Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
3. In the context of The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021, critically examine various issues in India’s law on abortion. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
A 25-year-old pregnant woman moved the Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 19) seeking an abortion after the Delhi High Court declined her plea last week. The woman has also challenged Rule 3B of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003, which allows only some categories of women to seek termination of pregnancy between 20 and 24 weeks.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various issues in India’s abortion law.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving statistic in regards to abortions in India.
Body:
First, mention the features of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021 expands the access to safe and legal abortion.
Next, write about the various issues Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021 as to why the practise of illegal and unsafe abortions continues in the county – lack of awareness, discrimination, stigma, lack of counselling etc. Write about its impact on the women.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
