More and more couples in India are considering egg donation because natural conception is not possible. While egg donation is permitted under national guidelines, many still travel abroad for treatment. This guide covers everything you need to know—from the medical process to costs and success rates to the current regulatory framework in India and overseas options.
How Does Egg Donation Work?
First, the donor undergoes controlled ovarian stimulation using injectable hormones to produce multiple mature eggs. Under mild sedation, a fertility specialist retrieves those eggs via transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration. In the laboratory, the eggs are fertilised using in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The resulting embryos are cultured for a few days before being transferred into the recipient’s uterine cavity. Genetically, the resulting child comes from the donor, but under Indian law, the recipient mother is recognised as the legal mother once the child is born.
Legal Status in India (June 2025)
Egg donation in India is governed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines under the National Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Only registered ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) clinics are permitted to perform egg donation. Donors must be Indian citizens or residents, aged between 21 and 35, and free from communicable diseases. Financial compensation to donors is allowed under strict regulations and limited to covering medical expenses and lost wages—commercial sale of eggs is prohibited. Recipients and donors must sign detailed informed consent forms, and the donor’s identity remains confidential; however, once the child turns 18, they can access donor information through the clinic.
Embryo Donation – Legally Permissible
Embryo donation is also allowed under the ICMR guidelines. Couples with surplus frozen embryos may choose to donate them to other eligible couples. The donating and receiving parties must undergo medical and psychological counselling, and proper consent protocols must be followed. Registered clinics facilitate embryo matching and storage transfers. In practice, embryo donation remains less common than egg donation, but it is a legal and regulated option for Indian couples.
Parentage Law: Who Is Recognised as the Mother?
Under Indian law, the woman who gives birth is the legal mother. The ART Act, 2021, clarifies that the commissioning couple (recipient and her spouse) is recognised as the child’s legal parents. Any dispute over parentage is typically settled based on the ART agreement submitted to the clinic and approved by the appropriate authority. There is no requirement for additional legal adoption processes; once the child is born to the recipient, she is recorded as the mother on the birth certificate.
Surrogacy – Only Altruistic Allowed
Commercial surrogacy has been prohibited in India since the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Only altruistic surrogacy is permitted, where the surrogate is a close relative of the commissioning parents and does not receive payment beyond medical expenses and insurance coverage. Surrogacy must be arranged through licensed surrogacy clinics and requires a written agreement approved by the appropriate State Surrogacy Board. Egg donation and surrogacy are treated as separate procedures, and intended parents must complete surrogacy approvals independently if they wish to combine both.
Medical Risks at a Glance
Donors: Side effects of ovarian stimulation range from mild abdominal discomfort and bloating to headaches. A severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs in about 1 percent of cycles Braat et al. 2014. Egg retrieval is a minimally invasive procedure but still carries a small risk of bleeding or infection. Recipients: A study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics (2022) noted that recipients of donor eggs have a slightly higher risk of preeclampsia compared to IVF with own eggs Magnusson et al. 2021. In experienced registered clinics, most cycles proceed without serious complications when closely monitored with periodic ultrasounds and blood tests.
Current Success Rates
According to the most recent ART registry data from ICMR (2024), egg donation cycles in India show a clinical pregnancy rate of approximately 55 percent per fresh embryo transfer ICMR 2024. Globally, donor egg programmes report similar outcomes: the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) found a 50.5 percent pregnancy rate per fresh transfer in 2019 ESHRE 2023. Indian clinics in major metropolitan centres such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai often match global standards, with top labs reporting live birth rates over 60 percent per transfer when employing preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) Embriogyn 2024. Success depends on donor age, egg quality, and laboratory expertise.
Cost Comparison for 2025
In India, a single cycle of egg donation—including medications, monitoring, and procedure fees—ranges from ₹250,000 to ₹400,000 (approximately USD 3,000–4,800). Most couples include travel, hotel, and food costs for local or international donors, bringing the total to around ₹300,000–₹450,000. Some choose to travel abroad, where costs vary:
- Spain – ₹650,000–₹980,000, anonymous donation, success rates up to 60%
- Czech Republic – ₹550,000–₹850,000, anonymous donation, short wait times
- Greece – ₹600,000–₹900,000, updated traceability laws since 2023
- Portugal – ₹650,000–₹980,000, no anonymity; child may learn donor identity at 18
- Bulgaria – ₹500,000–₹780,000, anonymous donation, max five children per donor
- Ukraine – ₹550,000–₹830,000, liberal regulations but political risks
- USA – ₹1,200,000–₹1,800,000, open donation, extensive genetic screening
- Canada – ₹1,100,000–₹1,500,000, altruistic system, no donor compensation
- Israel – ₹800,000–₹1,200,000, anonymous donation, strict medical requirements
- Japan – ₹750,000–₹1,100,000, anonymous donation, limited disclosure laws
- Hungary – ₹600,000–₹900,000, only related donors allowed, no anonymity
- Georgia – ₹550,000–₹830,000, liberal regulations, short wait times
- France – ₹650,000–₹980,000, no anonymity since 2022
If you plan to travel, add airfare, accommodation, and local transportation. Overall, international treatment can range from ₹800,000 to ₹2,000,000 per cycle depending on destination and duration.
Outlook: Any Upcoming Reforms?
The National ART Regulatory Act (2021) is still in its early implementation phase. ICMR is reviewing additional guidelines on donor anonymity and compensation caps, but major changes are not expected until late 2025 or 2026. Couples should stay updated via ICMR’s official portal for any new circulars or amendments.
Sperm Donation – A Quick, Legal Alternative
If male factor infertility is the issue, sperm donation is legal and straightforward in India. RattleStork connects intended parents with verified donors, offering secure messaging, cycle tracking, and standard legal agreements. The app ensures both parties complete required screenings and counselling, making sperm donation a simpler option than egg donation for many.
Conclusion
Egg donation in India is regulated and available, but costs can be significant. Many couples travel abroad for lower prices or shorter waiting times. Anyone considering donor egg treatment should choose an ICMR-registered clinic, consult legal experts, and plan finances carefully. Thorough preparation and understanding of both Indian and international regulations are key to maximising success.