Medical law: PCPNDT Act: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Medical law: PCPNDT Act

Sample item

During a routine antenatal ultrasound, a couple asks the sonologist to tell them the fetal sex. What is the correct legal position?

AIt is permitted if it is communicated by hand signals rather than in wordsBIt is permitted if the couple gives written consentCIt is permitted if the couple already has two daughtersDDisclosing the fetal sex in any manner is prohibited and punishable under the PCPNDT Act

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Disclosing the fetal sex in any manner is prohibited and punishable under the PCPNDT Act

The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act prohibits sex selection and the determination or disclosure of fetal sex by words, signs or any other method. Violations attract imprisonment and fine, and the registration of the centre may be suspended. Records, including Form F for every pregnant woman scanned, must be maintained.

Option by option

A. It is permitted if it is communicated by hand signals rather than in words
The Act covers words, signs and any other method of disclosure.
B. It is permitted if the couple gives written consent
Consent of the couple does not legalise disclosure of fetal sex.
C. It is permitted if the couple already has two daughters
Family composition does not create an exception to the prohibition.
D. Disclosing the fetal sex in any manner is prohibited and punishable under the PCPNDT Act (correct)
Correct. Any communication of fetal sex is an offence under the Act.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Disclosing the fetal sex in any manner is prohibited and punishable under the PCPNDT Act. The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act prohibits sex selection and the determination or disclosure of fetal sex by words, signs or any other method.

Why is "It is permitted if it is communicated by hand signals rather than in…" not the answer?

The Act covers words, signs and any other method of disclosure.

Why is "It is permitted if the couple gives written consent" not the answer?

Consent of the couple does not legalise disclosure of fetal sex.

Why is "It is permitted if the couple already has two daughters" not the answer?

Family composition does not create an exception to the prohibition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical law: PCPNDT Act in Forensic Medicine. Violations attract imprisonment and fine, and the registration of the centre may be suspended. Records, including Form F for every pregnant woman scanned, must be maintained.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Medical law: PCPNDT Act?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.