X V. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT (2022): EXPANDING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS BEYOND MARITAL STATUS

The Supreme Court's decision in X v. Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of NCT of Delhi & Anr. marks a significant turning point in India's reproductive rights jurisprudence. Delivered on 29 September 2022, the judgment expanded access to abortion by making it clear that marital status cannot be used to deny termination of pregnancy between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation. Interpreting the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 ("MTP Act") and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003 ("MTP Rules"), the Court firmly grounded reproductive choice in the constitutional guarantees of autonomy, bodily integrity, and equality under Articles 14 and 21. By adopting a purposive reading of the law, the Court brought abortion jurisprudence in line with both constitutional values and contemporary social realities.