Under the 'Pre-Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, what kind of punishment is provided to a couple who undergoes ultrasound or sonography or a doctor and lab worker who performs a gender test?

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.