New Delhi, July 1 -- The Centre has made it mandatory for fertility clinics and semen banks to renew their registration certificates, or licenses, every five years, and for surrogacy clinics every three years, by paying a non-refundable fee that can double if payment is not made within the stipulated time.

The policy change, according to doctors, establishes a standardized license renewal process for assisted reproductive technology facilities and surrogacy clinics mushrooming in the country.

"This will ensure that people upgrade their facilities and services when it is time for renewal. They will step up their services, maintain records better, and improve the quality of their work. Right now, inspection and approval have only been com...