Parliament passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019, on Friday.

The bill aims to constitute a National Surrogacy Board and state surrogacy boards, and appoint appropriate authorities for regulation of the practice and process of surrogacy.

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, only Indian couples who have been legally married for at least five years will be allowed to opt for surrogacy.

The bill seeks to “allow ethical altruistic surrogacy to the intending infertile Indian married couple between the age of 23-50 years and 26-55 years for female and male, respectively”.

The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha by voice vote.