A certificate of eligibility is issued under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 to confirm that a commissioning couple, or a surrogate, meets the conditions the Act and Rules set for taking part in a lawful surrogacy arrangement. It is obtained from the Appropriate Authority and is required alongside the certificate of essentiality before a surrogacy procedure can lawfully proceed. Courts have considered how eligibility conditions, including age, are assessed against the date of this certificate, underlining that the specific conditions and their timing matter and can be litigated. Couples and surrogates should get current guidance from a registered surrogacy clinic and the National ART & Surrogacy Portal rather than assuming an earlier rule still applies. This is general information about India's ART and surrogacy framework and is not personalised legal advice. India legal information last reviewed: 9 September 2026.
Also known as: eligibility certificate surrogacy
Related India guides
Sources
- Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, with the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules and subsequent amendments and notifications (indiacode.nic.in; artsurrogacy.gov.in)
- National ART & Surrogacy Portal, Department of Health Research (artsurrogacy.gov.in)
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.