Rent-a-Womb – this term was quite common a few years ago. Needy women would carry another's baby for nine months and return after delivery with payment. This arrangement soon became corrupted. Foreign couples started coming for surrogacy tourism, and India was known as the baby factory. Thousands of clinics profited from the destitution of poor women, leading to human trafficking. Although the government enacted laws, this racket continues to thrive underground.
AajTak.in explored this scandal both online and offline. We spoke to multiple fertility centers in Delhi-NCR, posing as needing a surrogate and as potential surrogates ourselves. Layer after layer of this clandestine racket unraveled.
The search for a surrogate mother brought me to a fertility clinic in Gurugram. I introduced myself as 'Divya'. Upon arrival, I was made to fill out a form and sent to the doctor's chamber.
Before meeting the doctor, a coordinator assured me that the clinic’s surrogates have a high success rate. They screen 10-15 girls per surrogacy, ensuring healthy babies.
My concern was attachment issues and what if the surrogate refuses to release the baby? The reply was prompt: ‘That won't happen. We separate mother and child right after delivery. She won’t see the baby or know where it goes.’
Source: aajtak
A young woman's assertive yet confident voice – that comes only with experience – guided me almost hand-in-hand to the doctor’s chamber. After discussing medical history, the doctor got to the point.
Doctor: What kind of surrogate do you want?
Divya: Religion and caste matter to us. We are Hindus, so...
Doctor: No problem. Everyone has their preferences. Muslim couples come seeking Muslim surrogates. We have agents supplying specific demographics. For you, a healthy Hindu girl could be arranged.
Divya: Yes, that will work. But she should be of decent height and health too!
Doctor: We'll take care of that. During screening, all aspects are considered. We try to match the client's preference closely. However, the primary focus is successful delivery.
The doctor then opened her phone to show pictures, saying, ‘This is the kind of surrogate we provide...we assess thoroughly before hiring. Nobody random gets selected.’
Divya: Where do surrogates come from?
Doctor: Haryana, Bihar, UP. Girls from these areas give good results. We avoid certain states.
Divya: How long will the process take?
Doctor: Count 15 months from consent. I’ll explain everything.
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Divya: What will be the cost?
Doctor: Total 1.8 million until delivery.
Divya: That’s too much. Close it at 1.5 million.
Doctor: I can try, but any delivery beyond that and additional charges apply. Look, lots of couples come to me. You saw the crowd outside?
The doctor showed the clients waiting outside her cabin to add weight to her assurance.
Divya: The surrogate won’t refuse to deliver the baby, will she?
Doctor: We have contracts. After delivery, the baby is placed in NICU, inaccessible to the surrogate. She doesn’t know whom she gave birth to. Anyway, she needs money.
Divya: When can we meet the surrogate?
Doctor: At the heartbeat stage, during an ultrasound. Or at embryo transfer, but it’s better not to meet.
Divya: Isn’t there any legal issue? Commercial surrogacy is banned. We can have it done only by a known person, right?
Doctor: Leave it to us. Who will you pose as your relative? What if she claims the baby later? Many such cases exist.
Divya: But the law says it’s wrong…
Doctor: Ignore the law. We handle documents. All will be in your name. From birth certificate to baby delivery, we take care of everything. We have a license. We won’t risk it for anyone.
Divya: Still, doctor...how will you show the surrogate as our relative?
Doctor: We’ll declare her as your close relative. Don’t worry. We have a legal team for it.
Divya: Even so, we’re afraid. We even considered adoption.
Doctor: Why adoption? You’ll regret in 20 years. Surrogacy is better.
Divya: What’s the success rate?
Doctor: Your age is a concern. We might need an egg donor, who will be younger, ensuring success. That adds 60,000, plus 200,000 for twins.
Divya: Who will be the donor?
Doctor: We can’t disclose, but be assured, we don’t make surrogates donors to avoid complications.
Divya: Can we bring our surrogate?
Doctor: If you find one, charges will be around 400,000-500,000, but we won’t guarantee the baby’s health.
Divya: I can’t risk that. What documents are needed?
Doctor: Aadhaar card, marriage certificate if available, and medical history.
Divya: Will the surrogate create problems later, doctor?
Doctor: Don’t worry. She’s like a bag carrying your belongings. We’ll handle it at the right time.
After this conversation, an email with detailed costs was sent. The subject read – Guaranteed Surrogacy...
Source: aajtak
Next, we spoke to a notable hospital in South Delhi. Discreetly stating our requirement, the receptionist casually replied – ‘IVF is possible, but this is a bit illegal. I’ll talk to XYZ sir, who handles this.’
Later, a call confirmed that surrogacy wasn’t officially done there, but a meeting was scheduled to discuss options.
‘If you’d assured me earlier, I’d feel reassured’, I said over the phone.
‘No, ma’am. Just visit between 9 A.M to 6 P.M. I have a solution.’ He ended the call.
The online surrogacy network really leads to fertility centers providing surrogates. Coordinators avoid calling themselves agents but act like messiahs offering aid in distress.
