The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017

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THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND ACQUIRED  

IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (PREVENTION AND  

CONTROL) ACT, 2017 

__________ 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
___________ 

CHAPTER I  

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN ACTS 

3. Prohibition of discrimination. 
4. Prohibition of certain acts. 

CHAPTER III 

INFORMED CONSENT 

5. Informed consent for undertaking HIV test or treatment. 

6. Informed consent not required for conducting HIV tests in certain cases. 

7. Guidelines for testing centres, etc. 
 

CHAPTER IV 

DISCLOSURE OF HIV STATUS 

8. Disclosure of HIV status. 
9. Disclosure of HIV-positive status to partner of HIV-positive person. 
10. Duty to prevent transmission of HIV. 

CHAPTER V 

OBLIGATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS 

11. Confidentiality of data. 
12. HIV and AIDS policy for establishments. 

 

CHAPTER VI 

ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY AND OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION MANAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE  

LIVING WITH HIV 

13. Central Government and State Government to take measures. 

14. Anti-retroviral Therapy and Opportunistic Infection Management by Central Government and 

State Government. 

CHAPTER VII 

WELFARE MEASURES BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT 

15. Welfare measures by Central Government and State Government. 

16. Protection of property of children affected by HIV or AIDS. 

17. Promotion of HIV and AIDS related information, education and communication programmes. 

18. Women and children infected with HIV or AIDS. 

  



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CHAPTER VIII 

SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT 

SECTIONS 

19. Obligation of establishments to provide safe working environment. 

20. General responsibility of establishments. 

21. Grievance redressal mechanism. 

CHAPTER IX 

PROMOTION OF STRATEGIES FOR REDUCTION OF RISK 

22. Strategies for reduction of risk. 

CHAPTER X 

APPOINTMENT OF OMBUDSMAN 

23. Appointment of Ombudsman. 

24. Powers of Ombudsman. 

25. Procedure of complaint. 

26. Orders of Ombudsman. 

27. Authorities to assist Ombudsman. 

28. Report to State Government. 

CHAPTER XI 

SPECIAL PROVISIONS 

29. Right of residence. 

30. HIV-related information, education and communication before marriage. 

31. Persons in care or custody of State. 

32. Recognition of guardianship of older sibling. 

33. Living wills for guardianship and testamentary guardianship. 

 

CHAPTER XII 

SPECIAL PROCEDURE IN COURT 

34. Suppression of identity. 

35. Maintenance applications. 

36. Sentencing. 

CHAPTER XIII 

PENALTIES 

37. Penalty for contravention. 

38. Penalty for failure to comply with orders of Ombudsman. 

39. Penalty for breach of confidentiality in legal proceeding. 

40. Prohibition of victimisation. 

41. Court to try offences. 

42. Offences to be cognizable and bailable. 

CHAPTER XIV 

MISCELLANEOUS 

43. Act to have overriding effect. 

44. Protection of action taken in good faith. 

45. Delegation of powers. 

46. Guidelines. 

47. Power of Central Government to make rules. 

48. Laying of rules before both Houses of Parliament. 

49. Power of State Government to make rules and laying thereof. 

50. Power to remove difficulties. 



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THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND ACQUIRED  

IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (PREVENTION AND  

CONTROL) ACT, 2017 

ACT NO. 16 OF 2017 

[20th April, 2017.]  

An Act to provide for the prevention and control of the spread of Human Immunodeficiency 

Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and for the protection of human rights of 

persons affected by the said virus and syndrome and for matters connected therewith or 

incidental thereto. 

WHEREAS the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency 

Syndrome is a matter of grave concern to all and there is an urgent need for the prevention and control of 

said virus and syndrome; 

AND WHEREAS there is a need to protect and secure the human rights of persons who are HIV-

positive, affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and 

vulnerable to the said virus and syndrome; 

AND WHEREAS there is a necessity for effective care, support and treatment for Human 

Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; 

AND WHEREAS there is a need to protect the rights of healthcare providers and other persons in 

relation to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; 

AND WHEREAS the General Assembly of the United Nations, recalling and reaffirming its previous 

commitments on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, has 

adopted the Declaration of Commitment on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune 

Deficiency Syndrome (2001) to address the problems of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired 

Immune Deficiency Syndrome in all its aspects and to secure a global commitment to enhancing 

coordination and intensification of national, regional and international efforts to combat it in a 

comprehensive manner; 

AND WHEREAS the Republic of India, being a signatory to the aforesaid Declaration, it is expedient to 

give effect to the said Declaration. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows:–– 

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title, extent and commencement.––(1) This Act may be called the Human 

Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 

2017. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India. 

(3) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the 

Official Gazette, appoint. 

2. Definitions.––In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) “AIDS” means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a condition characterised by a 

combination of signs and symptoms, caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks and 

weakens the body’s immune system making the HIV-positive person susceptible to life threatening 

conditions or other conditions, as may be specified from time to time; 

                                                           
1. 10th September, 2018 vide Notification No. S.O. 4715(E) dated 10th September 2018, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part 

II, sec. 3(ii). 



