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Reproductive Health

NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter 3

Reproductive Health for Class 12 Biology and NEET: contraception, MTP, sexually transmitted infections, infertility, IVF, ZIFT and GIFT.

5 topics Updated 8 Nov 2026

For: Class 12 and NEET

In the syllabus: NEET Class 12 syllabus

With your textbook

NCERT Biology (Class 12), Chapter 3 “Reproductive Health”, reprint 2026-27.

Open the official NCERT chapter (PDF, 1.3 MB, ncert.nic.in)

Checked on 19 Oct 2026.

Learn in this order

  1. Reproductive health: problems and strategies

    Reproductive health for Class 12 Biology and NEET: WHO’s definition, family planning and RCH programmes, sex education, amniocentesis and its ban.

    NCERT Section 3.1 10 min read 3 solved examples 6 practice questions

  2. Population stabilisation and birth control

    Contraceptive methods for Class 12 Biology and NEET: population growth, natural and barrier methods, IUDs like Copper T, pills, vasectomy and tubectomy.

    NCERT Section 3.2 14 min read 4 solved examples 10 practice questions

  3. Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP)

    Medical termination of pregnancy for Class 12 Biology and NEET: why MTP is done, the MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021, first-trimester safety, female foeticide.

    NCERT Section 3.3 11 min read 3 solved examples 6 practice questions

  4. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

    Sexually transmitted infections for Class 12 Biology and NEET: common STIs, spread of hepatitis-B and HIV, which are curable, complications and prevention.

    NCERT Section 3.4 9 min read 3 solved examples 7 practice questions

  5. Infertility and assisted reproductive technologies

    Infertility for Class 12 Biology and NEET: causes, IVF with ZIFT and IUT, GIFT, ICSI, artificial insemination and IUI, and legal adoption.

    NCERT Section 3.5 10 min read 3 solved examples 7 practice questions

Key formulas in this chapter

Reproductive health: problems and strategies

  • reproductive health (WHO): physical, emotional, behavioural, social well-being
  • family planning: 1951 (NCERT) → broader RCH services
  • amniocentesis: tests amniotic fluid for genetic disorders
  • ban: amniocentesis for sex determination (female foeticide)
  • Saheli: CDRI, Lucknow

Population stabilisation and birth control

  • under 2 per cent annually = under 20/1000/year
  • marriageable age: female 18, male 21
  • NCERT calendar example: days 10–17; actual fertile windows vary
  • LAM: amenorrhea + full/nearly full breastfeeding + infant under 6 months
  • pill schedules vary; Saheli: non-steroidal, once a week (NCERT)
  • emergency contraception: NCERT 72 hours; WHO options up to 120 hours
  • vasectomy: vas deferens; tubectomy: fallopian tube

Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP)

  • MTP = induced abortion
  • legalised in India: 1971
  • earlier care generally has lower risk; safe care is not limited to 12 weeks
  • 2021 Act: up to 20 weeks one practitioner; >20–24 weeks two, for prescribed categories; exceptions apply

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

  • STI: transmission category; RTI: site category; not exact synonyms
  • viral STI management differs: HIV, HSV, chronic HBV and HPV
  • also by needles, blood, mother to foetus: hepatitis-B, HIV
  • complications: PID, ectopic pregnancy, infertility
  • high incidence: 15–24 years

Infertility and assisted reproduction

  • IVF + ET = test tube baby
  • NCERT ZIFT: zygote/up to 8 blastomeres → fallopian tube
  • NCERT IUT comparison: more than 8 blastomeres → uterus; not an absolute clinical cutoff
  • GIFT: gametes (eggs and sperm) → fallopian tube
  • ICSI: sperm injected into oocyte; IUI: semen (clinically, washed sperm) into uterus

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