Blue-coloured foetus in ad prompts action against IVF centre in Rajasthan
Rajasthan health authorities have suspended the registration of nine fertility clinics operated by Neelkanth Hospital following an advertisement featuring a blue-coloured foetus. The government cited the image as a violation of laws prohibiting sex selection and the promotion of sex-selective procedures.
Why it matters
This action highlights the strict enforcement of laws against sex-selective practices in India, which are critical for addressing gender imbalance issues.
The depiction of a blue-coloured foetus in a newspaper advertisement prompted health authorities in Rajasthan to take action against a fertility hospital on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) for allegedly promoting sex selection. The State government also warned against the practice prohibited by law.
Principal Medical and Health Secretary Gayatri Rathore said the advertisement for Neelkanth Fertility and Women’s Care Hospital, also known as Neelkanth IVF Centre, depicted a foetus. “As blue colour is associated with a male child, the department viewed this as a prima facie indication of promoting sex selection services,” Ms. Rathore said.
The State government suspended, with immediate effect until further orders, a total of nine registration certificates, covering the assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, ART banks, and surrogacy clinics operated by Neelkanth Hospital.
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