India is a globally recognized destination for affordable surrogacy, with costs typically ranging from $15,000 to $25,000. This comprehensive package usually includes IVF treatment, full surrogate care, legal documentation, and delivery services. Currently, only altruistic surrogacy is permitted in the country. The average success rates are between 35–45% when using the intended mother’s own eggs and 55–65% with donor eggs.
However, due to recent legal restrictions for foreign intended parents, surrogacy in Iran has emerged as an increasingly popular alternative for international couples.
What Is the Average Surrogacy Cost in India 2025?
The average surrogacy cost in India ranges between $15,000 to $25,000 (₹10–12 lakhs) depending on the clinic, the medical needs of the intended parents, and the type of package chosen. Compared to countries like the USA where surrogacy can exceed $80,000, India has long been considered one of the most affordable destinations for surrogacy. However, since the Surrogacy Regulation Act (2021–2023 updates), only altruistic surrogacy is legally permitted, which affects how costs are structured today.
What Is the Average Surrogacy Cost in India?
The total cost of surrogacy in India is made up of several components:
- IVF Cycle (including ICSI): $2,000 – $4,000: Covers egg and sperm retrieval, fertilization in the lab, and embryo transfer.
- Surrogate Screening & Matching: $1,000 – $2,500: Includes medical, psychological, and lifestyle evaluations of the surrogate.
- Antenatal Care & Delivery: $3,000 – $5,000: Maternity care, ultrasounds, medical checkups, and hospital delivery expenses.
- Legal & Documentation: $1,000 – $2,000: Drafting and finalizing surrogacy agreements, obtaining necessary approvals, and birth registration.
- Agency/Clinic Coordination Fee: $2,000 – $4,000: Service charges for coordination, administration, and surrogate management.
When combined, these costs result in an all-inclusive package between $15,000 – $25,000, depending on clinic reputation and location. Many clinics even promote a complete surrogacy package for foreign nationals in India, which covers all medical, legal, and support services under a single transparent cost structure.
Standard Packages: Basic, Advanced, and Guaranteed Surrogacy
Indian fertility clinics usually provide structured surrogacy packages that include most of the essential services. The basic surrogacy package, which costs around ₹10,00,000 (approximately $15,000), typically covers one IVF cycle using the intended parents’ own eggs and sperm, along with the surrogate mother’s care, compensation, medications, and routine checkups.
For couples who need additional medical support, there is the advanced surrogacy package, priced at about ₹11,00,000 (around $17,000). This package includes IVF with donor eggs or sperm, full medical care and living expenses for the surrogate mother, as well as all necessary medications, consultations, and the hospital delivery.
The most comprehensive option is the guaranteed surrogacy package, which generally starts from ₹20,00,000 (over $25,000). In this plan, clinics provide multiple IVF cycles until a successful pregnancy is achieved. It covers surrogate care and compensation, all legal processes, hospital services, and delivery. Some clinics even offer a money-back guarantee if pregnancy does not occur.
Overall, these packages are designed to give intended parents a clear picture of the total costs, while offering flexibility for different medical situations such as infertility due to poor egg or sperm quality.
Factors That Affect Surrogacy Cost in India
When planning for surrogacy in India, it’s important to understand that the final surrogacy cost in India can vary depending on several key factors. These elements determine whether the overall expense stays close to the average or rises significantly.
Number of IVF Cycles Required
One of the biggest cost drivers is the number of IVF cycles needed to achieve a successful pregnancy. While some couples may achieve results in the first cycle, others might require multiple attempts. Each additional IVF cycle adds extra expenses for procedures, medications, and lab services, which directly impacts the surrogacy cost in India.
Use of Donor Eggs or Donor Sperm
The decision to use donor eggs or sperm can also influence the cost. Donor eggs, in particular, tend to increase the total expense since they require additional medical screenings, compensation for the donor, and advanced lab work. This option is often recommended for women with low egg quality or ovarian issues.
Surrogate Mother Compensation & Care
Compensation and care for the surrogate mother represent another major portion of the budget. This includes her medical care, living expenses, nutritional support, and compensation for her time and commitment. The amount can vary depending on agreements, the clinic’s policies, and the surrogate’s individual needs.