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(b) “capacity to consent” means ability of an individual, determined on an objective basis, to 

understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of a proposed action and to make an informed 

decision concerning such action; 

(c) “child affected by HIV” means a person below the age of eighteen years, who is HIV-positive 

or whose parent or guardian (with whom such child normally resides) is HIV-positive or has lost a 

parent or guardian (with whom such child resided) due to AIDS or lives in a household fostering 

children orphaned by AIDS; 

(d) “discrimination” means any act or omission which directly or indirectly, expressly or by 

effect, immediately or over a period of time,— 

(i) imposes any burden, obligation, liability, disability or disadvantage on any person or 

category of persons, based on one or more HIV-related grounds; or 

(ii) denies or withholds any benefit, opportunity or advantage from any person or category of 

persons, based on one or more HIV-related grounds, 

and the expression “discriminate” to be construed accordingly. 

Explanation 1.—For the purposes of this clause, HIV-related grounds include— 

(i) being an HIV-positive person; 

(ii) ordinarily living, residing or cohabiting with a person who is HIV-positive person; 

(iii) ordinarily lived, resided or cohabited with a person who was HIV-positive. 

Explanation 2.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that adoption of medically 

advised safeguards and precautions to minimise the risk of infection shall not amount to 

discrimination; 

(e) “domestic relationship” means a relationship as defined under clause (f) of section 2 of the 

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (43 of 2005); 

(f) “establishment” means a body corporate or co-operative society or any organisation or institution 

or two or more persons jointly carrying out a systematic activity for a period of twelve months or more at 

one or more places for consideration or otherwise, for the production, supply or distribution of goods or 

services; 

(g) “guidelines” means any statement or any other document issued by the Central Government 

indicating policy or procedure or course of action relating to HIV and AIDS to be followed by the Central 

Government, State Governments, governmental and non-governmental organisations and establishments 

and individuals dealing with prevention, control and treatment of HIV or AIDS; 

(h) “healthcare provider” means any individual whose vocation or profession is directly or 

indirectly related to the maintenance of the health of another individual and includes any physician, 

nurse, paramedic, psychologist, counsellor or other individual providing medical, nursing, 

psychological or other healthcare services including HIV prevention and treatment services; 

(i) “HIV” means Human Immunodeficiency Virus; 

(j) “HIV-affected person” means an individual who is HIV-positive or whose partner (with whom 

such individual normally resides) is HIV-positive or has lost a partner (with whom such individual 

resided) due to AIDS; 

(k) “HIV-positive person” means a person whose HIV test has been confirmed positive; 

(l) “HIV-related information” means any information relating to the HIV status of a person and 

includes— 

(i) information relating to the undertaking performing the HIV test or result of an HIV test; 

(ii) information relating to the care, support or treatment of that person; 

(iii) information which may identify that person; and  



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(iv) any other information concerning that person, which is collected, received, accessed or 

recorded in connection with an HIV test, HIV treatment or HIV-related research or the HIV status 

of that person; 

(m) “HIV test” means a test to determine the presence of an antibody or antigen of HIV; 

(n) “informed consent” means consent given by any individual or his representative specific to a 

proposed intervention without any coercion, undue influence, fraud, mistake or misrepresentation and such 

consent obtained after informing such individual or his representative, as the case may be, such 

information, as specified in the guidelines, relating to risks and benefits of, and alternatives to, the 

proposed intervention in such language and in such manner as understood by that individual or his 

representative, as the case may be; 

(o) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 

(p) “partner” means a spouse, de facto spouse or a person with whom another person has 

relationship in the nature of marriage; 

(q) “person” includes an individual, a Hindu Undivided Family, a company, a firm, an association 

of persons or a body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, in India or outside India, any 

corporation established by or under any Central or State Act or any company including a Government 

company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), any Limited Liability Partnership 

under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009), any body corporate incorporated by or 

under the laws of a country outside India, a co-operative society registered under any law relating to 

co-operative societies, a local authority, and every other artificial juridical person; 

(r) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government or the State 

Government, as the case may be; 

(s) “protected person” means a person who is— 

(i) HIV-Positive; or 

(ii) ordinarily living, residing or cohabiting with a person who is HIV-positive person; or 

(iii) ordinarily lived, resided or cohabited with a person who was HIV-positive; 

(t) “reasonable accommodation” means minor adjustments to a job or work that enables an  

HIV-positive person who is otherwise qualified to enjoy equal benefits or to perform the essential 

functions of the job or work, as the case may be; 

(u) “relative”, with reference to the protected person, means— 

(i) spouse of the protected person; 

(ii) parents of the protected person; 

(iii) brother or sister of the protected person; 

(iv) brother or sister of the spouse of the protected person; 

(v) brother or sister of either of the parents of the protected person; 

(vi) in the absence of any of the relatives mentioned at sub-clauses (i) to (v), any lineal 

ascendant or descendant of the protected person; 

(vii) in the absence of any of the relatives mentioned at sub-clauses (i) to (vi), any lineal 

ascendant or descendant of the spouse of the protected person; 

(v) “significant-risk” means— 

(a) the presence of significant-risk body substances; 

(b) a circumstance which constitutes significant-risk for transmitting or contracting HIV 

infection; or 

(c) the presence of an infectious source and an uninfected person. 



