Short answer. An Indian egg donor is a woman who donates eggs through a registered ART Bank in India, under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Donor eggs cannot be sold, and an intermediary cannot be used to obtain a donor (Act s.33(1)(b),(g)). A registered ART Bank supplies a screened donor to one commissioning couple or woman, and the treatment takes place in India.
What “Indian egg donor” means under Indian law
People use the phrase in two ways: intended parents looking for donor eggs, and women asking how to donate. This page covers the first group. Women who want to donate should read our donor guide.
In India, donor eggs come only through an ART Bank registered under the Act. Zoi Fertility is the registered ART Bank behind the Egg Donor India programme (URN MH/AB/2022/10691/Mumbai/83). Learn what an ART Bank is and how to check that an ART Bank is registered.
What the law guarantees to every family
- Each donor is supplied to one commissioning couple or woman only (Act s.27(3)).
- The donor gives written informed consent (Act s.22(1)(a); Rules r.13).
- Insurance for the donor is bought for 12 months (Act s.22(1)(b); Rules r.12).
- Egg retrieval takes place at a registered ART clinic, not at the bank (Rules r.3(1)(ii), r.13(1)(c)).
- Details of the couple, the woman and the donor stay confidential (Act s.21(e)).
What you cannot do
- Donor eggs cannot be sent out of India (Act s.29), so there is no shipping to other countries.
- Importing gametes is an offence (Act s.33(1)(c)).
- Selling gametes or running an agency is an offence, and so is using an intermediary to obtain a donor (Act s.33(1)(b),(g)). Do not use anyone who offers donors outside a registered ART Bank, or offers to ship eggs.
Can NRIs and foreigners use an Indian egg donor?
The Government of India has clarified that the ART Act does not bar foreign nationals from availing ART, subject to eligibility (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Health Research, File No. I.11019/37/2023-HR dated 9 Mar 2023, Q1). The clinic confirms eligibility for each family at the first consultation. Read the full guide on donor eggs for NRIs and foreigners or visit International Patients.
How the process works
- Video consultation with a coordinator, then the Medical Director.
- Documents and registration, shared online. See the documents checklist.
- Donor matching by the ART Bank before you travel.
- Your cycle at our registered Level 2 ART clinic in Mumbai.
- Follow up by video once you are home.
Families from abroad travel on a medical visa. Read our medical visa guide.
Wondering how a donor is matched? Read how egg donor matching works without photos.
Why choose a registered ART Bank
- Screening and consent follow the Act and Rules.
- One donor, one family.
- Clear paperwork you can check. See how to check an ART Bank is registered.
Contact the ART Bank | Find a donor | International Patients
Questions
Can I see an Indian egg donor’s photo or profile?
You will not see a photo. After registration you see a donor profile with her basic details, health history and body trait charts. Her name, contact details and photo are never shown, because donor details are kept confidential (Act s.21(e)). You review profiles with your coordinator, and the ART Bank and your doctor confirm the match. Each donor goes to one family only (Act s.27(3)).
Can an NRI use an Indian egg donor?
Foreign nationals may avail ART in India subject to eligibility (File No. I.11019/37/2023-HR dated 9 Mar 2023, Q1). The clinic confirms your eligibility at the first consultation.
Can donor eggs be sent to my country?
No (Act s.29; importing is an offence under s.33(1)(c)). Parents travel to India.
Do I have to be in India for the whole process?
No. Consultation, documents and matching can be done online. You travel for the key days of your cycle.
Is the donor’s identity shared?
Details of the couple, the woman and the donor are kept confidential (Act s.21(e)).
Is the donor shared with other families?
No. Each donor is supplied to one commissioning couple or woman only (Act s.27(3)).
How do I know an ART Bank is genuine?
Check its registration number and the National Registry listing. See our guide on how to check if an ART Bank is registered.
References
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 (Act No. 42 of 2021): sections 21(e), 22(1), 27(3), 29, 33(1)(b),(c),(g).
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 419(E)): rules 3(1)(ii), 12, 13.
- Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Department of Health Research): File No. I.11019/37/2023-HR dated 9 Mar 2023.
This page explains the law as published. It is not legal advice.
