Short answer. The egg donation age limit in India is 23 to 35 years. Section 27(2)(b) of the ART Act, 2021 sets this band for women who donate eggs through a registered ART Bank. A woman may donate only once in her life (section 27(4)).
Egg donation age limit in India: what the law sets
- Donor age: 23 to 35 years (Act s.27(2)(b)).
- How often: once in her life (Act s.27(4)).
- Who supplies donors: only a registered ART Bank, registered as an independent entity (Act s.27(1)).
- One donor, one couple: a bank cannot supply the same donor to more than one commissioning couple (Act s.27(3)).
The band applies to every donor. A woman younger than 23 or older than 35 cannot be a donor through a registered ART Bank.
Is there any other condition on who can donate?
Section 27 sets age as the condition for donors. It does not mention marital status or children. The Government of India has also clarified that any woman may donate, subject to the Act and Rules (Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Department of Health Research), File No. I.11019/51/2022-HR dated 29 Nov 2022, Q3). Read more in our posts on unmarried donors and on donors who have no child.
Why age matters medically
Age matters for the health of the eggs and for the donor herself. In general, the younger the body, the better it copes with the things that affect eggs, such as diet, stress and the environment around us.
Smoking and alcohol are a good example. The longer a woman has been exposed to them, the more they can matter. A younger donor has simply had less time of exposure than an older one.
Age also affects ovarian reserve, which is the number of eggs a woman has left. It falls as she gets older. Doctors look at it with tests such as the anti Mullerian hormone (AMH) level, along with other factors, when they assess a donor. The band of 23 to 35 years in the Act sits in the years when most women are young adults and have a good reserve, and each donor is still assessed individually.
What the bank records about your age
A registered ART Bank must record the donor’s name, Aadhaar, address and other details, and take a written confidentiality undertaking from her (Act s.27(6); Rules r.15). Keep your Aadhaar ready. The bank will tell you if it needs any other document.
Common questions about the age limit
- Starting at 23. A woman who is 22 cannot donate yet.
- Over 35. A woman older than 35 cannot be a donor under the Act.
- Once in a lifetime. If a woman has donated before, she cannot donate again.
If you are not sure whether you qualify, try our short eligibility check.
Become a donor · Read the full law guide
Questions
What is the age limit for egg donors in India?
23 to 35 years (Act s.27(2)(b)).
Can a woman donate eggs more than once in India?
No. A woman may donate only once in her life (Act s.27(4)).
Is there a rule on marital status or children for donors?
No. Section 27 sets age, not marital status or children, and the Government has clarified that any woman may donate, subject to eligibility (Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Department of Health Research), File No. I.11019/51/2022-HR dated 29 Nov 2022, Q3).
References
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 (Act No. 42 of 2021): section 27(1) to (4) and (6).
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 419(E)): rule 15.
- Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Department of Health Research): File No. I.11019/51/2022-HR dated 29 Nov 2022.
This page explains the law as published. It is not legal advice.