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Explanation.—For the purpose of this clause,— 

(i) “significant-risk body substances” are blood, blood products, semen, vaginal secretions, 

breast milk, tissue and the body fluids, namely, cerebrospinal, amniotic, peritoneal, synovial, 

pericardial and pleural; 

(ii) ‘‘circumstances which constitute significant-risk for transmitting or contracting HIV 

infection” are— 

(A) sexual intercourse including vaginal, anal or oral sexual intercourse which exposes an 

uninfected person to blood, blood products, semen or vaginal secretions of an HIV-positive 

person; 

(B) sharing of needles and other paraphernalia used for preparing and injecting drugs 

between HIV-positive persons and uninfected persons; 

(C) the gestation, giving birth or breast feeding of an infant when the mother is an  

HIV-positive person; 

(D) transfusion of blood, blood products, and transplantation of organs or other tissues 

from an HIV-positive person to an uninfected person, provided such blood, blood products, 

organs or other tissues have not been tested conclusively for the antibody or antigen of HIV 

and have not been rendered non-infective by heat or chemical treatment; and 

(E) other circumstances during which a significant-risk body substance, other than breast 

milk, of an HIV-positive person contacts or may contact mucous membranes including eyes, 

nose or mouth, non-intact skin including open wounds, skin with a dermatitis condition or 

abraded areas or the vascular system of an uninfected person, and including such 

circumstances not limited to needle-stick or puncture wound injuries and direct saturation or 

permeation of these body surfaces by the significant-risk body substances: 

Provided that “significant-risk” shall not include— 

(i) exposure to urine, faeces, sputum, nasal secretions, saliva, sweat, tears or vomit 

that does not contain blood that is visible to the naked eye; 

(ii) human bites where there is no direct blood to blood, or no blood to mucous 

membrane contact; 

(iii) exposure of intact skin to blood or any other blood substance; and 

(iv) occupational centres where individuals use scientifically accepted Universal 

Precautions, prohibitive techniques and preventive practices in circumstances which 

would otherwise pose a significant-risk and such techniques are not breached and remain 

intact; 

(w) “State AIDS Control Society” means the nodal agency of the State Government responsible 

for implementing programmes in the field of HIV and AIDS; 

(x) “State Government”, in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator of that Union 

territory appointed by the President under article 239 of the Constitution; and 

(y) “Universal Precautions” means control measures that prevent exposure to or reduce, the risk 

of transmission of pathogenic agents (including HIV) and includes education, training, personal 

protective equipment such as gloves, gowns and masks, hand washing, and employing safe work 

practices. 

  



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CHAPTER II 

PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN ACTS 

3. Prohibition of discrimination.—No person shall discriminate against the protected person on any 

ground including any of the following, namely:— 

(a) the denial of, or termination from, employment or occupation, unless, in the case of 

termination, the person, who is otherwise qualified, is furnished with— 

(i) a copy of the written assessment of a qualified and independent healthcare provider 

competent to do so that such protected person poses a significant risk of transmission of HIV to 

other person in the workplace, or is unfit to perform the duties of the job; and 

(ii) a copy of a written statement by the employer stating the nature and extent of 

administrative or financial hardship for not providing him reasonable accommodation; 

(b) the unfair treatment in, or in relation to, employment or occupation; 

(c) the denial or discontinuation of, or, unfair treatment in, healthcare services; 

(d) the denial or discontinuation of, or unfair treatment in, educational, establishments and 

services thereof; 

(e) the denial or discontinuation of, or unfair treatment with regard to, access to, or provision or 

enjoyment or use of any goods, accommodation, service, facility, benefit, privilege or opportunity 

dedicated to the use of the general public or customarily available to the public, whether or not for a 

fee, including shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment or the use of wells, 

tanks, bathing ghats, roads, burial grounds or funeral ceremonies and places of public resort; 

(f) the denial, or, discontinuation of, or unfair treatment with regard to, the right of movement; 

(g) the denial or discontinuation of, or, unfair treatment with regard to, the right to reside, 

purchase, rent, or otherwise occupy, any property; 

(h) the denial or discontinuation of, or, unfair treatment in, the opportunity to stand for, or, hold 

public or private office; 

(i) the denial of access to, removal from, or unfair treatment in, Government or private 

establishment in whose care or custody a person may be; 

(j) the denial of, or unfair treatment in, the provision of insurance unless supported by actuarial 

studies; 

(k) the isolation or segregation of a protected person; 

(l) HIV testing as a pre-requisite for obtaining employment, or accessing healthcare services or 

education or, for the continuation of the same or, for accessing or using any other service or facility: 

Provided that, in case of failure to furnish the written assessment under sub-clause (i) of  

clause (a), it shall be presumed that there is no significant-risk and that the person is fit to perform the 

duties of the job, as the case may be, and in case of the failure to furnish the written statement under 

sub-clause (ii) of that clause, it shall be presumed that there is no such undue administrative or 

financial hardship. 

