By the Oji Surrogacy & IVF Care Editorial Team | Medically reviewed by a qualified fertility specialist
Do you know how much misinformation surrogacy actually attracts? The rumours travel a great deal faster than the facts ever do. For intended parents this confusion only adds more stress onto a decision which is already difficult enough, so clear information genuinely matters here. A great many couples who come to us seeking an altruistic surrogacy consultation in Delhi arrive carrying beliefs which are simply untrue. This guide separates out the myths from the facts for you.
Infertility is common, and India carries a large share of the global burden, which is estimated at around 25% of cases worldwide. Getting the facts right is what helps couples make sound decisions.
Myth: Surrogates Are Paid a Salary
This one is false. Commercial surrogacy is banned in India, so a surrogate cannot be paid either a fee or a salary. What she receives is only her genuine expenses, and those cover her medical care, her pregnancy-related costs and her mandatory insurance. Any payment which goes beyond that is a criminal offence under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.
Myth: Anyone Can Be a Surrogate
The law is very strict about exactly who qualifies. A surrogate has to meet clear conditions.
- She must be a close relative of the intending couple.
- She must be an ever-married woman who is aged 25 to 35.
- She must already have at least one biological child of her own.
- She is able to act as a surrogate only once.
Moreover, a stranger who has been recruited through an advertisement cannot serve as a surrogate at all, because advertising for surrogates is itself prohibited.
Myth: The Surrogate Is the Baby’s Mother
This is untrue as well. Only gestational surrogacy is allowed here. The surrogate carries an embryo which was created through IVF, so she has no genetic link to the child whatsoever. By law the child is deemed to be the biological child of the intended parents right from birth, and a court parentage order is what confirms that.
Myth: Surrogacy Guarantees a Baby
No process is able to promise you a pregnancy. Surrogacy involves IVF, and the success of IVF depends on a great many factors, which include age, embryo quality and individual medical circumstances. A reputable clinic never guarantees you an outcome. Anyone who is promising you a guaranteed baby should be treated with caution. Honest guidance sets realistic expectations instead, and it explains what is knowable to you and what is not.
Fact: Eligibility Must Be Certified
Surrogacy in India is need-based, which means a medical reason is required rather than a preference. The table below sets out the core facts for you.
| Question | The fact |
| Who qualifies? | Married Indian couples with a certified medical need, and widowed or divorced women aged 35 to 45 |
| Is a medical reason needed? | Yes, certified by a District Medical Board |
| Is the surrogate paid? | No, she receives only expenses and insurance |
| Whose child is it? | The intended parents’, from birth |
Fact: Foreign Nationals Cannot Commission Surrogacy
Only Indian citizens are eligible for this. NRIs who hold Indian citizenship qualify on exactly the same terms. OCI cardholders are now recognised as well and they are generally treated on par with Indian citizens, although they usually do need additional permissions. Foreign nationals who do not have OCI status are excluded.
Fact: Consultation Helps You Separate Truth From Rumour
Misinformation is what causes poor decisions. A consultation gives you the facts as they apply to your own situation, and it clears up the questions which cause the most worry.
- Whether you are actually eligible.
- What the law genuinely requires.
- What documents you are going to need.
- What the process realistically involves.
A consultation is guidance rather than treatment. It does not replace medical care at a registered clinic. What it does is help you approach that care with a clear head.
Why Accurate Information Protects You
Believing a myth is able to cost you time, money and emotional energy. Moreover, it can also expose you to arrangements which are unsafe or non-compliant. Working from the facts is what protects you. Understand the law. Confirm your eligibility early. Rely on qualified professionals rather than on rumour.
Surrogacy is a serious and regulated process. The facts are clear even at the times when the rumours are loud. If you are unsure about what applies in your own situation, an altruistic surrogacy consultation in Delhi with a team which is transparent and qualified can replace that confusion with clarity.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice from your fertility specialist or embryologist.