Numerous active groups operate on Facebook. Joining anonymously, I posted my requirement.
“Looking for a surrogate mother. Location – Delhi-NCR. Hindi-English speaking. Age – 23-30. Needs to stay with host. Compensation – 800,000. Contact - XYZ”
Messages quickly started on Facebook Messenger. One agent from Delhi, a top contributor in the group, inquired further. We recount our unedited interaction below.
Source: aajtak
Your location, madam?
Delhi.
Which part?
Southwest.
Do you have permission or any certificate?
Nothing. I’ll cover all expenses. Can spend up to 1 million.
Oh, madam, 1 million goes to the surrogate. 500,000-600,000 for the IVF clinic, 300,000-400,000 for legal consultation.
So, you mean the budget goes above 2 million?
Yes, definitely. Check clinics in your area. They cost 2.5 to 3 million. No less.
What’s your best price?
2 million. Come to the district center for discussion, maybe we can adjust.
Alright, but I’d like to understand the process first.
Not over the phone, but WhatsApp works. Here’s my number... please share yours for me to respond.
This person elaborated the process over two calls.
What kind of surrogate do you need? We have variety but it costs.
Fit and healthy, irrespective of origin.
She will be, medically tested before proceeding.
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Can we meet the surrogate?
No. See from a distance. We suggest not meeting.
But why? We need assurance. Others let meet at the heartbeat ultrasound.
Your choice but I'd advise staying distant. You'll get the baby.
We want to be involved in this journey.
Ma'am, conflicts occur. Surrogates are poor, meeting parents leads to blackmail or refusal to hand over the child. How will you handle it?
Does that happen?
Multiple times. It's common reason we keep parents and surrogates apart.
How will we verify the baby is ours? DNA test before handover?
Not standard but you need to trust. Attend IVF procedure, we will select surrogates and share photos.
Documents needed, sir?
None initially. We handle legalities.
What’s the process? Any paperwork required?
The conventional process is lengthy and not all qualify. Need a close known surrogate not needing money. External settlements happen under-the-table.
What’s done then?
We avoid medical records. If all four parties consent, surrogacy proceeds discreetly.
Four parties, sir?
You, me, surrogate, and clinic.
Source: aajtak
When can the process begin?
Upon token payment, we send surrogate photos. Selection takes 15-20 days and speeds up thereafter.
Can I pay online?
No, only cash. One-off UPI for the IVF clinic up to a million.
Arranging so much cash is tough.
That’s our policy. No online or checks.
Okay. Will there be an agreement among all parties?
There will, but futile as the process is illegal. Court appeals are not feasible if issues arise.
Why not via legal routes, we are willing?
Any known person willing free of cost? Commercial is banned. Who would then do it? Even legal documents cost special payments.
Annoyance felt from voice...
Alright, what documents do you require from me?
Just Aadhaar initially. Future documents irrelevant as we won't provide any papers risking identification or ID demands from surrogates later. Birth certificates can be manipulated like – home or hospital delivery.
What are these?
Home delivery implies birth at home. Preferable to save client costs. However, hospitals charge more.
So, home birth is ideal?
No, delivery in hospital but minor documentation tweaks save expenses.
Illegal operations but comforting suggestions to win client trust...
Signing-off with cautionary advice – ‘Pay in instalments, never in full upfront whether dealing with me or anyone else.’
Source: aajtak
Banning commercial surrogacy partly aimed to curb India’s reputation as a baby factory for foreign couples. Costs here were 6-10 times lower encouraging them to hire surrogates and return home with a baby. To meet such demands, some surrogates were trafficked. Ten years ago, a racket was busted using 13-14-year-old tribal girls from Jharkhand as surrogates. One was used six times over like a machine under pretense of household work. Another birthed ten children.
Recently, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) suspected various IVF clinics of running baby trafficking disguised as surrogacy, using coordinators and agents who linked childless couples to the illicit network.
I posed as a British passport holder seeking an Indian surrogate. Read the interaction...
Where are you now?
Delhi.
Source: aajtak
Will you take the surrogate to Britain?
Yes, if not resolved here.
What type do you need? We have girls.
Young, Hindu, reasonably presentable.
During conversation, a family photo of a woman, child, and man in a mall arrives...
She appears from a good family, willing for surrogacy?
For a good price, yes. What can you offer in the UK? A doctor offered 4 million but asked for a video body checkup. We declined.
Okay. But all tests must be conducted before a contract?
Yes, hospital-tested, not via video.
Does she have a passport?
No, but will get within 15 days. Pay token amount.
Only one photo? Send options.
Sending now. Select soon...
More pictures followed with brief phone interactions with potential surrogates. This organized, flourishing racket involves agents, doctors, and large hospitals. Despite strict Indian surrogacy laws (refer graphics), enforcement remains weak.
Source: aajtak
(Up next: despite commercial surrogacy ban, agents offer surrogates for your preference as soon as payments are confirmed. Tomorrow - Part 2, learn how childless couples and agents dynamically negotiate with aspiring surrogate mothers for large sums.)