4. Prohibition of certain acts.—No person shall, by words, either spoken or written, publish, 

propagate, advocate or communicate by signs or by visible representation or otherwise the feelings of 

hatred against any protected persons or group of protected person in general or specifically or 

disseminate, broadcast or display any information, advertisement or notice, which may reasonably be 

construed to demonstrate an intention to propagate hatred or which is likely to expose protected persons 

to hatred, discrimination or physical violence. 

  



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CHAPTER III 

INFORMED CONSENT 

5. Informed consent for undertaking HIV test or treatment.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this 

Act,— 

 (a) no HIV test shall be undertaken or performed upon any person; or 

(b) no protected person shall be subject to medical treatment, medical interventions or research, 

except with the informed consent of such person or his representative and in such manner, as may be 

specified in the guidelines. 

(2) The informed consent for HIV test shall include pre-test and post-test counselling to the person 

being tested or such person’s representative in the manner as may be specified in the guidelines. 

6. Informed consent not required for conducting HIV tests in certain cases.—The informed 

consent for conducting an HIV test shall not be required— 

(a) where a court determines, by an order that the carrying out of the HIV test of any person 

either as part of a medical examination or otherwise, is necessary for the determination of issues in 

the matter before it; 

(b) for procuring, processing, distribution or use of a human body or any part thereof including 

tissues, blood, semen or other body fluids for use in medical research or therapy: 

Provided that where the test results are requested by a donor prior to donation, the donor shall be 

referred to counselling and testing centre and such donor shall not be entitled to the results of the test 

unless he has received post-test counselling from such centre; 

(c) for epidemiological or surveillance purposes where the HIV test is anonymous and is not for 

the purpose of determining the HIV status of a person: 

Provided that persons who are subjects of such epidemiological or surveillance studies shall be 

informed of the purposes of such studies; and 

(d) for screening purposes in any licensed blood bank. 

7. Guidelines for testing centres, etc.—No HIV test shall be conducted or performed by any testing 

or diagnostic centre or pathology laboratory or blood bank, unless such centre or laboratory or blood bank 

follows the guidelines laid down for such test. 

CHAPTER IV 

DISCLOSURE OF HIV STATUS 

8. Disclosure of HIV status.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time 

being in force,— 

(i) no person shall be compelled to disclose his HIV status except by an order of the court that the 

disclosure of such information is necessary in the interest of justice for the determination of issues in 

the matter before it; 

(ii) no person shall disclose or be compelled to disclose the HIV status or any other private 

information of other person imparted in confidence or in a relationship of a fiduciary nature, except 

with the informed consent of that other person or a representative of such another person obtained in 

the manner as specified in section 5, as the case may be, and the fact of such consent has been 

recorded in writing by the person making such disclosure: 

Provided that, in case of a relationship of a fiduciary nature, informed consent shall be recorded 

in writing.  



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(2) The informed consent for disclosure of HIV-related information under clause (ii) of  

sub-section (1) is not required where the disclosure is made— 

(a) by a healthcare provider to another healthcare provider who is involved in the care, treatment 

or counselling of such person, when such disclosure is necessary to provide care or treatment to that 

person;  

(b) by an order of a court that the disclosure of such information is necessary in the interest of 

justice for the determination of issues and in the matter before it; 

(c) in suits or legal proceedings between persons, where the disclosure of such information is 

necessary in filing suits or legal proceedings or for instructing their counsel; 

(d) as required under the provisions of section 9; 

(e) if it relates to statistical or other information of a person that could not reasonably be expected 

to lead to the identification of that person; and 

(f) to the officers of the Central Government or the State Government or State AIDS Control 

Society of the concerned State Government, as the case may be, for the purposes of monitoring, 

evaluation or supervision. 

9. Disclosure of HIV-positive status to partner of HIV-positive person.—(1) No healthcare 

provider, except a physician or a counsellor, shall disclose the HIV-positive status of a person to his or 

her partner. 

(2) A healthcare provider, who is a physician or counsellor, may disclose the HIV-positive status of a 

person under his direct care to his or her partner, if such healthcare provider— 

(a) reasonably believes that the partner is at the significant risk of transmission of HIV from such 

person; and 

(b) such HIV-positive person has been counselled to inform such partner; and 

(c) is satisfied that the HIV-positive person will not inform such partner; and 

(d) has informed the HIV-positive person of the intention to disclose the HIV positive status to 

such partner:  

Provided that disclosure under this sub-section to the partner shall be made in person after 

counselling: 

Provided further that such healthcare provider shall have no obligation to identify or locate the 

partner of an HIV-positive person: 

Provided also that such healthcare provider shall not inform the partner of a woman where there is a 

reasonable apprehension that such information may result in violence, abandonment or actions which may 

have a severe negative effect on the physical or mental health or safety of such woman, her children, her 

relatives or someone who is close to her. 

