Guidelines for sterilisation in India

In a landmark judgment1 which strengthens the reproductive health services and aids the population policy of India, Justices Ruma Pal, Arijit Pasayat, and C K Thakker of the Supreme Court of India have ruled that, for the time being, only doctors with 5 years of gynaecological training will be permitted to carry out sterilisation programmes. Further, the Government of India will pay Rs100 000 (US$2300) in case of the death of the patient sterilised, Rs30 000 ($689) in case of incapacity, and in case of post-operative complications, the actual cost of treatment up to Rs20 000 ($459).