PCPNDT Act was enacted to prevent

Correct option is B

The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act was enacted in 1994 to prevent the misuse of diagnostic techniques for sex-selective abortions. The law aims to curb the practice of determining the sex of the fetus and using that information to carry out selective abortions based on gender, which often leads to female foeticide.
· The PCPNDT Act seeks to eliminate discrimination against females and promote gender equality.
· It prohibits the use of ultrasound and other diagnostic techniques for sex determination.
· The Act also regulates and monitors genetic counseling clinics, genetic laboratories, and ultrasonography centers.
Thus, the correct answer is (b) Sex selective Abortions.
Information Booster:
Key Provisions of the PCPNDT Act:
1. Ban on sex determination: It prohibits the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques to determine the sex of a fetus.
2. Strict Regulation: It mandates the registration of clinics that use prenatal diagnostic techniques.
3. Penalties: Offenders can face imprisonment and fines for violating the provisions of the Act.
Importance of the Act:
· Gender Equality: Prevents gender-based discrimination and promotes the value of the girl child.
· Reducing Female Foeticide: It is an essential step towards eliminating female foeticide and improving the status of women in society.
Additional Information (Incorrect Options):
1. Child Labour (a): Addressed by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, not the PCPNDT Act.
2. Domestic Violence (c): Addressed by the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005).
3. Dowry (d): Governed by the Dowry Prohibition Act (1961), not related to PCPNDT.