Surrogacy vs Adoption Cost in India: A Complete Guide for Parents

Surrogacy vs Adoption Cost in India: A Complete Guide for Parents

When families dream of having children but experience difficulty conceiving naturally, there are basically two options: surrogacy and adoption. Both options could help you grow your family, but they have very different costs, timelines, and processes. In India, there is a huge gap in terms of cost between the two; surrogacy being 40-50 times more expensive compared to adoption.

This guide will help you navigate the financial aspects of both options, weigh the pros and cons, and decide which is best for your family’s circumstances and budget.

Understanding Surrogacy and Adoption

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is when another woman, a surrogate mother, carries and gives birth to a baby for you. Only altruistic surrogacy is legal in India, so the surrogate cannot be compensated beyond medical bills and simple care. The IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) procedure is used to create a baby using the intended parent’s or donor's eggs and sperm.

What is Adoption?

Adoption is when you legally become the parents of a child who was born to other parents. In India, adoption is managed by CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority), which ensures the process is safe and legal for everyone involved.

Cost Breakdown: Surrogacy vs Adoption in India

Cost Comparison: Surrogacy vs Adoption in India - Surrogacy costs significantly more than adoption The most striking difference between surrogacy and adoption is the cost. Let's break down what you can expect to pay for each option.

Surrogacy Costs in India

The total cost of surrogacy in India ranges ($24,000 to $36,000). Here's what this includes:

Example: Priya and Raj from Delhi spent ₹28 lakhs on their surrogacy journey. This included ₹4.5 lakhs for IVF procedures, ₹3.5 lakhs for the surrogate's care, ₹1.8 lakhs in legal fees, and ₹18.2 lakhs for other expenses, including multiple IVF attempts.

Adoption Costs in India

The total cost of adoption in India is much lower, ranging from ₹45,000 to ₹60,000 (around $540 to $720). Here's the breakdown:

Example: Meera and Suresh from Mumbai adopted their daughter through CARA for a total of ₹52,000. This included all government fees, legal procedures, and travel costs to the adoption agency in Pune.

Time Comparison: How Long Does Each Process Take?

Surrogacy Timeline

• Initial Setup (1-2 months): Medical tests, legal documentation
• IVF Process (2-3 months): Egg retrieval, embryo creation, transfer
• Pregnancy Period (9 months): Monitoring and care until delivery
• Legal Completion (1 month): Final paperwork and registration

Adoption Timeline

• Registration & Home Study (3-6 months)
• Waiting for Match (2-3.5 years)
• Pre-adoption Foster Care (2-6 months)
• Legal Finalization (2-3 months)

Currently, there are over 35,000 registered prospective parents, but only about 2,400 children available for adoption.

Success Rates: What Are Your Chances?

Surrogacy Success Rates

• Overall Success Rate: 50-80%
• With Own Eggs (under 35 years): 50-60%
• With Donor Eggs: 70-75%
• Multiple Attempts: Up to 90% success over 3 cycles

Adoption Success Rates

Adoption has a 100% success rate once you're matched with a child.

Legal Requirements: What You Need to Qualify

Surrogacy Requirements

• Married for at least 5 years
• Female (25-50 years), Male (26-55 years)
• Childless or have only one child with disability
• Medical certificate of infertility
• Financial stability
• Clean criminal record

Adoption Requirements

• Married for at least 2 years (single women can adopt)
• Combined age ≤ 110 years, individual 25-55 years
• Can adopt even with biological children
• Medical fitness and financial assessment
• Police verification and background checks

Advantages and Disadvantages

Surrogacy

• Advantages: Genetic connection, faster process, control over pregnancy, multiple attempts
• Disadvantages: Very expensive, complex legal process, emotional challenges, medical risks

Adoption

• Advantages: Affordable, social good, legal simplicity, no medical procedures
• Disadvantages: Long wait time, no genetic connection, limited choice, unknown background

Financial Planning Tips

For Surrogacy:

• Start saving 2-3 years in advance
• Check insurance coverage
• Keep an emergency fund of ₹5-10 lakhs
• Plan for 2-3 IVF cycles
• Explore personal loans or fertility financing

For Adoption:

• Budget ₹60,000-80,000
• Plan travel expenses and legal consultation
• Save for post-adoption child care

Examples from Real Families

Surrogacy Success Story: Kavita and Rohit from Bangalore faced multiple IVF failures over 4 years. They chose surrogacy and spent ₹26 lakhs over 14 months. Their surrogate had a healthy pregnancy, and they now have twin boys. "The cost was high, but having our biological children made it worth every rupee," says Kavita.

Adoption Success Story: Anjali and Vikram from Chennai adopted their son through CARA after a 3.5-year wait. Total expenses were ₹48,000. "The wait was long, but the moment we held our son, we knew it was meant to be. The low cost allowed us to save for his education instead," shares Anjali.

Important Considerations Before Choosing

Choose Surrogacy If:

• You want a genetic connection
• You have ₹20-30 lakhs
• You want faster completion (1-1.5 years)
• You can provide eggs but can’t carry a pregnancy
• You are ready for complex legal work

Choose Adoption If:

• You are budget-conscious (₹50,000)
• You want to help a child in need
• You can wait 3-4 years
• A genetic link is not essential
• You prefer a government-managed process

Final Thoughts

Both surrogacy and adoption are beautiful ways to build your family. The choice between them depends on your financial situation, personal preferences, and life circumstances.

Surrogacy offers a genetic connection but requires significant financial investment, while adoption is more affordable but involves longer waiting periods.

Whatever path you choose, ensure you work with reputable agencies and legal advisors to make your parenthood journey smooth and successful.

Remember, the cost of building a family is an investment in your future happiness. Whether you spend ₹50,000 or ₹25 lakhs, the joy of holding your child will be priceless.