Yes, abortion is legal in India under certain circumstances. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, governs the termination of pregnancies in India and provides for the conditions under which abortion can be performed.
According to the MTP Act, abortion is legal in India if it is performed within 20 weeks of pregnancy and if the pregnancy poses a risk to the physical or mental health of the mother, or if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. Additionally, the Act allows for the termination of pregnancy if there is a substantial risk that the child will be born with physical or mental abnormalities.
It is important to note that under the MTP Act, abortion can only be performed by a registered medical practitioner in a hospital or clinic approved by the government. Additionally, the woman seeking an abortion must give her written consent before the procedure is performed.
It is also worth mentioning that the Indian government has recently proposed a draft amendment to the MTP Act that seeks to increase the upper limit for legal abortion from 20 weeks to 24 weeks. This amendment is yet to be passed by the Indian Parliament and implemented as law.
In summary, abortion is legal in India under certain circumstances, and it is important to follow the guidelines and procedures set out in the MTP Act to ensure safe and legal termination of pregnancy.