Will HIV testing become mandatory before marriage? Govt mulling new law
Harvinder Kaur
Chandigarh, July 25, 2025:Amid a concerning rise in HIV/AIDS cases, the Meghalaya government is considering introducing a new law to make mandatory HIV testing before marriage a legal requirement. Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh shared the development on Friday, July 25, highlighting the urgent need for preventive action.
“If Goa has made testing compulsory, why shouldn’t Meghalaya have its own set of laws? These laws would benefit the larger community,” Lyngdoh told PTI. “The state is mentally prepared to take strong actions,” she added.
Meghalaya currently ranks sixth in India for HIV/AIDS prevalence, with the northeastern region bearing a particularly high burden, according to Lyngdoh.
The Health Minister’s statement followed a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, attended by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh and eight MLAs from East Khasi Hills district.
The meeting focused on drafting a comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy in mission mode, aimed at curbing the spread of the disease and strengthening community health safeguards.
The Health Minister said that the biggest reason for the spread of HIV is unprotected sex. However, cases related to injection drug use are also gradually increasing. He also said that 159 people have lost their lives due to lack of ART (antiretroviral therapy).
Once this proposed law is implemented, Meghalaya will become the second state in the country where HIV testing will be mandatory before marriage. Experts believe that this step could prove to be very important in the field of social health.