Pre-implantation Genetic Testing 2025 – Procedure, Costs and Regulation in India

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written by Zappelphilipp Marx•29 June 2025
Blastocyst under a microscope during cell biopsy

Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) allows embryos created through in-vitro fertilisation to be screened for genetic problems before transfer to the uterus. For Indian couples facing a high risk of serious inherited disease or recurrent pregnancy loss, this technology can substantially improve the likelihood of having a healthy baby. In India, PGT is permitted under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act 2021 and guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), ensuring that accredited clinics follow strict laboratory and counselling standards.

Quick Glossary

  • PGT / PGD – genetic analysis of individual embryo cells before transfer
  • PGT-M – screens for single-gene disorders such as thalassaemia or cystic fibrosis
  • PGT-A – screens for numerical chromosome errors (aneuploidy)
  • niPGT-A – non-invasive form that analyses free DNA in the culture medium

Who Should Consider PGT?

  • Documented disease-causing mutation with ≥ 25 % inheritance risk
  • Significant chromosomal rearrangement such as a Robertsonian or reciprocal translocation
  • Two or more unexplained miscarriages despite fertility treatment
  • Maternal age above 37 years with a wish to reduce miscarriage risk through PGT-A

Procedure in Six Steps

  1. Ovarian stimulation – 8–12 days of hormone injections
  2. Egg retrieval – trans-vaginal, generally under short anaesthesia
  3. In-vitro fertilisation (IVF or ICSI)
  4. Embryo culture & biopsy – day 5; five to ten cells removed In niPGT-A the lab analyses free DNA, so no biopsy is required
  5. Genetic testing with next-generation sequencing; results within 24–48 hours
  6. Transfer or cryopreservation of genetically normal embryos

Technology Trends in 2025

  • niPGT-A – comparable accuracy without biopsy-related stress
  • AI with time-lapse imaging – algorithms score embryo-division patterns together with DNA data
  • eSET 2.0 – elective single-embryo transfer plus PGT-A cuts twin risk while maintaining success rates

Regulatory Framework in India

  • The ART (Regulation) Act 2021 mandates registration of every ART clinic and bank
  • PGT may be performed only in ICMR-accredited IVF laboratories with trained geneticists
  • Sex selection is prohibited except for X-linked lethal conditions where male embryos are at risk
  • Clinics must provide written counselling about the limitations of PGT, false-positive rates and costs

A list of approved centres is maintained by the National Registry of ART Clinics (NARI) and updated quarterly.

Typical Costs in India 2025

  • Base IVF cycle – ₹1.8 – 2.5 lakh (private metro clinic)
  • Fertility medication – ₹60 000 – 90 000
  • PGT-M or PGT-A panel – ₹1 – 1.5 lakh per batch of embryos
  • Freezing & storage – about ₹25 000 per year
  • Optional add-ons
    • niPGT-A upgrade – ₹70 000 – 1 lakh
    • Time-lapse embryo monitoring – ₹35 000 – 50 000

Standard health-insurance policies rarely cover IVF or PGT; a few premium plans now reimburse part of the expense. Couples should confirm coverage and obtain pre-authorisation from their insurer or employer-sponsored plan.

Success Rates and Risks

The Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR) reports an average live-birth rate of about 24 percent per embryo transfer, and roughly 37 percent for women under 35 (NARI Annual Report 2024). A global meta-analysis (PGT-A Review 2023) finds that aneuploidy screening can reduce miscarriage by roughly 25 percent in women aged 38 and older.

