CHENNAI: In a renewed effort to curb sex selection and improve the child sex ratio, the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday undertook a comprehensive review of the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, with a focus on enforcement across all 38 districts and emerging challenges linked to overseas violations.
The State Supervisory Board under the PCPNDT Act met at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian to assess enforcement, compliance, and awareness measures under the law, which prohibits sex selection before and after conception.
Reviewing the functioning of appropriate authorities across districts, the board issued operational guidance to strengthen inspections and legal follow-up. Particular emphasis was placed on expanding public awareness on the provisions of the Act and reinforcing deterrence against violations.
A key concern discussed was the growing trend of Indian nationals travelling abroad for diagnostic procedures to determine the sex of the foetus. The board recommended stringent legal action against such offenders, noting that the law applies irrespective of where the offence is committed.
Sex ratio improved from 934 in 2021-22 to 941 in 2025-26, reflecting sustained enforcement and awareness efforts
Officials said Tamil Nadu currently has 9,070 registered scan centres, including 1,727 government facilities and 7,343 private centres. During 2025 alone, action was initiated against 15 scan centres found violating the Act. In the same year, district-level advisory committees across 38 districts examined 1,747 applications and granted licences to 1,608 centres.
Capacity-building initiatives were also reviewed. Under a phased programme, zonal-level training camps were conducted in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Kanniyakumari, benefitting 2,492 government and private doctors.
Highlighting the outcomes, officials noted that the State's sex ratio improved from 934 in 2021-22 to 941 in 2025-26, reflecting sustained enforcement and awareness efforts.
The board further underscored that strengthening the State Supervisory Board and ensuring effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act would further reduce female foeticide and contribute to a healthier gender balance in Tamil Nadu.
9,070 in TN
1,727 are govt
7,343 are private
15 centres faced action for violating PCPNDT Act in 2025