(3) The healthcare provider under sub-section (1) shall not be liable for any criminal or civil action 

for any disclosure or non-disclosure of confidential HIV-related information made to a partner under this 

section. 

10. Duty to prevent transmission of HIV.—Every person, who is HIV-positive and has been 

counselled in accordance with the guidelines issued or is aware of the nature of HIV and its transmission, 

shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent the transmission of HIV to other persons which may 

include adopting strategies for the reduction of risk or informing in advance his HIV status before any 

sexual contact with any person or with whom needles are shared with: 

Provided that the provisions of this section shall not be applicable to prevent transmission through a 

sexual contact in the case of a woman, where there is a reasonable apprehension that such information 

may result in violence, abandonment or actions which may have a severe negative effect on the physical 

or mental health or safety of such woman, her children, her relatives or someone who is close to her. 

  



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CHAPTER V 

OBLIGATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS 

11. Confidentiality of data.—Every establishment keeping the records of HIV-related information of 

protected persons shall adopt data protection measures in accordance with the guidelines to ensure that 

such information is protected from disclosure. 

Explanation.— For the purpose of this section, data protection measures shall include procedures for 

protecting information from disclosure, procedures for accessing information, provision for security 

systems to protect the information stored in any form and mechanisms to ensure accountability and 

liability of persons in the establishment. 

12. HIV and AIDS policy for establishments.—The Central Government shall notify model HIV 

and AIDS policy for establishments, in such manner, as may be prescribed. 

CHAPTER VI 

ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY AND OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION MANAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE  

LIVING WITH HIV 

13. Central Government and State Government to take measures.—The Central Government and 

every State Government, as the case may be, shall take all such measures as it deems necessary and 

expedient for the prevention of spread of HIV or AIDS, in accordance with the guidelines. 

14. Antiretroviral Therapy and Opportunistic Infection Management by Central Government 

and State Government.—(1) The measures to be taken by the Central Government or the State 

Government under section 13 shall include the measures for providing, as far as possible, diagnostic 

facilities relating to HIV or AIDS, Anti-retroviral Therapy and Opportunistic Infection Management to 

people living with HIV or AIDS. 

(2) The Central Government shall issue necessary guidelines in respect of protocols for HIV and 

AIDS relating to diagnostic facilities, Anti-retroviral Therapy and Opportunistic Infection Management 

which shall be applicable to all persons and shall ensure their wide dissemination. 

CHAPTER VII 

WELFARE MEASURES BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT 

15. Welfare measures by Central Government and State Government.—(1) The Central 

Government and every State Government shall take measures to facilitate better access to welfare 

schemes to persons infected or affected by HIV or AIDS. 

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Central Government and State 

Governments shall frame schemes to address the needs of all protected persons. 

16. Protection of property of children affected by HIV or AIDS.—(1) The Central Government or 

the State Government, as the case may be, shall take appropriate steps to protect the property of children 

affected by HIV or AIDS for the protection of property of child affected by HIV or AIDS. 

(2) The parents or guardians of children affected by HIV and AIDS, or any person acting for 

protecting their interest, or a child affected by HIV and AIDS may approach the Child Welfare 

Committee for the safe keeping and deposit of documents related to the property rights of such child or to 

make complaints relating to such child being dispossessed or actual dispossession or trespass into such 

child’s house. 

Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, “Child Welfare Committee” means a Committee  

set-up under section 29 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (56 of 2000). 

17. Promotion of HIV and AIDS related information, education and communication 

programmes.—The Central Government and the State Government shall formulate HIV and AIDS 

related information, education and communication programmes which are age-appropriate,  

gender-sensitive, non-stigmatising and non-discriminatory.  



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18. Women and children infected with HIV or AIDS.—(1) The Central Government shall lay 

down guidelines for care, support and treatment of children infected with HIV or AIDS. 

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1) and notwithstanding 

anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Central Government, or the State 

Government as the case may be, shall take measures to counsel and provide information regarding the 

outcome of pregnancy and HIV-related treatment to the HIV infected women. 

(3) No HIV positive woman, who is pregnant, shall be subjected to sterilisation or abortion without 

obtaining her informed consent. 

CHAPTER VIII 

SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT 

19. Obligation of establishments to provide safe working environment.—Every establishment, 

engaged in the healthcare services and every such other establishment where there is a significant risk of 

occupational exposure to HIV, shall, for the purpose of ensuring safe working environment,— 

(i) provide, in accordance with the guidelines,— 

(a) Universal Precautions to all persons working in such establishment who may be 

occupationally exposed to HIV; and 

(b) training for the use of such Universal Precautions; 

(c) Post Exposure Prophylaxis to all persons working in such establishment who may be 

occupationally exposed to HIV or AIDS; and 

(ii) inform and educate all persons working in the establishment of the availability of Universal 

Precautions and Post Exposure Prophylaxis. 