  • False positives – mosaic embryos may be mis-labelled abnormal in up to 5 percent of cases
  • Biopsy risk – modern trophectoderm biopsy has minimal impact when performed by experienced staff
  • Hormonal side-effects – new stimulation protocols keep ovarian hyperstimulation below 1 percent
  • Emotional strain – waiting for genetic results can be stressful; counselling is strongly advised

Practical Tips for Indian Couples

  1. Collect itemised quotes – package pricing varies widely between clinics
  2. Check insurance or employer benefits early – seek written confirmation
  3. Consult a certified genetic counsellor – confirms whether PGT is truly necessary
  4. Plan for multiple cycles – two or more attempts are common
  5. Seek emotional support – online groups, fertility counsellors and mindfulness techniques can help

International Comparison 2025

United States

  • No federal ban; PGT-A widely offered as a standard add-on
  • Additional cost: US$4 000 – 6 000

United Kingdom

  • Regulated by the HFEA; non-medical sex selection prohibited
  • PGT-A add-on: £3 000 – 4 500

Germany

  • Allowed only for high genetic risk after strict ethics approval
  • Total cost: €9 000 – 12 000 per cycle

Switzerland

  • Legal since 2017; PGT-A included
  • Costs: CHF 2 000 – 5 000 in addition to IVF

Thailand

  • Popular medical-tourism destination
  • PGT-A packages from US$2 500; JCI-accredited labs available

Conclusion

Pre-implantation genetic testing offers Indian families facing genetic risk a realistic path to a healthy child. Advances in sequencing and embryo assessment make 2025 the most precise era yet, but the journey remains medically, financially and emotionally demanding. Transparent costs, qualified counselling and well-managed expectations are essential to informed decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a laboratory procedure that analyses the DNA of embryos created via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) before transfer to the womb. It aims to identify genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities early and improve the chance of a healthy pregnancy.

PGT-A (for aneuploidy) screens embryos for abnormal chromosome numbers, while PGT-M (for monogenic disorders) looks for specific single-gene mutations, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease.

PGT is recommended for couples with a known genetic mutation (≥ 25 % inheritance risk), those with recurrent miscarriage, individuals with significant chromosomal rearrangements (e.g. balanced translocations), and women over 37 wishing to reduce miscarriage risk.

A PGT-IVF cycle involves ovarian stimulation (8–12 days of hormones), egg retrieval, fertilisation via IVF or ICSI, embryo culture to day 5 (blastocyst), embryo biopsy or non-invasive sampling, genetic analysis (NGS), and transfer or cryopreservation of genetically normal embryos.

Clinical registries report live-birth rates of 20–30 % per transfer overall and up to 40 % in women under 35. PGT-A has been shown to reduce miscarriage risk by around 25 % in women aged over 38.

Risks include false-positive results in mosaic embryos (up to 5 %), a minimal impact on implantation rates from biopsy (< 1 %), potential ovarian hyperstimulation side-effects, and emotional stress from the waiting period.

Fixed fees for ethics approval and laboratory analysis range from £1,200–£3,200. Total cycle costs—including medication, egg retrieval, and storage—can exceed £8,000 per cycle.

NHS funding for PGT varies by region. Some Clinical Commissioning Groups will fund IVF with PGT for specific genetic indications under NICE guidelines, while others do not. Always check local NHS policy and eligibility criteria.

Non-invasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) analyses cell-free embryonic DNA in the culture medium rather than performing a biopsy. It removes biopsy risk and shows promising accuracy when validated in clinical studies.

Time-lapse imaging continuously records embryo development, providing dynamic morphological data. Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) combined with PGT maximises success rates while minimising the risk of multiple pregnancies (< 2 %).

PGT in the UK is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended). All clinics must be licensed by the HFEA and adhere to its Code of Practice.

Ethical considerations include embryo selection, potential “designer baby” concerns, and respect for people living with disabilities. Thorough ethics counselling and informed consent are essential.

Genetic counselling determines whether PGT is clinically indicated, explains risks, alternatives, and individual success prospects, and helps couples make informed decisions.

Look for HFEA approval, published success rates, transparent pricing, and comprehensive support services—including medical, genetic, and psychological care.

Alternatives include chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis, which diagnose genetic conditions after pregnancy is established but carry their own procedural risks.