MTP Act of 1971 provides for termination of pregnancy till how many weeks of pregnancy ?
**Core Concept**
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971 is a legislation that regulates abortion in India. The Act allows for the termination of pregnancy under certain conditions, including when the pregnancy poses a risk to the life or health of the pregnant woman.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The MTP Act of 1971 permits termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation. This is based on the principle of balancing the rights of the pregnant woman to choose whether to continue or terminate her pregnancy, while also ensuring that the termination is carried out in a safe and regulated manner. The Act requires that the pregnancy be terminated by a qualified medical practitioner in a hospital or clinic that meets certain standards.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the MTP Act of 1971 does not specify a gestational age of 12 weeks as the upper limit for termination of pregnancy.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the MTP Act of 1971 does not specify a gestational age of 24 weeks as the upper limit for termination of pregnancy.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the MTP Act of 1971 does not specify a gestational age of 28 weeks as the upper limit for termination of pregnancy.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The MTP Act of 1971 has undergone several amendments over the years, including the addition of certain conditions under which pregnancy can be terminated, such as when the fetus is malformed or when the pregnancy is the result of rape.
**Correct Answer:** 20. Up to 20 weeks.