20. General responsibility of establishments.—(1) The provisions of this Chapter shall be 

applicable to all establishments consisting of one hundred or more persons, whether as an employee or 

officer or member or director or trustee or manager, as the case may be: 

Provided that in the case of healthcare establishments, the provisions of this sub-section shall have the 

effect as if for the words “one hundred or more”, the words “twenty or more” had been substituted. 

(2) Every person, who is in charge of an establishment, referred to in sub-section (1), for the conduct 

of the activities of such establishment, shall ensure compliance of the provisions of this Act. 

21. Grievance redressal mechanism.—Every establishment referred to in sub-section (1) of  

section 20 shall designate such person, as it deems fit, as the Complaints Officer who shall dispose of 

complaints of violations of the provisions of this Act in the establishment, in such manner and within 

such time as may be prescribed. 

CHAPTER IX 

PROMOTION OF STRATEGIES FOR REDUCTION OF RISK 

22. Strategies for reduction of risk.—Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the 

time being in force any strategy or mechanism or technique adopted or implemented for reducing the risk 

of HIV transmission, or any act pursuant thereto, as carried out by persons, establishments or 

organisations in the manner as may be specified in the guidelines issued by the Central Government shall 

not be restricted or prohibited in any manner, and shall not amount to a criminal offence or attract civil 

liability. 

Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, strategies for reducing risk of HIV transmission means 

promoting actions or practices that minimise a person’s risk of exposure to HIV or mitigate the adverse 

impacts related to HIV or AIDS including— 

(i) the provisions of information, education and counselling services relating to prevention of 

HIV and safe practices; 

(ii) the provisions and use of safer sex tools, including condoms; 



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(iii) drug substitution and drug maintenance; and 

(iv) provision of comprehensive injection safety requirements. 

Illustrations 

(a) A supplies condoms to B who is a sex worker or to C, who is a client of B. Neither A nor B 

nor C can be held criminally or civilly liable for such actions or be prohibited, impeded, restricted or 

prevented from implementing or using the strategy. 

(b) M carries on an intervention project on HIV or AIDS and sexual health information, 

education and counselling for men, who have sex with men, provides safer sex information, material 

and condoms to N, who has sex with other men. Neither M nor N can be held criminally or civilly 

liable for such actions or be prohibited, impeded, restricted or prevented from implementing or using 

the intervention. 

(c) X, who undertakes an intervention providing registered needle exchange programme services 

to injecting drug users, supplies a clean needle to Y, an injecting drug user who exchanges the same 

for a used needle. Neither X nor Y can be held criminally or civilly liable for such actions or be 

prohibited, impeded, restricted or prevented from implementing or using the intervention. 

(d) D, who carries on an intervention programme providing Opioid Substitution Treatment 

(OST), administers OST to E, an injecting drug user. Neither D nor E can be held criminally or civilly 

liable for such actions or be prohibited, impeded, restricted or prevented from implementing or using 

the intervention. 

CHAPTER X 

APPOINTMENT OF OMBUDSMAN 

23. Appointment of Ombudsman.—(1) Every State Government shall appoint one or more 

Ombudsman,— 

(a) possessing such qualification and experience as may be prescribed, or 

(b) designate any of its officers not below such rank, as may be prescribed, by that Government, 

to exercise such powers and discharge such functions, as may be conferred on Ombudsman under this 

Act. 

(2) The terms and condition of the service of an Ombudsman appointed under clause (a) of  

sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

(3) The Ombudsman appointed under sub-section (1) shall have such jurisdiction in respect of such 

area or areas as the State Government may, by notification, specify. 

24. Powers of Ombudsman.—(1) The Ombudsman shall, upon a complaint made by any person, 

inquire into the violations of the provisions of this Act, in relation to acts of discrimination mentioned in 

section 3 and providing of healthcare services by any person, in such manner as may be prescribed by the 

State Government. 

(2) The Ombudsman may require any person to furnish information on such points or matters, as he 

considers necessary, for inquiring into the matter and any person so required shall be deemed to be legally 

bound to furnish such information and failure to do so shall be punishable under sections 176 and 177 of 

the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). 

(3) The Ombudsman shall maintain records in such manner as may be prescribed by the State 

Government.  

25. Procedure of complaint.—The complaints may be made to the Ombudsman under  

sub-section (1) of section 24 in such manner, as may be prescribed, by the State Government.  

26. Orders of Ombudsman.—The Ombudsman shall, within a period of thirty days of the receipt of 

the complaint under sub-section (1) of section 24, and after giving an opportunity of being heard to the 

parties, pass such order, as he deems fit, giving reasons therefor: 



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Provided that in cases of medical emergency of HIV positive persons, the Ombudsman shall pass 

such order as soon as possible, preferably within twenty-four hours of the receipt of the complaint. 

