Consent of minors in healthcare: A medicolegal review of Indian laws and current practices

Consent is a fundamental requirement of medical practice and forms the ethical and legal basis of the doctor-patient relationship. When the patient is a minor, the process of obtaining consent becomes complex due to the involvement of parents or guardians and the evolving decision-making capacity of the child. In India, consent for minors is governed by statutory provisions, ethical guidelines, and judicial interpretations. This review examines the medicolegal framework related to consent of minors, discusses the role of parental consent and child assent, and highlights current clinical practices and ethical challenges. The paper aims to provide a simplified yet structured overview suitable for legal, medical, and academic audiences, emphasizing the need for child-centred consent practices in healthcare.