the declining sex ratio in India.
  • This act banned pre-natal sex determination.

Additional Information

• The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994:
  • Section 3 - Regulation of Genetic Counselling Centres, Genetic Laboratories and Genetic Clinics.
  • Section 3A - Prohibition of sex selection.
  • Section 3B - Prohibition on sale of an ultrasound machine, etc., to persons, laboratories, etc., not registered under the Act.
  • Section 4 - Regulation of pre-natal diagnostic techniques.
  • Section 5 - Written consent of pregnant woman and prohibition of communicating the sex of the foetus.
  • Section 6 - Determination of sex prohibited.

The correct answer is All of the above.

• PCPNDT act: No pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be conducted except for the purposes of detection of any of the following abnormalities:
  • (i) chromosomal abnormalities;
  • (ii) genetic metabolic diseases;
  • (iii) haemoglobinopathies;
  • (iv) sex-linked genetic diseases;
  • (v) congenital anomalies;
  • (vi) any other abnormalities or diseases as may be specified by the Central Supervisory Board; 

Additional Information

• Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 (24th September, 1994):
  • An Act to provide for the prohibition of sex selection, before or after conception, and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic techniques for the purposes of detecting genetic abnormalities or metabolic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities or certain congenital malformations or sex-linked disorders and for the prevention of their misuse for sex determination leading to female foeticide; and, for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The correct answer is Option 2

Key PointsSection 22 prohibits advertisements related to sex selection or pre-natal determination of sex in any form—print, electronic, internet, hoardings, etc.

• Violating this prohibition attracts criminal penalties: imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to ₹10,000.
• The law applies broadly to all persons and entities (not just Genetic Counselling Centres) that issue or facilitate such advertisements.

The correct answer is 'Determination of the sex of the fetus'

Key Points

• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994:
  • This act was enacted to prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex determination leading to female feticide.
  • It aims to regulate the use of such techniques for legitimate medical purposes only.
  • Section 6 of the Act explicitly prohibits the determination of the sex of the fetus through prenatal diagnostic techniques, including ultrasonography.
• Permitted purposes for conducting pre-natal diagnostic techniques under the Act:
  • Detection of chromosomal abnormalities: These techniques can be used to identify genetic disorders like Down syndrome.
  • Detection of genetic metabolic diseases: These include conditions like phenylketonuria which can be identified through these techniques.
  • Detection of congenital anomalies: These techniques help in identifying structural abnormalities in the fetus, such as neural tube defects.

Additional Information

• Role of the Act in preventing female feticide:
  • The Act is a critical legislative measure to combat the social issue of female feticide, which arises from a preference for male children in certain cultures.
  • Strict enforcement of the Act helps in maintaining the gender balance and upholding the rights of the girl child.
• Penalties under the Act:
  • Violations of the Act, such as conducting or aiding in sex determination, can result in severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
  • Medical professionals found guilty of violating the Act can face suspension or cancellation of their medical licenses.