Sterilization services are provided free of charge in Government Institutions. Guidelines have been issued from time to time by the Government covering various aspects of sterilization. These are :
- The age of the husband should not ordinarily be less than 25 years nor should it be over 50 years.
- The age of the wife should not be less than 20 years or more than 45 years.
- The motivated couple must have 2 living children at the time of operation.
- If the couple has 3 or more living children, the lower limit of age of husband or wife may be relaxed at the discretion of the operating surgeon.
- It is sufficient if the acceptor declares having obtained the consent of his / her spouse to undergo sterilization operation without outside pressure, inducement or coercion, and that he /she knows that for all practical purposes, the operation is irreversible and also that the spouse has not been sterilized earlier.