Clinic Reputation and Location
Finally, the reputation and location of the clinic play a significant role. Well-established clinics with higher success rates often charge more for their services. Similarly, clinics located in major cities like Delhi or Mumbai usually have higher fees compared to smaller towns, due to both medical infrastructure and overall cost of living.
Surrogacy Packages in India Explained
Indian fertility clinics typically offer a range of surrogacy packages to meet the needs of different intended parents. These packages are designed to cover the medical process, surrogate support, and legal procedures, while giving families clarity about the overall expenses involved.
Gestational Surrogacy with Own Eggs
This package is often the most affordable option, as it uses the intended mother’s eggs and father’s sperm to create embryos via IVF. Costs usually include one IVF cycle, surrogate care, routine medical checkups, and delivery charges. Since no donor is involved, expenses are comparatively lower, though extra cycles may increase the budget.
Surrogacy with Egg Donor
For women who face low ovarian reserve or poor egg quality, surrogacy with an egg donor becomes necessary. This package is slightly more expensive because it includes donor compensation, medical testing, and additional lab work. While the costs are higher than using self-eggs, the success rate often improves with healthy donor eggs.
Surrogacy with Frozen Embryos
Some intended parents already have frozen embryos from previous IVF cycles. In such cases, the surrogacy process only requires embryo transfer and surrogate care, making it more affordable than starting fresh IVF cycles. This package covers thawing, transfer, surrogate support, medications, and delivery-related expenses.
Exit Process and Additional Costs
Beyond medical procedures, intended parents should also plan for the legal and administrative steps required after the baby’s birth. These include the baby’s birth certificate, passport, and sometimes DNA testing to prove parentage. Travel, accommodation, and legal documentation fees add to the total budget, and they should be factored in early to avoid unexpected expenses.
Surrogacy Laws in India (2023–2025 Updates)
In recent years, India has made significant changes to its surrogacy regulations. The latest laws, updated between 2023 and 2025, have redefined who can pursue surrogacy and under what conditions. These updates are designed to prevent exploitation and ensure ethical practices in surrogacy arrangements.
Only Altruistic Surrogacy Allowed
Commercial surrogacy has been banned in India. At present, only altruistic surrogacy is permitted, meaning the surrogate mother can only be compensated for medical expenses and basic living costs during pregnancy. No additional financial incentives or profit-making arrangements are legally allowed.
Eligibility for Intended Parents
Indian laws restrict surrogacy to married heterosexual couples who have been married for at least five years. The couple must prove infertility through medical certification. Same-sex couples, single parents, and live-in partners are not eligible under the current legal framework.
Requirements for Surrogate Mothers
The surrogate mother must be a close relative of the intended couple, married, and have at least one biological child of her own. Her age should fall between 25 and 35 years. She can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime, as mandated by Indian regulations.
Legal Documentation & Birth Registration
Legal approval is mandatory before starting the surrogacy process. Couples need to obtain a medical certificate of infertility and clearance from the relevant authorities. After the child is born, the intended parents are recognized as the legal parents, and the birth certificate is issued in their name without mentioning the surrogate mother.
Ban on Foreigners and NRIs
Since 2015, India has prohibited foreign nationals, overseas citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from pursuing surrogacy within the country. The process is strictly reserved for Indian citizens who meet the eligibility criteria. Because of these restrictions, many international couples are now choosing alternative destinations. For example, surrogacy in Iran has become increasingly popular due to its more flexible regulations, lower costs, and availability for foreigners who are not eligible in India.
Surrogacy Success Rate in India
The success rate of surrogacy in India depends on several factors, including the medical condition of the intended parents, the quality of eggs and sperm, and the type of fertility treatment used. While India has seen good results, many couples also compare options abroad, as countries like Iran often report higher overall success rates with advanced fertility methods.
Success with Self-Eggs and Sperm
When both eggs and sperm come from the intended parents, the success rate in India generally ranges between 35% and 45% per IVF cycle. This outcome depends largely on the woman’s age and reproductive health. In comparison, fertility clinics offering surrogacy in Iran report slightly higher rates, averaging 40% to 50%, thanks to modern IVF laboratories and individualized treatment protocols.
