## **Core Concept**
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971 (amended in 1972 and further revisions) governs the conditions under which a pregnancy can be terminated in India. The act specifies the gestational age up to which an abortion can be legally performed.

## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The MTP Act allows for the termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation under certain conditions. These conditions include if the pregnancy poses a risk to the life of the woman, if there is a risk of grave injury to the physical or mental health of the woman, or if the child is likely to be born with serious physical or mental abnormalities. The 20-week limit was the upper gestational age for termination under the original Act.

## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** Less than 12 weeks is a period during which abortion can be done under certain conditions specified by the MTP Act, but it does not represent the upper limit.
- **Option B:** More than 20 weeks is beyond the gestational age limit specified by the MTP Act for termination of pregnancy under normal circumstances.
- **Option D:** 28 weeks is significantly beyond the gestational age limit for abortion as per the MTP Act.

## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that the MTP Act was amended in 2021, increasing the gestational age limit for termination of pregnancy from 20 weeks to 24 weeks under certain conditions. However, based on the question's reference to the 1972 Act, the relevant gestational age limit at that time was 20 weeks.

## **Correct Answer:** . 20 weeks.