A certificate of essentiality is one of the documents a commissioning couple must obtain under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 before starting a surrogacy arrangement. It typically involves confirmation from a District Medical Board of a medical condition necessitating surrogacy, along with other conditions set by the Act and Rules. The exact supporting documents and medical criteria required for this certificate are set out in the current Rules; couples should confirm the up-to-date requirements with a registered surrogacy clinic or on the National ART & Surrogacy Portal rather than relying on an earlier account. 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: essentiality certificate
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.