Success with Donor Eggs
Using donor eggs significantly increases the chances of success, especially for women with low ovarian reserve or poor egg quality. In India, success rates with donor eggs usually reach 55% to 65%. In Iran, however, clinics often achieve 60% to 70% success rates, making it a favorable alternative for couples who want higher probabilities with fewer IVF cycles.
Success with Donor Sperm
When donor sperm is used—often in cases of severe male infertility—the success rate in India can range from 50% to 60%. Iranian clinics report very similar outcomes, often within the 55% to 65% range, as both countries follow advanced semen analysis and sperm preparation techniques to optimize embryo quality.
Advanced Fertility Approaches
The introduction of advanced fertility techniques, such as PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing), ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), and blastocyst culture, has improved outcomes for intended parents in India. With these methods, some clinics claim overall surrogacy success rates of up to 70%. Still, many couples consider Iran because clinics there often integrate the same technologies with lower overall costs, making surrogacy in Iran both medically effective and financially attractive.
Why Choose India for Surrogacy?
India has long been recognized as a leading destination for surrogacy due to its combination of cost-effective treatments, experienced fertility specialists, and modern medical facilities. While India remains attractive for many couples, surrogacy in Iran is also emerging as a viable option, offering competitive success rates and favorable regulations for international patients.
Cost-Effective Treatments
One of the main reasons couples choose India is the lower overall cost. Standard surrogacy packages in India range from $15,000 to $25,000, significantly cheaper than countries like the USA, where costs can exceed $80,000. Similarly, Iran provides competitive pricing, often within the same range as India, while maintaining high-quality care, making it a suitable alternative for couples seeking affordability without compromising outcomes.
Experienced Fertility Specialists
India is home to highly skilled fertility specialists with extensive experience in IVF and surrogacy treatments. Clinics follow international standards and advanced protocols to ensure high success rates. In India, surrogacy with donor eggs can achieve 55–65% success rates, while with self-eggs it’s around 35–45%. In comparison, surrogacy in Iran often reports slightly higher rates—40–50% with self-eggs and 60–70% with donor eggs—making it an attractive alternative for couples seeking higher probabilities of success.
Modern Clinics and Technology
Indian clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced embryology equipment, and comprehensive patient support systems. Techniques such as ICSI, PGT, and blastocyst culture are commonly used to improve outcomes. Iranian fertility clinics also offer cutting-edge technology and personalized care, achieving comparable success rates while sometimes providing a more flexible and cost-effective treatment environment.
Comparison with Surrogacy in the USA
While the USA has some of the world’s most advanced fertility facilities, surrogacy there is significantly more expensive, with total costs often ranging between $80,000 and $120,000. Success rates are comparable or slightly higher, but the financial burden can be prohibitive for many couples. In contrast, both India and Iran offer a balance of high-quality care, modern technology, and more affordable surrogacy options, making them increasingly popular destinations for international patients.
Conclusion
Surrogacy in India offers a combination of cost-effective packages, experienced fertility specialists, and modern medical facilities, making it one of the leading destinations for couples seeking to build their family. With options ranging from basic to guaranteed surrogacy packages, intended parents can plan their journey with clarity on surrogacy cost in India, medical procedures, and legal requirements.
Success rates in India vary depending on the type of IVF treatment and whether donor eggs or sperm are used. While self-egg surrogacy averages around 35–45% success per cycle, using donor eggs increases success to 55–65%. Advanced fertility techniques can push overall success rates even higher, reaching up to 70% in some clinics.
However, due to recent legal restrictions, including the ban on foreigners and NRIs, many international couples are exploring alternative destinations. Surrogacy in Iran has emerged as a strong option, offering competitive success rates, modern clinics, and flexible regulations for international patients. With similar or slightly higher success rates—40–50% for self-eggs and 60–70% with donor eggs—Iran provides an appealing, cost-effective alternative for couples unable to pursue surrogacy in India.
Ultimately, whether choosing India or Iran, couples now have multiple safe and effective options for starting their family through surrogacy, supported by advanced medical care, legal frameworks, and personalized services.