Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and vitrification (rapid freezing) of the mature eggs collected, which are then stored for potential future use in IVF/ICSI. It may be done for medical reasons (before gonadotoxic treatment, or with a diagnosis linked to early loss of ovarian reserve) or electively, sometimes called planned or social egg freezing, when a person chooses to delay childbearing. These terms describe the same laboratory technique; the difference is only the reason for freezing, and clinics should explain this neutrally rather than implying one reason is more valid than another. The number of eggs frozen, the age at freezing, and egg survival and fertilisation rates after thawing all affect the eventual chance of a live birth — freezing does not guarantee a future child. In India, egg freezing and storage are carried out through ART clinics and ART banks registered under the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021, with defined consent and storage-duration requirements. 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: oocyte cryopreservation, planned egg freezing, social egg freezing, elective egg freezing, freeze my eggs
Related India guides
Sources
- Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in)
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, with the ART (Regulation) Rules and subsequent amendments and notifications (indiacode.nic.in; artsurrogacy.gov.in)
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (asrm.org)
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.