Telangana's Fertility Rate Falls to 1.5; Experts Call for Transparent and Ethical Fertility Care

Hyderabad, August 4, 2026: With Telangana's Total Fertility Rate declining to nearly 1.5 children per woman, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, Nova IVF Fertility organised a panel discussion in Hyderabad to highlight the importance of transparent, ethical and patient-centric fertility care. The discussion focused on creating awareness about the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 (ART Act) and empowering couples to make informed decisions before undergoing fertility treatment.

Titled "Beyond IVF: Building Trust, Ethics and Awareness in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)," the panel brought together experts from the fertility sector, law enforcement, medico-legal services and the media. The session was moderated by Dr. Hima Deepthi, Clinical Director and Senior Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility.

The panel featured Shri P. Murali Krishna, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Panjagutta Division, Hyderabad City Police; Ms. Kaniza Garari, Executive Editor, Newsmeter; Dr. Geetendra Sharma, Senior Medico-Legal Consultant; and Mr. Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility.

The experts observed that infertility affects nearly one in six couples, while Telangana's declining fertility rate makes fertility care an important public health issue. They stressed that patients should verify whether a fertility clinic is registered under the ART Act, understand their legal rights and seek transparent information before beginning treatment.

Speaking at the event, Shri P. Murali Krishna said that while IVF technology has advanced significantly, instances of malpractice by a few unethical operators continue to emerge. He urged all fertility organisations to prominently display information about the ART Act and actively educate patients about their legal rights and available safeguards.

Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility, said that although the ART Act has introduced much-needed regulation in fertility care, public awareness remains equally important. He noted that patients must understand what ethical fertility care looks like and be empowered with accurate information before making treatment decisions. He also emphasised that building trust in assisted reproductive technology requires collaboration between policymakers, regulators, law enforcement, healthcare providers and the media.

Highlighting the legal aspects of fertility treatment, Dr. Geetendra Sharma explained that the ART Act protects patients through informed consent, confidentiality, transparent documentation, donor regulations and accountability. He added that both doctors and patients should be fully aware of the legal provisions governing assisted reproductive technology to ensure safe and ethical treatment.

Speaking on the role of the media, Ms. Kaniza Garari said responsible journalism plays a crucial role in separating scientific facts from misinformation, reducing the stigma associated with infertility and encouraging couples to rely on verified medical information.

The panel concluded that strengthening India's assisted reproductive technology ecosystem requires not only regulatory compliance but also greater awareness among patients. With fertility becoming an increasing public health priority, especially in states such as Telangana, experts called for collective efforts to ensure every couple has access to ethical, transparent and high-quality fertility care.

Checklist for Couples Before Undergoing Fertility Treatment

• Verify that the fertility clinic is ART Act-compliant and registered.

• Understand the treatment process, costs and realistic success rates.

• Seek medical, financial and emotional counselling.

• Read and sign informed consent documents carefully.

• Expect privacy, transparency and ethical standards throughout the treatment process.