Despite 30 years of liberal legislation that is the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, in relate to the majority of women in India still lack access to safe abortion care. Amendments in 2002 and 2003 to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, including devolution of regulation of abortion services to the district level, punitive measures to deter provision of unsafe abortions, rationalisation of physical requirements for facilities to provide early abortion, and approval of medical abortion, have all aimed to expand safe services.

The 2002 and 2003 amendments which happened to the MTP Act to prevent sex-selective abortions would have been unethical and violated confidentiality, and were not taken forward for implementation so that women who need it get the rights which they deserve. Continuing problems include poor regulation of both public and private sector services, a physician-only policy that excludes mid-level providers and low registration of rural compared to urban clinics; all restrict access.

Poor awareness of the low, unnecessary spousal consent requirements, contraceptive targets linked to abortion, and informal and high fees also serve as barriers. Training more providers like the medical professionals and practitioners, opening of more government run clinics and by simplifying registration procedures, de-linking clinic and provider like the medical professionals and practitioners' approval, and linking policy with up-to-date technology, research and good clinical practice are some immediate measures needed to improve women's access to safe abortion care.