27. Authorities to assist Ombudsman.—All authorities including the civil authorities functioning in 

the area for which the Ombudsman has been appointed under section 23 shall assist in execution of orders 

passed by the Ombudsman. 

28. Report to State Government.—The Ombudsman shall, after every six months, report to the 

State Government, the number and nature of complaints received, the action taken and orders passed in 

relation to such complaints and such report shall be published on the website of the Ombudsman and a 

copy thereof be forwarded to the Central Government. 

CHAPTER XI 

SPECIAL PROVISIONS 

29. Right of residence.—Every protected person shall have the right to reside in the shared 

household, the right not to be excluded from the shared household or any part of it and the right to enjoy 

and use the facilities of such shared household in a non-discriminatory manner. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression “shared household” means a household 

where a person lives or at any stage has lived in a domestic relationship either singly or along with 

another person and includes such a household, whether owned or tenanted, either jointly or singly, any 

such household in respect of which either person or both, jointly or singly, have any right, title, interest or 

equity or a household which may belong to a joint family of which either person is a member, irrespective 

of whether either person has any right, title or interest in the shared household.  

30. HIV-related information, education and communication before marriage.—The Central 

Government shall specify guidelines for the provision of HIV-related information, education and 

communication before marriage and ensure their wide dissemination. 

31. Persons in care or custody of State.—(1) Every person who is in the care or custody of the State 

shall have the right to HIV prevention, counselling, testing and treatment services in accordance with the 

guidelines issued in this regard. 

(2) For the purposes of this section, persons in the care or custody of the State include persons 

convicted of a crime and serving a sentence, persons awaiting trial, person detained under preventive 

detention laws, persons under the care or custody of the State under the Juvenile Justice (Care and 

Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (56 of 2000), the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (104 of 1956) 

or any other law and persons in the care or custody of State run homes and shelters. 

32. Recognition of guardianship of older sibling.—Notwithstanding anything contained in any law 

for the time being in force, a person below the age of eighteen but not below twelve years, who has 

sufficient maturity of understanding and who is managing the affairs of his family affected by HIV and 

AIDS, shall be competent to act as guardian of other sibling below the age of eighteen years for the 

following purposes, namely:— 

(a) admission to educational establishments; 

(b) care and protection; 

(c) treatment; 

(d) operating bank accounts; 

(e) managing property; and 

(f) any other purpose that may be required to discharge his duties as a guardian. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, a family affected by HIV or AIDS means where both 

parents and the legal guardian is incapacitated due to HIV-related illness or AIDS or the legal guardian 

and parents are unable to discharge their duties in relation to such children. 

33. Living wills for guardianship and testamentary guardianship.—(1) Notwithstanding anything 

contained in any law for the time being in force, a parent or legal guardian of a child affected by HIV and 



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AIDS may appoint, by making a will, an adult person who is a relative or friend, or a person below the 

age of eighteen years who is the managing member of the family affected by HIV and AIDS, as referred 

to in section 33, to act as legal guardian immediately upon incapacity or death of such parent or legal 

guardian, as the case may be. 

(2) Nothing in this section shall divest a parent or legal guardian of their rights, and the guardianship 

referred to in sub-section (1) shall cease to operate upon by the parent or legal guardian regaining their 

capacity. 

(3) Any parent or legal guardian of children affected by HIV and AIDS may make a will appointing a 

guardian for care and protection of such children and for the property that such children would inherit or 

which is bequeathed through the will made by such parent or legal guardian. 

CHAPTER XII 

SPECIAL PROCEDURE IN COURT 

34. Suppression of identity.—(1) In any legal proceeding in which a protected person is a party or 

such person is an applicant, the court, on an application by such person or any other person on his behalf 

may pass, in the interest of justice, any or all of the following orders, namely:— 

(a) that the proceeding or any part thereof be conducted by suppressing the identity of the 

applicant by substituting the name of such person with a pseudonym in the records of the proceedings 

in such manner as may be prescribed; 

(b) that the proceeding or any part thereof may be conducted in camera; 

(c) restraining any person from publishing in any manner any matter leading to the disclosure of 

the name or status or identity of the applicant. 

(2) In any legal proceeding concerning or relating to an HIV-positive person, the court shall take up 

and dispose of the proceeding on priority basis. 

35. Maintenance applications.—In any maintenance application filed by or on behalf of a protected 

person under any law for the time being in force, the court shall consider the application for interim 

maintenance and, in passing any order of maintenance, shall take into account the medical expenses and 

other HIV-related costs that may be incurred by the applicant. 

36. Sentencing.—In passing any order relating to sentencing, the HIV-positive status of the persons 

in respect of whom such an order is passed shall be a relevant factor to be considered by the court to 

determine the custodial place where such person shall be transferred to, based on the availability of proper 

healthcare services at such place. 

CHAPTER XIII 

PENALTIES 

37. Penalty for contravention.—Notwithstanding any action that may be taken under any other law 

for the time being in force, whoever contravenes the provisions of section 4 shall be punished with 

imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to two years and 

with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both. 

38. Penalty for failure to comply with orders of Ombudsman.—Whoever fails to comply with any 

order given by an Ombudsman within such time as may be specified in such order, under section 26, shall 

be liable to pay a fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees and in case the failure continues, with an 

additional fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such failure 

continues. 

39. Penalty for breach of confidentiality in legal proceedings.—Notwithstanding any action that 

may be taken under any law for the time being in force, whoever discloses information regarding the HIV 

status of a protected person which is obtained by him in the course of, or in relation to, any proceedings 

before any court, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees unless such 

disclosure is pursuant to any order or direction of a court.  



15 
 

40. Prohibition of victimisation.—No person shall subject any other person or persons to any 

detriment on the ground that such person or persons have taken any of the following actions, namely:— 

(a) made complaint under this Act; 

(b) brought proceedings under this Act against any person; 

(c) furnished any information or produced any document to a person exercising or performing 

any power or function under this Act; or 

(d) appeared as a witness in a proceeding under this Act. 

41. Court to try offences.—No court other than the court of a Judicial Magistrate First Class shall 

take cognizance of an offence under this Act. 

42. Offences to be cognizable and bailable.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of 

Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), offences under this Act shall be cognizable and bailable. 

CHAPTER XIV 

MISCELLANEOUS 

43. Act to have overriding effect.—The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding 

anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time in force or in any instrument 

having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act. 

44. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall 

lie against the Central Government, the State Government, the Central Government or AIDS Control 

Society of the State Government Ombudsman or any member thereof or any officer or other employee or 

person acting under the direction either of the Central Government, the State Government, the Central 

Government, or Ombudsman in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in 

pursuance of this Act or any rules or guidelines made thereunder or in respect of the publication by or 

under the authority of the Central Government, the State Government, the Central Government or AIDS 

Control Society of the State Government Ombudsman. 

45. Delegation of powers.—The Central Government and State Government, as the case may be, 

may, by general or special order, direct that any power exercisable by it under this Act shall, in such 

circumstances and under such conditions, if any, as may be mentioned in the order, be exercisable also by 

an officer subordinate to that Government or the local authority. 

46. Guidelines.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make guidelines consistent with 

this Act and any rules thereunder, generally to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such guidelines may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) information relating to risk and benefits or alternatives to the proposed intervention under 

clause (n) of section 2; 

(b) the manner of obtaining the informed consent under sub-section (1) and the manner of pre test 

and post test counselling under sub-section (2) of section 5; 

(c) guidelines to be followed by a testing or diagnostic centre or pathology laboratory or blood 

bank for HIV test under section 7; 

(d) the manner of taking data protection measures under section 11; 

(e) guidelines in respect of protocols for HIV/AIDS relating to Anti-retroviral Therapy and 

Opportunistic Infections Management under sub-section (2) of section 14; 

(f) care, support and treatment of children infected with HIV or AIDS under sub-section (1) of 

section 18; 

(g) guidelines for Universal Precautions and post exposure prophylaxis under section 19; 

(h) manner of carrying out the strategy or mechanism or technique for reduction of risk of HIV 

transmission under section 22; 



16 
 

(i) manner of implementation of a drugs substitution, drug maintenance and needle and syringe 

exchange programme under section 22; 

(j) provision of HIV-related information, education and communication before marriage under 

section 30; 

(k) manner of HIV or AIDS prevention, counselling, testing and treatment of persons in custody 

under section 31; 

(l) any other matter which ought to be specified in guidelines for the purposes of this Act. 

47. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by 

notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such rules may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) manner of notifying model HIV or AIDS policy for the establishments under section 12; 

(b) any other matter which may be or ought to be prescribed by the Central Government. 

48. Laying of rules before both Houses of Parliament.—Every rule made under this Act shall be 

laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total 

period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and 

if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive session aforesaid, 

both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be 

made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may 

be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of 

anything previously done under that rule. 

49. Power of State Government to make rules and laying thereof.—(1) The State Government 

may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act. 

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) measures to provide diagnostic facilities relating to HIV or AIDS, Antiretroviral Therapy and 

Opportunistic Infection Management to people living with HIV or AIDS and for the prevention of 

spread of HIV or AIDS in accordance with the guidelines under section 14; 

(b) qualification and experience for the appointment of a person as an Ombudsman under  

clause (a) or rank of officer of the State Government to be designated as Ombudsman under  

clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 23; 

(c) terms and conditions of services of Ombudsman under sub-section (2) of section 23; 

(d) manner of inquiring into complaints by the Ombudsman under sub-section (1) and 

maintaining of records by him under sub-section (3) of section 24; 

(e) manner of making the complaints to the Ombudsman under section 25; and 

(f) manner of recording pseudonym in legal proceedings under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of 

section 34. 

(3) Every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be, after it 

is made before the Legislature of that State. 

50. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 

this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, 

not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty: 

Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of the period of two years 

from the date of commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each 

House of Parliament.